 | A Beautiful Mind Starring: Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, Ed Harris, Christopher Plummer |
Director Ron Howard's "A Beautiful Mind" is a powerful, heroic tale of one man's battle with the ravages of schizophrenia. Based on the book by Sylvia Nasar, "A Beautiful Mind" deals with the life of Nobel Prize winning mathematician John Forbes Nash Jr. (Crowe). Ron Howard, who has never been known as a great stylist, has succeeded in telling a difficult story with great craftsmanship and sensitivity. As director, he has approached this film with a point of view that allows him to tell his ambitious story with great strength and compassion while delivering two of the finest screen performances of the year (Crowe and Connelly). In addition to a compelling story and beautiful cinematography of Roger Deakins, Howard presents the disease of schizophrenia with a refreshing enlightenment that gives the movie great cinematic force. The film begins as Nash attends graduate school at Princeton in 1947. His erratic, arrogant behaviour was accepted and tolerated as just another brilliant, eccentric genius. As yet, his schizophrenia was undiagnosed within the protective environment of Academia. Eventually Nash will create a theory that destroys 150 years of previous economical thinking. In 1994 he will win the Nobel Peace Prize for his Equilibrium theory. We follow Nash through Princeton, his important professorship at MIT, and his love affair with his soon to be wife, Alicia (Connelly), a young physics student. His life begins to deteriorate as he begins working for a shadowy figure called Parcher (Harris), an important man with the Department of Defense. His top-secret work, as a code breaker for the Department becomes a turning point in his rapid decline. When finally diagnosed with schizophrenia, Nash is haunted night and day by demons and delusions. His wife remains by his side as they both go through the hell of this crippling mental torture. Nash is ruined. Through great strength, mental determination, and the deep love of Alicia, Nash slowly comes to terms with his disease and begins to function. While far too dark to be a "feel good" film, it's a remarkable journey of courage. Crowe is at his best. His portrayal of Nash is credible and moving. Not since "The Insider" have I seen Crowe so totally slip into character. He makes full use of mannerisms, body movements and facial expressions to bring dimension to Nash. Connelly, as Alicia, delivers the most impressive performance of her career. The chemistry between Crowe and Connelly breathes life and energy into this film. We could be talking Oscars for both. While much has been made about the screenplay not reflecting the true Nash with warts and all, it all seems so petty when the final effect of the film is so moving. This isn't an autobiography of Nash. It's a story of one man coming to terms with his demons and to that, the film is more than honest. Look for "A Beautiful Mind" to walk away with more than a few Oscars. |