Rating: 
Summary: Formulaic But Not Terrible
Review: I'm not sure why all the hype about the film, much less the Oscar nod. It's a typical Ron Howard button-pusher with a good cast. I found it a bit slow at times but it finished strong.One total anomaly that is typical Hollywood is the Jennifer Connelly character. I'm grateful that I got to look at her and not Camryn Manheim for 2+ hours, but I for one find it unreasonable that she would hit on Nash in the first place, let alone marry him. He was awkward, antisocial, and rough-looking and a long, long way from smooth with the ladies. It's on the same scale of implausability as Helen Hunt falling for Jack Nicholson in "As Good As it Gets". (By extension, I wonder how well "Speed" would have done if instead of Reeves and Bullock in the lead roles, they had, say, Dennis Franz and Rosie O'Donnell. But I digress.)
Rating: 
Summary: A rare beautiful, powerfully moving film
Review: oh, wow....this film absolutely blew me away, so much so, it's difficult to translate the feelings into mere words. It is so rich in textures, a once in a lifetime, brilliant performance from Russell Crowe, with understated, deft direction by Ron Howard, a light dance of inspiration that so rarely comes out of Hollywood. Opee you done well! The power and emotion of this film, Russell's magick, is often nearly overwhelming. Few films affect you as deeply. The tale captures your from the start, gently rapping its hand around your heart and keeping you in thrall, as you follow the spiralling brilliance of genius on the edge of madness. Howard walks the tight rope, never fully revealing the cards he hold, keeping the viewer so convinced that these things are actually happening, though the other characters are telling you it was all in Crowe's mind. It gives you an unique position of 'experiencing' Crowe's delusions, so we more fully understand that delusions can be frighteningly as real as life. Instead of telling you this man suffers from schizophrenia, Howard and Crowe make 'your walk a mile in Nash's shoes', thus making your, for the first time, really comprehend what this disease does to the mind. How despite this all, Nash went on to win a Noble prize so this is a story of personal triumph. Nash, an off the IQ chart mathematician, a socially inept Southern, is pulled into the superspy world by Ed Harris' William Parcher, who claims he is US government agent and needs Nash's unique talents. Christopher Plummer, another brilliant (but overlooked actor) actor gives to the link into reality, for both Nash and the audience, as Dr. Rosen, who treats Nash. Jennifer Connelly's performance as Nash's funny and loving wife, demonstrated a broader range of talent than we have seen from her; amazing to see the little girl who danced with Bowie all grown up and proving she is much more than a pretty face. Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actress, Best Adapted Screenplay and all well earned. The DVD is loaded with extras, like a commentary by Howard and screenwriter Akiva Goldsman, deleted scenes, scoring of the film, soundtrack and and other material on Nash.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Movie - Overrated Star, by far!
Review: I finally saw A Beautiful Mind and I was stunned by the performance of whathisface. He did a magnificent job portraying the socially inept genius exactly as the average moron perceives the behavior of such a person. But, as do many of the perceptions of the average moron, his performance misses the mark considerably. It is more a parody of such a person than a remotely accurate portrayal. Basically, it is simply the high school nerd (also probably perceived incorrectly as well, by the master moron) 'cranked-up' several notches. Naturally if some is good, then more is better, and equally accurate for a complete lack of understanding multiplication. The writing was magnificent, as were all other aspects of the film. It is too bad that they were unable to find a real actor to play the lead. It is strange, how highly acclaimed a bad actor can become for having had the good fortune to get such a role. What a terrible injustice to all the real talent that goes unrecognized.
Rating:
Summary: A Beautiful Mind, An OK Movie
Review: I have to say that I was pretty dissapointed with this movie. The media and all the awards it got made it look like a fantastic movie, but I didn't really care for it. The only reason I watched it was my cousin forced me too. He probably only liked it because he has this "thing" for Russel Crowe. I thought it was kinda strange and a little hard to follow. This movie is kind of like biography that belongs on A&E, not on the big screen. I was pretty bored through a lot of the movie. Sure, it's cool and everything how smart the guy was and all the things he did, but the movie was just hideously boring. I'm not even sure I agree with the 3 stars I gave it. Sorry, but pass this movie up. It's more of a "there's nothing else left at the store, I guess we could rent this" movie. For those of you out there that liked this movie.... Enjoy!
Rating: 
Summary: Solemn, Haunting, Well-Directed
Review: Ron Howard's direction of "A Beautiful Mind" is much like that of "The Sixth Sense" in that it is only much later in the film that we see certain realities of the main character's world for what they are.
