A Beautiful Mind (2001)

Director:

Ron Howard

Writers (WGA):

Sylvia Nasar (book)
Akiva Goldsman (written by)

Release Date:

4 January 2002 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama

Tagline:

The Only Thing Greater Than the Power of the Mind is the Courage of the Heart

Plot:

After a brilliant but asocial mathematician accepts secret work in cryptography, his life takes a turn to the nightmarish.

Plot Keywords:

Dating | Shock Therapy | Loner | Ivy League | Prank

Awards:

Won 4 Oscars. Another 27 wins & 48 nominations

Cast

Russell Crowe	...	John Nash
Ed Harris	...	Parcher
Jennifer Connelly	...	Alicia Nash
Christopher Plummer	...	Dr. Rosen
Paul Bettany	...	Charles
Adam Goldberg	...	Sol
Josh Lucas	...	Hansen
Anthony Rapp	...	Bender
Jason Gray-Stanford	...	Ainsley
Judd Hirsch	...	Helinger
Austin Pendleton	...	Thomas King
Vivien Cardone	...	Marcee
Jillie Simon	...	Bar Co-Ed (as Jill M. Simon)
Victor Steinbach	...	Prof. Horner
Tanya Clarke	...	Becky

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for intense thematic material, sexual content and a scene of violence.

Runtime:

135 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Canada:PG (Alberta) | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) | Malaysia:U | Philippines:PG-13 | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Brazil:12 | Finland:K-11 | France:U | Germany:12 | Hong Kong:IIA | Hungary:14 | Ireland:12 | Netherlands:12 | Norway:11 | Peru:14 | Singapore:PG | South Korea:12 | Spain:T | Sweden:11 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:12 (canton of the Grisons) | UK:12 | USA:PG-13 (certificate #38595) | Iceland:12

Filming Locations:

Bayonne, New Jersey, USA

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

According to a 2001 Entertainment Weekly article on this film, the filmmakers originally wanted to mention Nash's homosexuality, but they feared the film would make the wrong connection between homosexuality and schizophrenia, so they abandoned it. This connection, according to the article, was based on several now-discredited psychological studies that first appeared in the late 1950s.

Goofs:

Factual errors: Even if the audience at the Nobel Prize ceremony would give a laureate a standing ovation, the Swedish King and his family, who sit on stage to the right, would never, ever rise.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Helinger: Mathematicians won the war. Mathematicians broke the Japanese codes... and built the A-bomb. Mathematicians... like you. The stated goal of the Soviets is global Communism. In medicine or economics, in technology or space, battle lines are being drawn...

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Janji Joni (2005)

Soundtrack:

Piano Sonata No. 11 in A Major, K. 331

Review - A Beautiful Mind (2001)

One of the greatest minds of our economical history was born in 1928. John Forbes Nash (Russell Crowe) went to school at Princeton University, where he met his best friend Charles Herman (Paul Bettany) and, later as a teacher, his wife Alicia (Jennifer Connelly). He later went on to work for a secret military operation run bye William Parcher (Ed Harris) and eventually win the Nobel Prize. His mathematical and economical work, and more importantly his personal life, are all covered in the Best Picture winning film "A Beautiful Mind." The film follows Nash and his battle with schizophrenia throughout his life in a formulaic fashion not unlike a math problem. Though the film does make up a lot of material, it does not seem to matter, because the film works as a great story in honor of the man's life. The characters are emotional and deep, which really brings out the humanistic qualities in them.

The cinematography is one of the most clever and exciting aspects of the film. The way the film shows us how Nash's mind works is very unique and inspiring. His development as a character is mirrored by the development of the way we see him develop. The camera-work draws you in and does not let go throughout the film.

Another quality that makes this film one of the greatest ever is its score. The music is one of the most beautiful scores to date. The mood and the emotion that is brought out through the score brings the film to new heights and embraces the true beauty of Nash's mind.

"A Beautiful Mind" brings to light the effects of schizophrenia in a way that makes you not feel sorry for this particular victim, but rather joyful and inspired by the way it is handled. This is one of the greatest films ever made, and is a definite "must-see" for anybody who enjoys film, as well as anybody that does not.

Acting: 10/10 Writing: 9/10 Video/Editing: 9/10 Audio/Music: 10/10 Enjoyment: 10/10 Final Score: 9.6/10