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A Beautiful Mind 2001 |
Review by Jonathan Cornwell |
Directed by Ron Howard
PG-13, 132 min. (mature themes, sexuality, mild violence) |
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Starring: Russell Crowe, Ed Harris, Jennifer Connelly, Paul Bettany, Adam Goldberg, Vivien Cardone, Judd Hirsch, Josh Lucas, Anthony Rapp, Christopher Plummer
Producers: Ron Howard, Brian Grazer
Screenplay: Akiva Goldsman
Cinematography: Roger Deakins
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Released: 12.21.01 (Limited), 1.04.02 (Wide) |
Rating:
 (out of ) |
Compare A Beautiful Mind to the also recently released The Majestic, and you begin to understand the way to
film an effectively-enthralling character study, and the way not to. While the latter is a bloated, sugar-coated contrivance, the
former is an unforced, wonderfully-acted near classic that leaves you optimistic about the human spirit and Hollywood's ability
to still get it right once in a while. Brilliantly directed by Ron Howard, A Beautiful Mind leaves you in a near tearful state,
a good example of what perseverance and belief in yourself can achieve. The film tells the story of John Forbes Nash Jr.,
a Princeton professor that conquers a debilitating disease, schizophrenia, and receives the Nobel Prize in 1994 for his
groundbreaking economic theories he developed earlier as a student at Princeton. Sure to garner several Oscar nominations,
including a Best Actor for Russell Crowe and a Best Actress for Jennifer Connelly, I wouldn't be surprised to see A Beautiful
Mind walk away with this year's Oscar for Best Picture.
John Nash (Russell Crowe), arrives at Princeton in 1947 as a mathematics whiz kid, determined to make a name for
himself as someone who came up with that "one original idea" to make him famous. Although at first disillusioned and
unsuccessful, with the encouragement of his roommate, Charles (Paul Bettany), Nash comes up with a truly original theory.
After his remarkable achievement is realized, he becomes a professor at M.I.T., where he secretly works as a code-breaker
for the U.S. government, represented by William Parcher (Ed Harris). It's here where he meets the love of his love,
Alicia (Jennifer Connelly), and eventually marries her. Soon his life begins to unravel, as, bit by bit, he is plunged into an
alternate self-imagined reality, landing him in a psychiatric hospital with the diagnosis of advanced schizophrenia. His slow,
painstaking recovery to a somewhat normal life is threatened by his own stubborn will to fight his disease without his
doctor's (Christopher Plummer) prescribed medications.
Ron Howard emphasizes family over professional success, as evidenced by the film's stubbornness to deviate from its
theme - one of recovery through the support and care of a loved one. Though the film flirts with various subplots, it wisely
stays the course, ever aware of the peril that awaits any tempting contrivances. The film is not a strict monograph of
Nash's life, but it's accurate enough to envelop the spirit of Nash's journey to near normalcy. Nash's struggle is accompanied
by his wife's unwavering support to conquer his disability. Alicia is really at the heart of the film - the viewer can readily
identify with her, which makes the film take on a greater sense of purpose than otherwise possible. It's her battle, but it's
also ours - we are there every step of the way.
Although Russell Crowe won last year's Best Actor Oscar for his entertaining portrayal of Maximus in Gladiator, it's not in
the same league with his gritty performance in The Insider or his astoundingly effective depiction of Nash here. It's
entirely possible Crowe will win another Oscar with his effort, making him one of only two actors to win back-to-back Best Actor Oscars (Tom
Hanks is the other). Crowe is painfully malleable in his part, stretching himself farther than we've previously seen. He seems
geniunely confused, frightened, angry, and betrayed by his own mind. He may be a genius, but also learns it comes with a
devastating price. Watching his climb out of insanity is thoroughly convincing and rewarding.
Not to be outdone is Jennifer Connelly, whose meteoric rise to one of Hollywood's better actresses in a few short years is
truly amazing. Her work in the gut-wrenching Requiem for a Dream, one of last year's best films, proves she has the talent
and determination to be successful, and her portrayal of Alicia is heartbreakingly effective. She gives herself completely to
the role, imbuing Alicia with a strong, powerfully-wielded grit to make her marraige (and love) work. For her effort, anything short of
an Oscar nomination from the Academy will be a travesty.
A Beautiful Mind harkens back to the golden days of Hollywood, when films were made with meticulous care and an associated
pride with every endeavor. Its solid construction, script, and acting should be the blueprint for any movie studio executive,
thereby increasing the number of worthwhile features in the theater each year. Alas, it may be just a pipe dream, but I can
always hope can't I? This is thorough entertainment, but with a message that hits its mark on those paying attention. Love,
determination, and pure drive can elevate one above their hardships, and in the process inspire those around them.
A Beautiful Mind is a triumph in every sense of the word.
© 2002 Jonathan Cornwell
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 |
 | Masterpiece - Film perfection |
 | Excellent - A Must See |
| Good - Highly Recommended |
| Fair - Worth seeing |
| Average - Viewable, but not recommended |
| Below average - View at own risk |
| Poor - Avoid at all costs |
| Very poor - An embarassment to the film industry |
| Zero | Awful - One of the worst films ever made |
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