Rating: 
Summary: Unbelievable!
Review: First, allow me to clarify something: this review is representative of my opinion and I am not trying to "make" people hate the film. If they happen to like it, that really is their own business. Just trying to voice out my thoughts. That being said, let me continue.
I actually had no intention of seeing this film simply because I expected it to be cliched and revamped to please the majority of the public. Unfortunately, I was dragged along to see this film and along the way, I kept hoping that my initial predictions would be wrong. I am not the type of person to sit through a movie that is over 2 hours long (exception being of course, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Rings - now this should have won Best Picture for the year but of course, the members of the Academy USUALLY tend to pick sad and sappy films that are overly advertised and overrated! Not one fantasy/science fiction movie has ever won best Picture yet...something to chew on huh?)> Yeah, right! For one thing, they "romanticized" Nash's character (to make Crowe look good huh?)and the plot is barely visible. Being a Comp Lit major, this really annoys me. Ron Howard could have at least made the plot more bearable. But at times, it simply flits about here and there without making sense. For example, the scene where Alicia falls in love with Nash is laughable. Why? Just because he happens to have the "rugged and handsome" face and amazing body of Russel Crowe??? They should have worked on that...but then again, people always fall for that sudden "I'm in love" trick all the time. *SIGH* And what was with the car chase scene? Come on...Nash is a scientist, not a superhero! Crowe does do a good job in portraying a man afflicted with schizophrenia but after a while, it gets incredibly tiring. (Just because he won last year's academy award doesn't mean he beyond the bite of critics.) As for Jennifer Connelly's supposedly "mesmerizing" role, PLEASE!She's good but she's nowhere up to par with Cate Blanchett, Judi Dench, Jodie Foster, or even Helen Mirren (I've got another quarrel with the Academy about this one). She infuses Alicia's character with this "love" solves everything attitude and doesn't anybody seem to notice that her every action and speech is SOOOOOOOOOO cliched?!! How on earth did Mirren lose Best supporting Actress to Connelly? I simply do not understand the Academy's obvious support for Connelly's character. Go watch Gosford Park...hopefully you'll support my rantings. Connelly would have my support if she would stop the simpering and lovey-dovey act. Moving forward. The scene with Nash declaring his love for Alicia at the Noble Prize Awards (I'm pretty sure about this but I was desperately busy devising plans to ditch my sobbing friends by that time!) was a creation of the imagination. Pretty sure it never happened...I even went to check Nash's biography again. It was such a pathetic ending to an overrated movie. I'd rather have a scene with Alicia divorcing Nash (which btw never was incorporated into the movie) or at least a scene where Nash explores his homosexuality. But manipulative Howard just simply "glosses" the not-so-good parts and tries to dazzle us with repetitious nonsence about LOVE. Well, it worked for him; he suckered the Academy into giving him Best Director and Best Picture (both in my opinion, wholly undeserved).
It's not a bad movie...it is watchable (barely) and the acting is fine. Just that the overall end result barely merits winning Oscars - sorry...but I have a thing with overused plots and pampering movies that appeal to most people. Just because people fall for it doesn't mean it's good!
Rating: 
Summary: A Beautiful Mind
Review: A Beautiful Mind was a pretty good movie. I'm undecided as to whether or not I think it was worth winning Best Picture at the Oscars, though mainly because I didn't think any of them really deserved it. I liked it but I didn't love it. And I certainly didn't think that Russell Crowe deserved to win Best Actor. And in a way, Jennifer Connelly deserved to win Best Supporting Actress last year for her role in Requiem For A Dream. I'm not saying that the buzz surrounding this movie is false, but just that maybe it didn't deserve all that it got. I think a lot of hype from this movie came from Russell Crowe, the controversial man of the year, and people heard that he might get a 3rd nomination for this movie so they just assumed it was going to be great. Anyway, my feeling of not loving this movie does not have anything to do with all the reports about it not being entirely accurate or leaving stuff out. I personally don't care what they left out or not. All I cared about was what was already in the movie, which is good. So don't get me wrong--I don't think this was a bad movie at all. Ron Howard certainly proved his worth in directing. But I AM saying that it's not the best film of the year. But you should still go see if because it's a darn good movie.
Rating: 
Summary: An incoherent performance.
