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DVD A Beautiful Mind (Full Screen Awards Edition)
A Beautiful Mind manages to twist enough pathos out of John Nash's incredible life story to redeem an at-times goofy portrayal of schizophrenia. Russell Crowe tackles the role with characteristic fervor, playing the Nobel prize-winning mathematician from his days at Princeton, where he developed a groundbreaking economic theory, to his meteoric rise to the cover of Forbes magazine and an MIT professorship, and on through to his eventual dismissal due to schizophrenic delusions. Of course, it is the delusions that fascinate director Ron Howard and, predictably, go astray. Nash's other world, populated as it is by a maniacal Department of Defense agent (Ed Harris), an imagined college roommate who seems straight out of Dead Poets Society, and an orphaned girl, is so fluid and scriptlike as to make the viewer wonder if schizophrenia is really as slick as depicted. Crowe's physical intensity drags us along as he works admirably to carry the film on his considerable shoulders. No doubt the story of Nash's amazing will to recover his life without the aid of medication is a worthy one, his eventual triumph heartening. Unfortunately, Howard's flashy style is unable to convey much of it. --Fionn Meade
Review(s): DVD A Beautiful Mind (Full Screen Awards Edition)
Delighted and Cheated!
The acting of Russel Crowe was truly intriguing and absorbing--a magnificent performance! So was Jennifer Connely's! And so were some of the minor performers.
But I found the story greatly lacking in plot. There were few turns, twists, surprises, ups, and downs, nor did I find in the Nash character a strong desire to overcome his schizophrenia, which was making his life miserable. I would like to have seen more angry determination and striving on his part to overcome this mental disease. But he seems to be so indifferent about it that I became just as indifferent as to whether he would ever be cured.
The causes of Nash's schizophrenia are neither explored nor understood--the disorder is just there--so we never get a chance to really understand why this brilliant mathametician has fallen into a world of delusion. What had happened in his childhood (or adulthood) that aroused these delusions? What can I and others avoid to not fall into the same dark well? Therefore, we have lots of activity here, but it does not teach us what we may do to avoid the same pitfall Nash fell into.
What I most disliked is the deceptive way the script was written--making the audience believe that Mr. Nash was actually under scrutiny and attack by Russian spies because of his knowledge of code-breaking. This was super hokey! The story plays as if this were a FACT, but we learn later, about 3/5ths into the film, that Nash is IMAGINING all this, that the three people he talks to--CIA guy, college chum, and little girl--are just figments of his imagination.
The suspense aroused in the audience was all false because those three people didn't really exist. But the screenwriter made you think they did exist in order to create a false sense of danger and to create more interest in the story and main character. Since the movie had NO REAL DANGER, and since danger sells popcorn, when the truth was revealed, I felt cheated and betrayed by the moviemakers because they used a trick to gain my attention rather than a truely dangerous situation. At that point my suspension of disbelief ended and I could not help feeling that I was watching a movie whose director and writer were trying to falsely manipulate and control my attention because they had no compelling story plot.
Believe something Extraordinary is possible...
A BEAUTIFUL mind is based loosely on life of JOHN NASH, the Nobel Peace Prize winning mathematician. And it is sturdy and aesthetic filmmaking in the hands of one-time child actor Ron Howard ("Opie" Taylor in THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW). Howard has had a mixed record in his film-directing career. His successes (APOLLO 13, COCOON) and his failures (THE PAPER) all share an optimistic point of view with his latest opus.
Russell Crowe commits a wonderful performance as the Schizophrenic Nash over the course of forty years. The only thing better than Crowe's performance is that of his supporting co-star Jennifer Connelly as his supportive wife. She's come a long way since her role in LABYRINTH. Their undeniable chemistry is apparent throughout, and a night under the stars is purely magical. Like its main character, the film has two different realities. And that alternate reality allows for another solid performance by Ed Harris (THE ABYSS).
A BEAUTIFUL MIND is a great film with an optimistic attitude often missing from critical successes. With A BEAUTIFUL MIND, Howard who spent a lot of time as Richie Cunningham on HAPPY DAYS has crafted his best film to date!
Truly a Beautiful Mind Indeed
Having suffered from an illness similiar to Doctor Nash this film was recommended to me by a friend in the mental health profession.
Basically telling the story of John Nash- a brilliant but socially incapable man who just happens to be one of the most gifted mathematicians of the 20th century- this movie stands out in its compelling but thoughtful retelling of the personal madness Nash went through from early in his career to his marriage to Alicia and his subsequent mental breakdown. Through the love and unwavering devotion of his wife Nash was able to combat these inner demons until at last he re-entered the world of mathemtatics as a contributing member of society following a 20 year hiatus. Crowe and Connolly never looked their best as they did when they accepted the invitation of director-producer Ron Howard to bring this amazing and true story to the screens.
Thank you Ron.
If you are interested in learning the truth about schizophrenia purchase A Beautiful Mind today. Don't believe the lies told you by the media.
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