A Beautiful Mind (2001)

User Rating:

7.9/10   

Director:

Ron Howard

Writers (WGA):

Akiva Goldsman (written by)
Sylvia Nasar (book)

Release Date:

4 January 2002 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama

Tagline:

The Only Thing Greater Than the Power of the Mind is the Courage of the Heart

Plot:

After a brilliant but asocial mathematician accepts secret work in cryptography, his life takes a turn to the nightmarish.

Plot Keywords:

Nobel Prize | School | Student | Princeton | Mathematics

Awards:

Won 4 Oscars. Another 27 wins & 49 nominations

Cast

Russell Crowe	...	John Nash
Ed Harris	...	Parcher
Jennifer Connelly	...	Alicia Nash
Christopher Plummer	...	Dr. Rosen
Paul Bettany	...	Charles
Adam Goldberg	...	Sol
Josh Lucas	...	Hansen
Anthony Rapp	...	Bender
Jason Gray-Stanford	...	Ainsley
Judd Hirsch	...	Helinger
Austin Pendleton	...	Thomas King
Vivien Cardone	...	Marcee
Jillie Simon	...	Bar Co-Ed (as Jill M. Simon)
Victor Steinbach	...	Professor Horner
Tanya Clarke	...	Becky

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for intense thematic material, sexual content and a scene of violence.

Runtime:

135 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Malaysia:U | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:PG (Alberta) | Philippines:PG-13 | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Brazil:12 | Finland:K-11 | France:U | Germany:12 | Hong Kong:IIA | Hungary:14 | Ireland:12 | Netherlands:12 | Norway:11 | Peru:14 | Singapore:PG | South Korea:12 | Spain:T | Sweden:11 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:12 (canton of the Grisons) | UK:12 | USA:PG-13 (certificate #38595) | Iceland:12

Filming Locations:

Bayonne, New Jersey, USA

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

The film was shot in sequence in order to help Russell Crowe develop a consistently progressing manner of behavior.

Goofs:

Factual errors: There is no "ceremony of the pens" at Princeton University.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Helinger: Mathematicians won the war. Mathematicians broke the Japanese codes... and built the A-bomb. Mathematicians... like you. The stated goal of the Soviets is global Communism. In medicine or economics, in technology or space, battle lines are being drawn...

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Law & Order: Criminal Intent: Bright Boy (#2.2)" (2002)

Soundtrack:

Columba aspexit

Direction makes it beautiful

"A Beautiful Mind" is an exceptional story, but it is only and exceptional film because of its director. Ron Howard does an amazing job of engaging his audience, introducing a brilliant main character, and making the audience experience the reality of mental illness. This could have been an unbelievable story to which very people could relate; however, the directorial mastery Howard exhibits throughout allows the audience to accompany Nash on his journey and awareness of his illness. Anyone who has been close to the frailties of the human mind will appreciate how respectfully and honestly this film approaches the subject. Howard is able to portray all the complex reactions to mental illness while maintaining the humanity and dignity of the patient. Superbly directed, wonderfully acted by Crowe and cast, this film succeeds on every level.