2001, 2 hrs 5 min., Rated PG-13 for intense thematic material, sexual content and a scene of violence.�Dir: Ron Howard. Cast: Russell Crowe (John Forbes Nash Jr.), Jennifer Connelly (Alicia Nash), Ed Harris (Parcher), Paul Bettany (Charles), Vivien Cardone (Marcee), Adam Goldberg (Sol), Josh Lucas (Martin Hansen), Anthony Rapp (Bender), Christopher Plummer (Dr. Rosen), Judd Hirsch.

Perhaps by accident, or even design, A Beautiful Mind unfolds like a math equation: Seemingly comprehendible at the start, puzzling in the middle but simple and straightforward in its answer.

Going in, I wasn't familiar with anything about John Forbes Nash, Jr., to my discredit as a history buff and someone who prides himself on knowing, or trying to know, a little about everything in the world today. But, following any good movie based on historical truth should encourage, I have a yearning to learn more about the life of Nash beyond what the film may have shown, because a Hollywood picture can never be relied on as pure fact.

A Beautiful Mind is about Nash, once called "the most promising young mathematician in the world," whose theorems revolutionized the field of economics in the 1950s. His 'original idea' was really several ideas, and thus was recognized by the scholarly world as one of America's most brilliant academics. But Nash was also a complex creature who had a "chip on both shoulders," and in general didn't like people. When he developed other, odder, characteristics is really when he made a name for himself, for better and worse.

This film is surely to garner many award nominations this winter. It is a deep movie, with a range of emotions that keeps the audience wondering, and moved. Part of this is that while the subject matter for is very serious there is some humor, if uncomfortable. And there are surprises for those who don't know the life of Nash, which is probably 98.1% of the viewing public.

Russell Crowe has found an almost sure-fire Oscar vehicle in his portrayal of Nash, and yanks you in all directions as to how you view the man. As a friend of Nash notes in the film, Crowe's acting lets you decide, "what's the difference between genius and 'most genius'."

The audience can sympathize a bit with him in the beginning, where Nash feels that only having a truly original idea will make him matter, and in this pursuit allows himself to be mocked and teased.

As usual, revolutionary thought (regarding his economic theory) comes from time spent at a bar with the buds imbibing alcoholic ale and playing pool. I guess if you want to explain Non-Cooperative Game Theory easily, what better way than showing the layperson that it would enable all friends around the table to get laid, whereas none of them would if they fought over one woman they can't have, rather than the friends of the girl they have a chance to date.

"I would not dare to say that there is a direct relation between mathematics and madness, but there is no doubt that great mathematicians suffer from maniacal characteristics, delirium and symptoms of schizophrenia." - Nash on his condition, which no doubt contributed to him not getting all the help he needed.

As his love-interest, Jennifer Connelly's Alicia civilizes Nash, to her own detriment at times mentally and emotionally. You wonder how she could fall for such a man, especially with such a direct method for courtship. As for her acting, Connelly may seem to emote a bit much, but not enough to deny that she did a good job.

Director Ron Howard is known for uncomplicated story-telling (Apollo 13) and not delving too deeply into the characters' psyche, but I give him acknowledgment in A Beautiful Mind for playing with mine. I did feel an understanding with Nash as the movie progressed, and found it interesting how Howard illuminates Nash's thoughts on codes that otherwise would illicit a furrowed brow.

Actually, reading his bio, it seems that Howard did chicken out on some controversial storylines of Nash's life. While disappointing for history's sake, I can also understand that Howard, whether in order to protect his audience or just tighten the script, just didn't want to get into every maelstrom of his protagonist's life.

For those who would like to know more, you can begin here.

Meanwhile, watch out for A Beautiful Mind to sweep through awards season, and rightly so.

The verdict:
HOME   |   Back to Jeff's Movie Reviews