It does lose points with me, however, for not portraying certain aspects of John Nash's life accurately. Ignored, for example, is the fact that his wife, the initially spunky and forceful, Alicia, is El Salvadorian, and while Jennifer Connelly's portrayal of her was well-done, she could have adopted a more Spanish-sounding accent for the part.
While a bit beefy for the lead role, Russell Crowe submerges himself nicely into the character of the eccentric, socially inept John Nash, complete with a Southern twang. The film features the usual cornerstones of a Crowe performance: Displays of brute strength, moments of violent rage, pensive charm, subtle glances from his very expressive heavily-lashed blue-green eyes, quick and pleasant witticisms, a wry smile, and of course, his excerising his "right to bare arms", that last of which should keep the ladies interested.
The story of course, revolves around Professor Nash's bout with schizophrenia, his major contribution to the world despite his illness, and his ultimate triumph as a Nobel Laurate.
We first meet Nash as a loner at Princeton University about to work on his thesis, but not succeeding at doing so at first. There isn't too much emphasis on math itself, the least favorite subject of many of us in school, which was perhaps done to keep most of the audience interested in the film. But the palpable distance between Nash and the elderly faculty member being honored by the ceremony of the pens can be measured in light years, as Nash stands in the hallway, a lone and solitary figure once again on the outside.
His life is made even more complicated by his roommate (Paul Bettany) and his roommate's adoptive niece who never ages(Vivien Cardone), as well as Government agent William Parcher (Ed Harris), who never changes his clothes.
Christopher Plummer's Dr. Rosen appears on the scene to treat Nash, giving a calm intellectual, but slightly smug performance as the once esteemed Professor falls from grace and into his care.
The scene on Nash's recipience of shock treatment is reminiscent of Jack Nicholson's undergoing the same procedure in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest". But while there is debate about how meticulously
schizophrenia and the events of Nash's life are portrayed (his otherwise unmentioned son, whom he had out of wedlock plays an orderly in the film), Crowe makes Nash a very sympathetic character, and perhaps the film has led more people to empathize with the plight of the mentally ill.We feel somehow, that Alicia was meant to be the guiding force in his life, although in reality, the couple were divorced for a time.
Later in the movie, there is another pens ceremony, but happily Nash is not at a distance from it this time.
The make-up job of the Nashes as an elderly couple could have been better. But Nash's address of the Nobel Academy, which in fact never happened, gives the film a final, romantic flourish.
The stately and haunting anthem sung by Charlotte Church is one of vigilance on behalf of those in need of guidance.
While sparing us many gritty realities of the Nashes' life together, Ron Howard's movie is one of hope and triumph, with only a muted kind of joy because depsite Nash's great achievements, the battle for sanity continues.
Rating:
Summary: Great movie.
Review: No wonder this movie won some awards, it's one of the best movies out there, end of story. The people that diss on this movie obviously don't know a good movie when they see one, and that is the truth. Russel Crowe's acting really shines in A Beautiful Mind, it's purely amazing. This movie will confuse you, there's no doubt in that. But once you get it it's a really good concept, that in the end turns into an awesome plot for the story. I won't tell you anything about what this movie is about, you'll have to watch it first. I highly recommend you ignore anyone who disses this movie, because no matter what they say they know absolutely nothing. Read the reviews that don't diss on this movie, because at least they state the facts. Get this movie when you can, or at least rent it.
Rating:
Summary: Math Savant's Story Makes for Good Cinema...
Review: ...and I'm quite sure Howard cleaned up the trials and tribulations of the schizophrenic scholar for Hollywood, but I opened my own beautiful mind--I had previous to this a dislike for Russell Crowe--and enjoyed the show. And surprisingly, I have nothing to add to the discussion but to say that it is a very good moovy and it deserves the accolades it has received.
Rating: 
Summary: Great movie - Poor ego
Review: I think this would be a great movie if anyone other than Mr. Crowe was the leading charactor. He is too into himself, and that leaks through all of his charactors, which are always the same person. He obviously has no depth or versatility.
Rating:
Summary: ONE OF MY NEW ALL TIME FAVORITES
Review: This is quite possibly one of the greatest movies i've ever seen. It has the wonderful mind boggling twist, and the most heartwarming love story imaginable. Anybody can enjoy this movie as they just chill and let the ride take em on a roller coaster of mixed emotions and curiousities, that keep your eyes glued to the screen.
Rating:
Summary: I am overwhelmed with apathy
Review: I guess this movie really deserves three stars since I neither liked nor disliked it. But because of all the hype surrounding Russell Crowe's Oscar-winning performance, I was a little disappointed when I finally saw the movie. I was on an airplane at the time, and it interested me only slightly more than twiddling my thumbs and popping my eardrums. Get this movie if you don't like displaying any sort of emotion, because the film evokes none.
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