Rating: 
Summary: Mixed Bag For Me, At Least!
Review: It is clear from a viewing of this very good film what Hollywood found so intriguing and so fascinating about the life of Nobel laureate John Nash. It is indeed a life that was distinguished by a raging plethora of contradictory qualities and experiences, and one in which much was suffered and yet much gained. Thus it was by virtue of the very range of these seemingly irreconcilable aspects to his complicated, convoluted, and extremely troubled existence that his story was deemed to be so irresistible that they gave it the "whole Hollywood treatment". In a phrase, then, in the movie industry's judgment Doctor Nash was notably nuts, and was a distinguished Noble Prize-winning nutcase at that. And, oh, how Hollywood loves to romanticize such accomplished, misunderstood and unlikable miscreants. That much said, the acting was quite good, and the director truly was inspired, and deserved an Oscar for his work. For he does deliver an immensely entertaining and enormously interesting piece of work here, however badly it may misrepresent the true and authentic set of situations it is portending to recreate. Using a barrelful of creative license, Ron Howard deep sixes the accuracy of the events to weave a lovely period piece about love, intellect, and madness. So too, Russell Crowe's acting delivers a powerful testimony to the agony of his afflictions, yet it too is so stylized and so pushed along by special effects that somehow we wind up feeling almost envious of the protagonist's beautiful hallucinations of a world far more singularly novel, photogenic and breath-taking than the one the majority of us seem to inhabit day in and day out. Jennifer Connelly is stunning and lovely, and her victory at winning the Academy Award speaks volumes for how little is expected of actresses in some dramatic roles. So, while I liked the movie for what it was, I was disappointed to find it such a sugary and sentimental representation of the events as they actually transpired. The story was often uneven and disjointed, so while my interest was maintained, I would be less than candid if I didn't say that I thought it a bit too long and at points a bit belabored. A good movie, but in my humble estimation hardly a great movie. Glad to see Ron Howard win the Oscar, but did not think this was the best he has ever done. Enjoy!
Rating: 
Summary: I Never Knew What Hit Me!
Review: As much as I love Denzel Washington (who, incidentally, was totally robbed of the Best Actor Oscar he deserved for Hurricane), Russell Crowe's performance here was phenomenal (much better than his performance in Gladiator, because this was a much more difficult role to play). A Beautiful Mind is based on the life of John Nash, a brilliant man who, at length, outsmarts his psychological illness. Describing this movie is difficult without giving anything away... Beautiful Mind takes the viewer on a journey, and just when you are sure you know where you are going, you discover that you had never really left in the first place. A most amazing movie with twists and turns that rival The Firm and Sixth Sense. Best picture of the year.
Rating:
Summary: Russell Crowe's Greatest So Far
Review: I have to say, Russell Crowe is a pure genius in the art of acting. I know they shouldn't be compared, but I found Russell Crowe to have been strangely similar to Tom Hanks in Forrest Gump, with his facial expressions and body language. For the subject matter, it is quite well-played, as his illness shocked me up until about 20 minutes before it ended. One awkward thing about the movie: the marriage. I really can't see what Jenniffer Connelly's character has for this guy, but I guess if that's how the real-life love's story played, then it's okay. Gives a new light on schizophrenia in public conditions, however I find it odd a genius, especially, would have such a problem getting rid of it after meeting new people and such, since it formed from his loneliness. That fault kind of left me [angry], but it's okay if it's true. I would have liked a bunch of his invisible friends to be on stage when was accepting the award poking fun at him or asking him to go on a 'mission', that would have been hilarious.
Rating: 
Summary: What?
Review: I saw the movie before its Oscar success. I was dissapointed in the movie then and very dissapointed it won "Best Picture". Its not as moving or emotional as I would expect....and the story line dissapointed me.....I actually thought the main character was going to get involved with the government and the cold war, etc. (I obviously did not know the story of Nash prior to my viewing!) thinking it would be an action-drama style movie. He's insane? What? What a rip-off. If he contributed to the world of math, the movie didn't really develope his contribution...I think I would have enjoyed the movie better if they had explored that more than the insanity stuff. I was reading Neal Stephenson's most excellent book "Cryptonomicon" at the time and I thought this movie was in the same line. Well, I still gave it 3 stars, which is average....definitely not best picture.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely fun-tastic to watch!