Review: Whitewashed-to-the-max biopic of someone called John Nash, eminent math-man who happens to be eminently mad. Never mind the mathematics stuff; it's the madness we care about. We can feel fortunate that director Ron Howard presents schizophrenia with a minimum of histrionics and all-around shrillness (the dreadful *Girl Interrupted* comes immediately to mind as the wrong way to do this type of thing); on the other hand, perhaps *A Beautiful Mind* is just a tad too tasteful for its own good. Certainly the revelations that have come out about the real Nash's character make the movie's Best Picture Award seem hypocritical . . . at best. Contemptible, at worst. Also, Russell Crowe perhaps adds too much to the solemn seriousness with a performance that's, well, quiet. Too quiet. So quiet that his mutterings are all but inaudible. (Is he trying to hide the uncertain execution of his West Virgina accent?) Back to Oscars for just a sec: I think it's pretty telling that this movie winning Best Picture was one of the least remembered events during the telecast. (Even Randy Newman finally winning an Oscar for Best Song got more play.) Finally, I must agree with the gentleman from Poland in a review below: I also preferred this movie when it was called *Shine*.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Movie - Realistic Portrayal
Review: "A Beautiful Mind" is the true story of a professor who grew suffering from a horrible mental illness known as paranoid-schizophrenia. The movie comes from the professor's perspective in the first person and you see first hand what a paranoid-schizophrenic individual experiences on a daily basis.Having spent more than a decade as a former psychologist specializing in the mental health sector, I have often imagined what it would be like to be inside the mind of one of my many clients who suffered from this horrible mental illness. "A Beautiful Mind" portrays what I envisioned. It's hard for most of us who have never had a psychosis to understand what is wrong with individuals like this. If you want a dose of experience, view this flick! Keep in mind that this professor (portrayed by Crowe) is considered a higher functioning paranoid-schizophrenic because his intelligence is outstanding. What many do not understand is that in most cases, it takes a very creative and intelligent mind to become schizophrenic. Now, the movie does a beautiful job of portraying the life of this professor, but from my understanding, there were various liberties taken in the film. That's too bad, but I'm not judging the movie based upon its authenticity as much as I am with the final outcome of just the movie itself. So, I'll not base my ratings on that aspect. What stops me from giving a full five stars is the acting job Crowe does. Don't get me wrong, he did most everything right that I can think of. However, he plays a southern gentleman (West Virginian if I am correct) and his accent suffers. Since he is Australian, I think he did quite an admirable job at trying to sound southern, but it detracted from the movie a bit too much as if it were forced. I might have gotten a different actor for the part to make it more authentic, but of course, Crowe is big time right now so I understand their decision. Regardless, get the DVD. You'll love it and it'll forever be a popular part of your collection!
Rating: 
Summary: Not your father's goopy treacle
Review: One reviewer called A Beautiful Mind a "Goopy Treacle", obviously intending to impress us more with his high falootin' vocabulary than with his review. He even managed to review the John Nash book, which he never read. If your boundless intelligence puts you so far above the rest of the American race that it requires you to use the thesaurus' least used matches for common words (because common words don't properly display your vast intelligence), then American movies probably aren't your thing, anyway. I recommend sitting in a quiet corner and reading something Latin. If the only way this movie can be a good one is if it follows an exact adaptation to the book, then you won't enjoy the movie.
If you think the only way a movie can be good is to exactly follow the book it's based on, then you're seriously missing out. The movie was brilliant. The acting was excellent. The story was amazing. If you have a heart and a mind, this movie should appeal to you greatly. This was one of the most amazing films I've ever seen, and it should be watched by You and everybody you know. There's something wrong with you if this movie doesn't grip you and make you think at the same time.
Rating:
Summary: I've Seen It, but it was entitled
Review: A gifted young pianist with little social skills fells mentally ill and thus his brilliant career comes to a halt. A woman's love brings him back to productive life. Instead of Nobel Prize Academy gala in Stockholm, the grand finale of "Shine" shows the now oldish, recovered hero in an elegant concert hall setting. Both movies were truly moving, but if I were to choose just one I would go with the first cut...
... It is not quite a digression. French "Amelia" has a way better story to tell, because it is a very original movie, but still it is not made the skilfull way BMind and most Hollywood movies are made. You guys really created the art of cinema show. BMind IS made by the book. BMind story is told in line with the best rules of the trade. It easily makes you cry when the pens are handed and right after that when Nash makes the speech. Shame it is all preceded by an artificially galvanized story and behaviors (this remark goes beyond the issue of J.Nash real life) that are artificial. A corrupted movie ? Yes. Why on purpose tailor a screenplay that is a commercial afterthought to the earlier and thus proven success formula of "Shine" and the Damon/Affleck young mathematician movie, a pitiful cross between the two success films. ...
