Rating: 
Summary: John Nash: Citizen Arcane
Review: Why do so many recent films (*Memento*, *Waking Life*, *Mulholland Drive*, *Vanilla Sky*, even *The Majestic*) delve into that funhouse realm of "Am I dreaming?" double entendre, where characters undergo seismic shifts in their sensorium, becoming distrustful of their memories and of the world remembered, driven by the Gnostic fury of a marionette striking back at its puppet-master? Is it because we genuinely hunger for stories that offer an acid critique of personhood and identity, or is mental illness being pimped as a smarmy plot-device and all-purpose tear-jerker? In *A Beautiful Mind*, director Ron Howard has a finger stuck into both pies.Genius, mathematics, schizophrenia. This triple motif has Russell Crowe sounding like the android Data decked out as a nerdy, stooped, tongue-tied virgin. A shy vulcan math-prodigy whose manic-obsessive pursuit of "the governing dynamics" is played against the usual outsider-cum-genius melodrama that *Good Will Hunting* shoved down our throats. It is a classic power-fantasy, and we all know more-or-less what's coming. Gifted super-nerd suffers the tortures of the damned only to be redeemed by that extra-special lady (played by Jennifer Connelly), and whose initial alienation as a geek-show prodigy is at last softened by academic acceptance, Nobel acclaim, and a major motion picture. The moral? It's cool to be wild, eccentric, self-destructive and insane so long as it inspires a personality-cult leading to fame, personal mystique, and a percentage on the film-rights. If it means editing out certain details of the subject's biography (John Nash fathered an illegitimate son whom he ultimately abandoned, and was later arrested for soliciting sex in a men's restroom -- consult the Nasar biography), so be it. Don't get me wrong, I've got nothing against Nash. I'm just wondering why this outrageous film couldn't stand on its own, without some dubious attempt to "ground" it in the life of a still-living academic celebrity. As flattering a portrait as the film ultimately offers Nash, I'd be shocked to have my life and mental illness played with like this. Paranoid schizophrenia of the more clinical sort does *not* make for engaging commercial cinema. The real-life delusions of actual sufferers are too opaque and introverted for someone like Ron Howard to risk his first-weekend grosses on. Which is why Nash's illness must be given a Hollywood facelift, resulting in an eerie rehash of *Fight Club* spun against *Flowers For Algernon*, the bitter pathos of psychic breakdown spiced up by a Philip K. Dick-inspired monster head-trip. I mean, the film doesn't exactly *romanticize* mental illness, but it does simplify and trivialize it at times to yield suspense-thriller dividends. As in *Fight Club*, schizophrenia becomes a bit too quirky and attractive, as if one is required to pay dues as a raving nut-case to navigate the outer realms of visionary discernment. One can't help feeling that Nash's truly disturbing life-of-the-mind is being served up on the rocks with extra olives for mainstream consumption. Occasionally the script hits home with a real zinger, as in Nash's defeat in a heated game of Go: "I had the first move. My play was perfect. The game is flawed." This taps right into Nash's high-strung monomania, faculties honed to a razorline, ambition kicking and thrashing like a bunny in a zip-loc. But more often we're left with such forehead-smacking nuggets as "I don't much like people, and...they don't much like me.", or later: "I guess I've always been sort of a lone wolf." You knew these lines were coming. Adding insult to injury, whenever the screenwriters give Crowe a snappy riposte, he mutters it under his breath in rapid-fire polysyllables like a demure physics-lab assistant asking that buxom hostess at IHOP out to a *Doctor Who* marathon. "Are you not entertained?" But seriously now, no one can deny that Crowe is the hands-down winner in this clubfooted race, carrying Howard's awkward film on his back like Quasimodo's lumbar region. Three cheers for this chubby, gruff, conspicuous Aussie. Perhaps Milos Forman's *Amadeus* was the last film to represent human genius with a minimum of pandering hubris and sappy hysterics. *Little Man Tate* took a feisty stab at it, but seemed hesitant in treading the truly dark waters. *A Beautiful Mind* works whenever Crowe is able to squeeze a precious or funny moment out of a by-the-numbers script treatment. The film's armature seems bolted together out of secondhand parts, an irksome deja vu of previous films making their second or third appearance in what could have been a *Hamlet* for our times.
