A Beautiful Mind (2001)

I've always wondered if geniuses are more apt to be mentally unsound, or if genius is a product of madness. Of course, it is really not all-too surprising that so many intellectuals are often plagued with mental disorders; they spend so much time in their head. This idea fuels the basic concept of one of my favorite films, A Beautiful Mind, made in 2001 by Ron Howard. It transcends the confines of a biopic, in this case relaying the story of noted schizophrenic mathematician John Forbes Nash, and becomes a gripping drama, a love story, and a moving portrait of psychological ailments.

"You are the reason I am. You are all my reasons."

The film has a beautiful color palette. In Nash's early college days at Princeton, the lens has the golden hue of dusk. It's stunning, and really gives an almost unearthly feel to the campus and its architecture. And then later on, when he becomes submerged in illness and harrowing treatment, the colors become noticeably more drab. That only proves how crucial imagery is to successfully conveying a story, whether it's through costumes or cinematography. Speaking of costumes, I found these ones to be particularly impressive, as I was convinced that the events could have actually taken in place in their respective time periods.

"Classes will dull your mind,
destroy the potential for authentic creativity."

Writer Akiva Goldsman was given the opportunity of several lifetimes in scripting this story, a feat which I do not believe he has matched since. Which is fine, considering most people don't even get one chance to show their potential. He took a true story and molded it into this engrossing narrative, one that could succeed on its own without the real incidents to back it. Many biopics often get bogged down by facts and come to naught as compelling stories. This movie is more in the vein of Amadeus, faithful to the core feeling of the truth but willing to sacrifice fact for drama. Having read the screenplay, I found it wildly spellbinding and commend Goldsman for his Oscar win.

"Find a truly original idea.
 It is the only way I will distinguish myself.
It is the only way I will ever matter."

I don't care that Russell Crowe had already won the Oscar the year before for Gladiator. I don't even care that I haven't seen Gladiator; I know that performance could not be any better than his turn as Nash. Every mannerism seems completely natural, and he makes Nash both lovable and eerily odd. His transformation from awkward young man to weary old man feels so pure that Crow seems inhabit every age with extraordinary finesse. I can only imagine the energy put in to completely wrap himself in the mindset of a schizophrenic genius, but in the end his efforts paid off tremendously; he is Nash, from the off-balance gait to the social faux pas he commits. And I doubt anyone would believe that he is Australian after seeing this film.

"Give me a moment to redefine my girlish notions of romance."

Jennifer Connelly can only be described as luminous as wife Alicia Nash. With her carefully level gazes and silky voice, she is the only thing that ties Nash to earth. She is the nurturing wife figure that appears in most biopics (ex. Reese Witherspoon in Walk the Line [2005]), but it doesn't feel like she was simply put there to assist Nash in his healing. She feels like a real, fleshed-out woman, one who expresses frustration with her lot in life but also noble hope and perseverance. From the moment of her entrance, when she is seen directly compromising Professor Nash's authority (or what little he has as an incompetent teacher), it is apparent that she is something special. It is because of her that Mind is also a beautiful romance, and the story of how illness affects such relationships.

"Nothing's ever for sure,  John.
That's the only sure thing I do know."

Paul Bettany is so full of charisma as "the prodigal roommate" Charles. He helps to coax Nash the tiniest bit out of is shell and becomes his friend and confidant. He is the polar opposite of the reserved genius, which makes their initial meeting quite entertaining as Nash attempts to get some work done. Bettany brings a real swagger to this role, but also a sense of care. He's a great character actor who should be more well-known by this time, and he's also married to Jennifer Connelly!

"Man is capable of as much atrocity as he has imagination."

Also great is Ed Harris as the imposing agent William Parcher. He starts out as amiable enough, but descends into this cruel monster bent on plaguing Nash's life. I can't talk about him too much, though, for reasons apparent in the film, but I think that Harris is quite the actor. He was phenomenal in The Hours (2002), which I highly recommend.

A Beautiful Mind is, well, beautiful. It does not stumble over facts and instead floats along as a story, one which makes your eyes widen, your heart rate quicken, and, eventually, a lump to form in your throat. It is a great insight to the mind of a genius, but also to the hardships we take for granted that these gifted people often go through. But at the same time it is not stiff and too serious; it also works as great entertainment, one that I would, and did, use to pass the time on a rainy day. It is a tapestry of many genres, all spellbinding.