‘Popular Theory’ combines geniuses, nerds, and popularity

Category: Movies

In a cute story about how being a genius might be a detriment to popularity in high school, it can also be what makes a person special. Erwin (Sophia Reid-Gantzert) is just that. She’s a bonafide genius and at 12-years-old has skipped four grades, and is the youngest student in her high school class at Magnolia High, which, by the way, is the same class as her older sister Ari (Chloe East). Their mother died years ago and now their father relies on his sister Tammy (Cheryl Hines) to help raise the girls, who are as different as night and day. Ari sits with the popular girls and is obsessed with boys, and Erwin sits alone and is obsessed with science.

Erwin, who was named after the famed physicist Erwin Schrödinger, lives for science. Her isolation in the family and in school really doesn’t bother her as she has her science to keep her company. Being the smartest student in her class makes her happy, but then a new genius joins the class.Winston (Lincoln Lambert) is 13-years-old and a chemistry genius. His arrival sets off an immediate competition between the two young classmates.

When the science fair is announced, both kids want to win the prestigious summer scholarship dedicated to tech and science scholars. They each set out to create the most impressive experiment. Along the way they decide to join forces and present an amazing formula which they diligently worked on together.

Their formula makes people popular. By creating a concoction that affects pheromones in the human body, then dosing gum with it, the user becomes popular and at times irresistible to others. To test their project they select two nerds who have no friends but are eager to be among the popular students. Casey (Kat Conner Sterling) is the true definition of a geek. And Alan (Varak Baronian) is another unpopular guy who just doesn’t fit in with the others. 

Lo and behold, once they chew the gum they become what they have always wanted – to be popular. But with popularity comes responsibility, which they eventually learn.

In the meantime, Erwin and Winston’s friendship grows and they find that they have a true fellowship. There is no more competition. After all, the school has enough room for two geniuses. They each have their own quirks – Winston is a germaphobe/hypochondriac, and Erwin is happy talking to her poster of Schrödinger. Together they discover a bond that no one else can understand, except perhaps other geniuses.

This is like looking into the childhoods of Leonard, Sheldon, and Howard of The Big Bang Theory (and Young Sheldon, which does exactly that). Intelligence no longer has to mean nerd. People have come to embrace these characters and hopefully the real kids who have higher IQs than their fellow classmates. Raise your hand if you were one of them.

Popular Theory is rated PG for thematic elements. Its main audience will be the 10-18 age group, however it is a cute show for the entire family. Catch Popular Theory in a theater near you.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.