Rating: 
Summary: A Beautiful Lie
Review: The central theme of A Beautiful Mind, which is supposedly based on the true story of John Nash is; the enduring love between Nash and his wife. According to this movie her lifelong support of Nash led to his recovery from mental illness, and was the main reason he went on to win the Nobel Prize. This is the story presented by the screenwriter and Ron Howard. Now lets look at the TRUE story of John Nash and see how it compares to the Hollywood version. The REAL John Nash was not the loving family man shown on the screen. The REAL John Nash had NUMEROUS AFFAIRS with both women and men. One of these affairs resulted in the BIRTH of an ILLEGITIMATE CHILD whom John Nash ABANDONED and NEVER SUPPORTED. The REAL John Nash's destructive behavior resulted in his wife filing for a DIVORCE. They did NOT stay together as presented on the screen. The REAL John Nash tried on several occasions to RENOUNCE his American CITIZENSHIP. If John Nash's story is as compelling as Ron Howard and his screenwriter would like audiences to believe, they wouldn't have had to rewrite it. The story as presented in the film is nothing like the REAL story of John Nash. The story as told is more of a fantasy than Lord of The Rings. This is a pity because if they had stuck to the REAL story of John Nash they probably could have created a compelling film, case in point: The movie Patton swept the Oscars and is considered a classic character study. Watch the movie and you will see that the screenwriters did not try to sugarcoat Patton's character in order to make him more appealing to audiences. He was shown at his best and worst. We saw him slapping and threatening to shoot the shell-shocked soldier, we saw his lack of disregard for his own men in order to beat Montgomery, etc. etc. Ron Howard and the screenwriter of A Beautiful Mind should have been brave enough to present the REAL story of John Nash, complete with his faults rather than show us some sterilized version. This is not the only problem with this movie. The pacing is tedious at times, and the plot can be hard to keep up with. The only saving grace of this film is the great performance by Russell Crowe. I had high expectations when I went to see this movie. I am a big fan of both Ron Howard and Russell Crowe, but this film as presented is a major disappointment, and it is not worthy of the Oscar for best picture.
Rating: 
Summary: Brilliant performance that reminds of The Insider
Review: Rusell Crowe comes back with an outstanding performance that brings back to mind his role in Michael Mann's "The Insider," where he played the role of a former executive from a tobacco company that becomes persecuted by the company because how much he knew. This time around, he plays the role of mathematician John Nash, a brilliant mind who stands out of the rest of his peers while he attended Princeton. This put him in a position where he was bound to be involved with the Department of Defense in Top Secret operations, as "the world's best natural code-braker." However his mind plays games with him and drives him down a cliff of paranoia, ending up diagnosed with schizophrenia. His trip back from this problem with the help of his loving wife Alicia (played by beautiful Jennifer Connelly -"Requiem for a Dream") takes a central place in the movie, until he learns to live with the visions of his past that surround him while he gets in touch once again with what's real in life... A movie with a beautiful message of what's possible with the help of love and determination. See it. You will like it.
Rating: 
Summary: Your Social Responsibility
Review: It's your social responsibility to try to understand the struggle of others. Start here.
Rating:
Summary: The Beauty Within.
Review: Schizophrenia is a disease that most Americans know very little about. Schizophrenia is such a complex mental disease that it is quite difficult even to explain and discuss with those who are uneducated about the disease. Symptons are varied and each person is affected differently. In A BEAUTIFUL MIND, Ron Howard has pulled off an Oscar-worthy job of exploring one man's struggle with the disease through the life of Nobel Prize winner, John Nash. The film skips a great deal of Nash's life. However, in the two and a half hours that the movie runs, the audience is caught up in the life and mentality of Nash. No film can truly do justice to a person's life and achievements. However, movies can educate and inform us of greatness within our midst that would go otherwise unnoticed. A BEAUTIFUL MIND is such a film. Contrary to what some have suggested, the film deals with schizophrenia in a tasteful and thoughtful manner, illumining the audience to the false reality that schizophrenics exist within. Russel Crowe is once again superb and has earned another Oscar nomination with his performance of Nash. Though he is quickly becoming a matinee-idol type star, films like this continue to illustrate his skill and display that he has become one of Hollywood's elite not solely because of his looks (aka Tom Cruise), but because of his talent. Jennifer Connelly also pulls of an Oscar-worthy performance as Nash's wife. I've been a fan of Connelly since her early days starring in LABYRINTH and it's great to finally see her beginning to receive the recognition she deserves. She more than holds her own against the strong charisma of Russell Crowe. The movie does not have a great deal of time to deal with the relationship between Nash and his wife. Nevertheless, the film briefly touches upon their relationship without becoming sappy. Overall, a wonderful movie with great acting, exploring the horror of schizophrenia and the power of love. Not bad for a few bucks.
