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IMDbPro

A Brilliant Young Mind

Original title: X+Y
  • 20142014
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 1h 51m
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
29K
YOUR RATING
Eddie Marsan, Sally Hawkins, Rafe Spall, Jo Yang, and Asa Butterfield in A Brilliant Young Mind (2014)
French Trailer for A Brilliant Young Mind
Play trailer1:29
3 Videos
40 Photos
  • Drama
  • Romance
A socially awkward teenage math prodigy finds new confidence and new friendships when he lands a spot on the British squad at the International Mathematics Olympiad.A socially awkward teenage math prodigy finds new confidence and new friendships when he lands a spot on the British squad at the International Mathematics Olympiad.A socially awkward teenage math prodigy finds new confidence and new friendships when he lands a spot on the British squad at the International Mathematics Olympiad.
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
29K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Morgan Matthews
  • Writer
    • James Graham
  • Stars
    • Asa Butterfield
    • Rafe Spall
    • Sally Hawkins
Top credits
  • Director
    • Morgan Matthews
  • Writer
    • James Graham
  • Stars
    • Asa Butterfield
    • Rafe Spall
    • Sally Hawkins
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 94User reviews
    • 102Critic reviews
    • 65Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 9 wins & 11 nominations

    Videos3

    A Brilliant Young Mind
    Trailer 1:29
    A Brilliant Young Mind
    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:05
    Official Trailer
    Exclusive Clip
    Clip 1:59
    Exclusive Clip

    Photos40

    Sally Hawkins and Asa Butterfield in A Brilliant Young Mind (2014)
    Eddie Marsan in A Brilliant Young Mind (2014)
    Asa Butterfield in A Brilliant Young Mind (2014)
    Rafe Spall and Asa Butterfield in A Brilliant Young Mind (2014)
    Sally Hawkins in A Brilliant Young Mind (2014)
    Jo Yang and Asa Butterfield in A Brilliant Young Mind (2014)
    Asa Butterfield in A Brilliant Young Mind (2014)
    Jo Yang and Asa Butterfield in A Brilliant Young Mind (2014)
    Sally Hawkins and Rafe Spall in A Brilliant Young Mind (2014)
    Asa Butterfield in A Brilliant Young Mind (2014)
    Rafe Spall, Jo Yang, and Asa Butterfield at an event for A Brilliant Young Mind (2014)
    Sally Hawkins and Rafe Spall at an event for A Brilliant Young Mind (2014)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Asa Butterfield
    Asa Butterfield
    • Nathan Ellisas Nathan Ellis
    Rafe Spall
    Rafe Spall
    • Martin Humphreysas Martin Humphreys
    Sally Hawkins
    Sally Hawkins
    • Julie Ellisas Julie Ellis
    Eddie Marsan
    Eddie Marsan
    • Richardas Richard
    Jo Yang
    Jo Yang
    • Zhang Meias Zhang Mei
    Martin McCann
    Martin McCann
    • Michael Ellisas Michael Ellis
    Jake Davies
    Jake Davies
    • Luke Sheltonas Luke Shelton
    Alex Lawther
    Alex Lawther
    • Isaac Cooperas Isaac Cooper
    Alexa Davies
    Alexa Davies
    • Rebecca Dunnas Rebecca Dunn
    Orion Lee
    Orion Lee
    • Deng Laoshias Deng Laoshi
    Edward Baker-Close
    • Nathan Ellis (9 yrs)as Nathan Ellis (9 yrs)
    Percelle Ascott
    Percelle Ascott
    • Ben Morganas Ben Morgan
    Suraj Rattu
    • Pav Kamdaras Pav Kamdar
    Jamie Ballard
    • Headmasteras Headmaster
    Clare Burt
    • Doctoras Doctor
    Adam Foster
    • Paediatricianas Paediatrician
    Lee Zhuo Zhao
    • Li Jingas Li Jing
    Shannon Beer
    • Cazas Caz
    • Director
      • Morgan Matthews
    • Writer
      • James Graham
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

    More like this

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    7.2
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    6.9
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    5.0
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    A History of Falling Things
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    Departure
    6.6
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    X/Y
    4.1
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    Right Place Wrong Tim
    6.7
    Right Place Wrong Tim

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      As stated in the end credits, the movie was inspired by Beautiful Young Minds (2007). The character Nathan Ellis is based on Daniel Lightwing, specifically his experiences before and during the IMO competition.
    • Goofs
      The double rainbow that Nathan and Zhang Mei see from the train when they arrive in England is wrongly generated. The secondary rainbow should be inverted with purple on the outside of the arc but in the movie red is on the outside. The rainbow should also be opposite the sun so the shadows on the ground should point towards it.
    • Quotes

      Julie: When somebody says they love you it means they see something in you they think is worth something... It adds value to you.

    • Connections
      Featured in Conan: David Oyelowo/Asa Butterfield/JR JR (2015)
    • Soundtracks
      Sweetheart, What Have You Done to Us
      Written and performed by Keaton Henson

      Published by Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd

      Licensed courtesy of Sony Music Entertainment UK Ltd

    User reviews94

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    Beautiful.
    'I think I see the world differently to others' explains Nathan, played by Asa Butterfield. The distinction causing this however is that he is has been diagnosed with Autism, which passes the conclusion that he is socially awkward, shy and 'unique'.

    Although considered disabled, Nathan is a maths-prodigy. A self- confessed, algebra loving whizz at that. Because of his advanced capability in the subject, Nathan joins a high-school a few years early and placed under the teaching of Raff Spall's character, Mr Hutchinson. Heading into early stages of MS, Hutchinson explains to Nathan a competition that he did in his youth and recommends he should enter it - the International Mathematics Olympiad, a world- wide competition similar to sporting, but rather than strong muscles, strong brains.

    Chosen as one of the sixteen entries from the UK, he then joins a worldly-mix of other competitors in what is probably the most difficult children's test in the world.

    At this point you realize how the story is going to end, along with the regular clichés. But X+Y keeps you on toes and raises the grade to unexpected.

    Although X+Y is focused around maths, it doesn't matter. The subject could easily be replaced or removed and the film would hold strong by because in awe of the fundamental driven narrative. Put into cheesy maths terms X+Y is: Great casting + dramatic story + comedy - clichés = success.

    Taking the on the central lead, Asa Butterfield (Ender's Game) stuns in the portrayal and authentically attaches us with emotion to his story. Co-starring as Nathan's mother, Sally Hawkins also gives a stellar performance.

    Crafted with flashbacks, X+Y is very much about the destination as well as it is the journey. Comparable to A Beautiful Mind, this too is a prodigy excellence and a charming feature from Morgan Matthews.
    helpful•44
    16
    • CharlieGreenCG
    • Oct 23, 2014

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 11, 2015 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Official site
    • Languages
      • English
      • Mandarin
    • Also known as
      • X+Y
    • Filming locations
      • Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, UK
    • Production companies
      • BBC Films
      • British Film Institute (BFI)
      • Head Gear Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $171,793
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $31,408
      • Sep 13, 2015
    • Gross worldwide
      • $1,043,620
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 51 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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