A Beautiful Mind (2001)

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

Director:

Ron Howard

Writers:

Akiva Goldsman, Sylvia Nasar (book)

Stars:

Russell Crowe, Ed Harris, Jennifer Connelly

Top Rated Movies #136 | Won 4 Oscars. Another 33 wins & 68 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

Storyline

From the heights of notoriety to the depths of depravity, John Forbes Nash, Jr. experienced it all. A mathematical genius, he made an astonishing discovery early in his career and stood on the brink of international acclaim. But the handsome and arrogant Nash soon found himself on a painful and harrowing journey of self-discovery. After many years of struggle, he eventually triumphed over his tragedy, and finally - late in life - received the Nobel Prize.

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Plot Keywords:

mathematician | mental illness | nobel prize | conspiracy | game theory | 

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Taglines:

It is only in the mysterious equation of love that any logical reasons can be found.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

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

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Universal [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 January 2002 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Beautiful Mind

Filming Locations:

Bayonne, New Jersey, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$58,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$367,151, 23 December 2001

Gross USA:

$170,742,341

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$316,791,257

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, DreamWorks, Imagine Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

135 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Rachel Weisz was offered the role of Alicia Nash and turned it down. She later played a famous mathematician herself in Agora (2009).

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Goofs

When Nash and Parcher are walking to the warehouse the wide shot so well lit shows the right side of the stairway they pass as lit from behind the left wall. On the tighter shot when they actually cross in front of that stairway there is no light on the wall at all. Then in the wide shot again the light is there.

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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. To triumph, we need results. Publishable, applicable results. Now who among you will be the next Morse? The next Einstein? Who among you will be the vanguard of democracy, freedom, and discovery? Today, we bequeath America's future ...

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Connections

Featured in WatchMojo: Top 10 James Horner Scores (2015)

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Soundtracks

All Love Can Be
Music by James Horner
Lyric by Will Jennings
Performed by Charlotte Church
Courtesy of Sony Music Entertainment (UK) Limited

User Reviews

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.