Rating:
Summary: Good look at Schizophrenia!
Review: I was actually living in Nash's bizarre world with him before I realized it was not reality. John Nash proved there is a very fine line between genious and madness. Working in the mental health field, I would like to say this disorder was looked at by the filmakers well. Needless to say, Crowe's interpretation of the externally tics, shyness and hyper-intellect, but internally troubled John Nash was superior. To be able to project on the screen the internal distress of the schizophrenic and his attempt and ability to function in everyday life was amazing. Bravo to all involved in getting this material to the screen!
Rating:
Summary: CROWE GIVES OSCAR PERFORMANCE AGAIN
Review: If you only see one movie this year, i recommend "A Beautiful Mind". It is basically a true story about one of America's most brilliant mathematician and Nobel Prize winner. Mr. Nash's struggle with mental illness is both sad and courageous....the movie portrayal of Mrs. Nash, a role meant for Jennifer Connelly, was one that shows her strength both as a wife and woman....the progression of time from 1941 to present was believable and accurate....and, of course, the director Ron Howard gave us a clear and uncluttered movie as is his style.
Rating:
Summary: Simply Stunning
Review: I thought that this movie was excellent and that everyone, especially Russell Crowe did an excellent job. Its basically about this math genius and how he must battle his mental illness. There are some scarey and tense scenes, so I would reccomend it only for the mature audience. There's been a huge battle in hollywood and how they left some things out of this movie, like John's struggle with homosexuality. I haven't read the book but I definately get the idea that this movie is much cleaner, and much more family appropriate than what is written in the book. Therefore its a movie that's worth seeing.
Rating:
Summary: Another heroic role for Russell Crowe
Review: Having seen the trailer for "A Beautiful Mind", I thought I knew what I was walking into when I sat down in the movie theater. Little did I know how amazed and moved I would be. The movie is based on the truely extraordinary life of a math genius who because of the love and caring of special people around him, and his stubborn will to survive, overcame and triumphed over great odds. Russell Crowe playing John Nash was convincingly brilliant and noble. He deserves another Oscar. And Jennifer Connelly as his loving wife Alicia gave a strong and multi-layered performance. And the musical score added the extra mystery that surrounded the film. All of the secondary characters, especially John Nash's roommate at Princeton, were quite wonderful. And personally, having had to deal with this terrible problem for the last decade, I can only say that it is unimaginable that a better movie could have been made about living with this devasting illness. Bravo Ron Howard!
Rating: 
Summary: I Fell Asleep
Review: I fell asleep during this film for about 10 minutes because it was that uninteresting. I don't understand how this got an Oscar for Best Picture. Those who determine best picture clearly do not understand what makes a well crafted film. These are the critics who believe that movies like 'Titanic', 'Shakespeare In Love' and 'Gladiator' are the greatest movies ever made. That's absurd. Just because they make a high gross at the box office does not make it the best movie. Plus, I think that 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' was ripped off last year and I hope that doesn't happen again. The films 'Mulholland Drive' and 'In The Bedroom' were much more powerful films with way stronger storylines and better direction. I was so impacted by these two films that I ended up seeing them both twice in the theater. 'A Beautiful Mind', however, left my mind right after I left the theater and I regretted even wasting my time. I did like the cast: Jennifer Connely, Ed Harris, Russell Crowe etc. which attracted me to see it but i was well disappointed. I'd rate this film a C-/C at the highest.
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