Review: Superb!! The only thing better than a good movie is a good movie based on true fact. The movie story was good. The fact that it really happened made it great. It was interesting, captivating, and just plain enjoyable to watch. It is easy (if not desirable) to envision yourself as being the professor, to imagine possessing such intellect. Best of all, the conclusion won't let you down.
Rating:
Summary: Great Performances Redeem Uneven Film
Review: Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, and an strong supporting cast offer extraordinary performances in A BEAUTIFUL MIND--and fortunately so, for the subject of the film has undergone a Hollywood homogenization that renders the film both timid and tepid. Still worse, both script and direction are unfocused, and much of the film is taken up with a tricksy plot device calculated to manipulate viewers into an unexpected identification with Nash's mental illness. The plot device in question is one recently seen in a number of plot-driven films such as THE SIXTH SENSE; here, however, it proves extremely transparent and feels out of place, and since it requires the film to shift gears several times it contributes to the film's lack of flow. Moreover, it has the effect of presenting the nature of Nash's illness in very glossy terms that fail to really reflect the seriousness of his condition. It all has a "santitized for your protection" feel. But when the cast has opportunity to shine it shines with considerable brilliance, and in spite of the film's numerous flaws the actors hold the attention from start to finish. I have never been a fan of Russell Crowe, and I found his performance in the earliest scenes a bit artificial, but he quickly comes to grips with the role and delivers a powerhouse performance that remains in mind long after the film ends. Jennifer Connelly is equally powerful as wife Alicia, and the supporting cast (which includes Ed Harris, Judd Hirsch, and Christopher Plummer) is extremely fine. This is not a great film, but it does contain great performances, and I recommend it on that basis.
Rating:
Summary: a great movie
Review: When I saw this movie in the theater, I had the pleasure of not knowing who John Nash was. I spent half of the movie wondering....is he or isn't he? Russell Crowe, like him or not, did a great job portraying Prof. Nash. But what had me even more spellbound was Jennifer Connelly. She made this movie what it was. She held her own with Mr. Crowe himself. Her portrayal as John Nash's ever faithful, supporting and loving wife, Alicia Nash, very much deserved that Oscar she took home.
At the beginning you see Nash in his early years, when his schizophrenia was in its early stages. As the movie progresses you see his illness develop into something that consumes his life and inhabits his ability to function in everyday life.
After being diagnosed, he believes he can find a way to cope with this without taking medication.
A Beautiful Mind is a great movie and a must have any DVD collection. While I am not certain it was deserving of Best Picture, I Am Sam was in my unexpert, amateur opinion, it is definatley an upstanding film.
Rating:
Summary: One of the years best
Review: I don't want to give too much away about the film, but I want everyone to know that this is a fantastic story. Ron Howard has made a masterpiece. Russel Crowe and Jennifer Connely are equally amazing. If you liked heartfelt story of "Good Will Hunting" then you will really enjoy this film as well. Russel Crowe plays a student with an unparalleled gift for mathematics. The story follows about 50 years of his life, and covers many tribulations, pains, and joy that he faced. The film is based on the true life story of John Nash, and it does so in a very engaging way. I highly reccomend this film.
Rating:
Summary: great movie
Review: I really enjoyed this movie, I thought it was wonderfully done in the sense that it really puts you in Nash's shoes...I don't want tyo give the movie away so you will have to see what I meanfor yourself. It really blew my mind and made me second guess myself!!
The extras were an added bonus to an already worthwhile buy. we get to meet Nash and hear his theory firsthand as well as all the usual, such as deleted scenes and director's commentary.
All in all I would highly recommend this DVD for any collection.
Rating: 
Summary: Who gave this more than 1 star????
Review: This was probably the most confusing (& boring) movie I've tried to watch in a long time. The critics gave it such rave reviews that I should have known it would be a real snore!
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