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Film Review - Beautiful Mind, A

A Beautiful Mind is simply a beautiful movie. The story of Dr. John Nash, a mathematical genius who doesn't get along with most people. Nash is pompous, yet very gifted, but it also turns out he is a paranoid-schizophrenic. His mind makes up people who compose horrible scenarios.

Now everyone is going to tell you that is what the story is about. No, that's only the set up. The real story is about how Nash refused drug treatment for his disease and instead uses his mind to solve the problem. He knows young Marcee isn't real because she doesn't age. This is how he works the problem. Although he continues to see Marcee, her Uncle and a CIA agent, he knows they aren't real and learns to ignore them.

This too is a love story. Alicia Nash is also having to deal with John's dilutions. She has her moments of anger, and self pity. But she also sees that this is the man she loves. When she has the chance to sign papers committing John to an institution, she chooses to believe him when he says he can beat this with his mind.

The story of these two make this a great movie. There are a few scenes in the middle that make you wonder if the ending is going to be a downer, but these are only included to build the real scope of John's problem. After these scenes we see the John's real life work isn't the paper he won the Nobel Prize for, but his effort in beating the disease and re-connecting to real people.

I need to take a moment to speak about Russell Crowe. I honestly was not impressed with Crowe's performance in Gladiator. I did not find the performance worthy of a best actor nod. But I've got to say that this year, he's done it. Crowe's identity is completely lost in the person of John Nash. He is simply not Russell Crowe on the screen. An Academy Award this year is due.

I believe the same is due for Director Ron Howard. This film could have been a depressing mess. Howard pulls from the material the real story. The struggle against schizophrenia, and the belief by Nash's wife. These are worth our time. There's a great message here in belief of the human spirit that you don't see in many films. And since this is a true story, it is even more amazing.

This picture may very well be the best of 2001. It was a poor year for films, but that doesn't take away from just how good this one is.

No Suction!

Film Facts

Cast

Directed by Ron Howard

Released in 2001

MPAA Rating: PG-13

Reviewed by Mongo