Rating:
Summary: A Beautiful Film
Review: He changed the way that the world is run. He forever shaped the way we look at the world. His story is unbelievable, but is true. He is John Forbes Nash, a paranoid schizophrenic who's acomplishments shaped computer processing and the game theory. A Beautiful Mind, winner of several Academy Awards including Best Picture & Best Director (Ron Howard), is one of the most amazing stories of all time. It is amazing how Nash (Russel Crowe) was able to survive the torment of schizophrenic personallity disorder. It also stars Ed Harris, a angry control freak who works for a secret group in the government who inlists John's help to save America, and Jennifer Connely (Winner of Best Actress for her performance) who plays the woman that loved John and stuck with him. Russel Crowe perfectly plays Nash as a neurotic oddball who is a genius. The real John Nash is one of the greatest mathematicians of all time and created several theorys that went into the game theory. It would take to long to explain the game theory, but luckily the film explains part of it. If you want to know more, like I did, pick up The Essential John Nash book. Some of the greatest things in this film are the makeup design and the score. The makeup design transforms Russel Crowe into John Nash from his college days to present time when he is a old man. The makeup on Jennifer Connely is also unbelievable. It transforms her into a old woman also. The score really brings the mood of the film to it. John's story is sad, but good at the same time. Which makes the score creation very hard, but they made it perfect. I love this film and urge every human being on Earth to see it. John Nash's story of triumph of insanity is amazing and will change the way you look at the world. Then, get the soundtrack, the book, and The Essential John Nash book to get the full thing.
Rating:
Summary: very good-could have been great
Review: "Beautiful Mind" has a lot going for it: Russell Crowe's great performance, a compelling story line, strong direction, good score etc. It probably also deserved the Oscar of the films that were up for nomination. Even though I liked this movie a lot, it bugged me that I wasn't seeing the absolute truth. It appears that Hollywood feels that they have to manipulate the stories they film- have a feel-good ending-add Hollywood gloss etc.etc. ala "The Player" I just wish they trusted us to be interested in the facts as they stand. I don't feel that distorting the truth, as they have in this film, makes a better movie. It insults our intelligence by assuming that we value entertainment (a formulaic entertainment, at that) over the real, truly interesting stories of real people. They could have avoided the distortion in "a Beautiful Mind" and instead of a great film we, instead, end up with a film that's merely a pretty good one. Still you should see it- there is still plenty to like and I recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: A Beautiful Mind Adaptation
Review: This movie, as a movie, is wonderful. It has a beautiful storyline, amazingly good actors, and a gorgeous score. But, as an adaptation of a book, it is not so good. I read "A Beautiful Mind" this week, and was amazed FAR more by the book, than by the movie, and it disappointed me to realize how much the movie strays from the book. I can understand adaptations like "The Fellowship of the Ring", where a few things are changed, and a chapter left out, but in "A Beautiful Mind" (the book), there wasn't even MENTION of John Forbes Nash, Jr. seeing a government man, a room mate, or a room mate's niece during his schizophrenic years. Rather, he wanted to establish a "World Government", and spent months in Europe trying to renounce his American citizenship and be legally considered a refugee from "'all NATO, Warsaw, Middle East and SEATO pact countries.'" -("A Beautiful Mind", "Citoyen du Monde", page 273, Sylvia Nasar) The movie neglected to point out Nash's struggles with homosexuality, AND with Alicia, whom he divorced and didn't remarry until June of 2001. Nash didn't only have one son, either; he had an affair BEFORE meeting Alicia, and the son he had with Alicia is now, as I write this, suffering from schizophrenia himself, just as his father did. And, near the end of the book, it speaks much of the daily struggle it is for John and Alicia with John's son, John Charles Nash, because of his constant "remissions", and then relapses into schizophrenic hallucinations. I'd hardly call that a completely happy ending; much less happy than the movie made it out to be, anyway. BUT, AS A MOVIE, like I said earlier, minus ALL the strayings from the book, "A Beautiful Mind" is beautiful itself. Russell Crowe is convincing as hell, and deserved the Oscar he didn't get, even if he won for "Gladiator" last year. And Jennifer Connelly... <>... is as good as an actress as ever, and deserves the Oscar she got.And the movie, as a whole, deserved the Oscar it got for Best Picture, because, as far as I can tell, it WAS the best picture of 2001.
Rating:
Summary: Howard Tries To Get Serious
Review: I have always believed Ron Howard is the kind of film director who makes movies that touch our hearts. His works always makes us feel good. "Cocoon", "Backdraft", "Willow" -all these films are fine examples of Howard's abilitites to manipulate our feelings. Hey, that's not necessarily a bad thing, but it's a trait which is very essential on him and his movies. When I started watching "A Beautiful Mind", I found myself watching what might be Ron Howard's first attempt to make something serious. The real story of John Forbes Nash, Jr. is quite gripping. And his fight to overcome schyzophrenia is quite attractive because he watches some sort of ghosts or imaginary people who are product of his problem. Russell Crowe's performance is one of a kind and makes the rest of his castmates, especially Jennifer Connelly, perform in a very fantastic way. Ed Harris seems to be the only one wasted as one of Nash's "ghosts". As I said before, this is Ron Howard's first attempt at serious filmmaking. However, his formulaic pattern becomes noticeable at the final fifteen minutes when Nash's wife gives her total support in one of the most unnecessarily romantic moments of the movie. And the Nobel Prize ceremony scene is disappointing because it shows Howard's way of finding an easy conclusion to a very tough drama by giving his audience a way to feel sorry and weep for Crowe's character. But, hey, this is supposed to be a Ron Howard film.
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