A Beautiful Mind Review
by Laura Clifford (laura AT reelingreviews DOT com)December 20th, 2001
A BEAUTIFUL MIND
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John Forbes Nash Jr. (Russell Crowe, "Gladiator") was quirky, socially inept, egoistical and a mathematical genius at Princeton University in 1947. His paper on game theory, developed observing his peers pursue a blonde, challenged
ideas established for 150 years. He triumphed again a few years later when one
of his MIT students, the beautiful Alicia Larde (Jennifer Connelly, "Requiem for a Dream"), falls for and agrees to marry him. Her love is the only thing that keeps his genius afloat when he's diagnosed with schizophrenia in director
Ron Howard's "A Beautiful Mind."
Director Howard is sure to finally gain an Oscar nomination for this, his most stylish film to date. Emotionally resonant and featuring outstanding performances, "A Beautiful Mind" is one of 2001's best films.
The film begins in 1947 on the Princeton campus, where Nash is established as an oddball genius out of left field (West Virginia in fact). Obsessed with patterns, Nash recreates the design of a classmate's tie reflecting light through glass and charts the movements of pigeons as they vie for food. Challenged to a game by nemesis classmate Hansen (Josh Lucas, "The Deep End"),
Nash is shocked and becomes churlish upon losing, insisting the game must be flawed. Only his roommate Charles Herman (Paul Bettany, "A Knight's Tale") is able to extend any sympathy or understanding, frequently luring Nash away from his studies for a pizza and beer break.
After his breakthrough paper and years at Princeton, Nash accepts a post at M.I.T., which requires some teaching - a chore he considers a waste of time. Instead Nash becomes enthralled with the top secret research assignment
he's given by shadowy government agent William Parcher (Ed Harris, "Pollock").
Herman arrives on the scene with an English post at Harvard and his orphaned 8 year old niece Marcee (newcomer Vivien Cardone), and loner Nash once again has a social life.
Meanwhile, student Alicia has initiated romance (she's one of the few entranced by his mind and not turned off by his blunt words) and captivated Nash and the two wed, against Parcher's warning that Nash's potentially dangerous work is better suited to a single lifestyle. No sooner has Alicia become pregnant, than Nash is involved in a dangerous shootout. When he tries to leave the project, Parcher threatens exposing him to the Russians, and the stress of the situation results in the breakdown that will lead doctors to a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Only Alicia's strength and love will help Nash regain a life.
How ironic that Russell Crowe won his Oscar last year for "Gladiator" when he preceded that with a superior performance in "The Insider," and now tops that with his John Nash. While initially, his performance seems too twitchy and tic-oriented, he quickly gets into the man's skin and disappears. He walks the line that makes his character brusque and aloof, yet fascinating enough that it's believable a beautiful woman would be interested in him. Every emotion, from panic to bemusement, through arrogance
and humility is brilliantly executed as his character ages almost fifty years.
Equally good is Jennifer Connelly, whose love is always challenged but ultimately rewarded. Each period of their relationship makes new demands of the actress and she meets them head on in a fearless performance. Paul Bettany gives another charming turn as Nash's only true friend while Josh Lucas' Hansen is given a surprising character arc that the actor grows along with. Adam Goldberg ("Saving Private Ryan") makes a quiet impression as a Princeton alumnus who becomes Nash's assistant and Alicia's confidante.
Cinematographer Roger Deakins ("The Man Who Wasn't There") missteps initially, washing out initial Princeton scenes in a ghastly yellow, but rebounds capturing the remaining decades in styles befitting their periods. Editors Mike Hill and Dan Hanley make the perfect choices, letting the audience visit Nash's mental arena (subtle special effects highlight the patterns Nash sees in everyday objects) while keeping the outside perspective of surrounding characters.
Costume Designer Rita Tyack uses vintage clothing to dress Alicia with spectacular results. Aging makeup for Crowe is flawless, although less successful for Connelly.
Ron Howard has delivered his masterwork in "A Beautiful Mind."
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