Rating: 
Summary: She loved not wisely ...but well 3 1/2 Stars
Review: Andrew Sarris, the dean of the Auteur theory of film criticism said recently that "A Beautiful Mind" was the best film he had seen on the condition of mental illness. And I would have to agree, in that along with the requisite "snake pit" type shock treatments and patients running about frothing at the mouth, there seems to be clear, concise minds behind the conception and implementation of this film...i.e Ron Howard and Akiva Goldman, the screenwriter.
And it doesn't hurt to have Russell Crowe around to essay the role of John Nash, the real life Mathematics genius and Nobel Prize winner. But I think it is Jennifer Connelly who really, finally comes into her own as an actress after many fine
performances in films like "Inventing the Abbots" and in particular, "Requiem for a Dream." As Alicia Nash, she gives a persuasive, eloquent performance of an intelligent woman who "loves not wisely but well." She is John Nash's only support and backbone who doesn't lose faith in him when all signs point to her taking the proverbial hike.
Sarris was obviously referring to the scenes in "A Beautiful Mind" in which John Nash is literally confronted with his demons and chooses to ignore them as a way of coping and perservering. Nash knows he's schizophrenic and conditions himself to cope with it. These are scary scenes, heretofore unseen in any film I can think of, and they are genuinely moving.
This is the most successful of Ron Howard's serious films and he is to be congratulated on making this one as realistic as he could without descending into the ridiculous and maudlin.
Rating: 
Summary: Unhinged Mind in the Movies
Review: This is a masterfully made movie. What it lacks in historical accuracy, it balances with imagination, suspense, and outstanding performance by the entire cast. Making a movie about a mathematician for the mass market is a daunting task, but Ron Howard, the cast, and the entire crew more than met the challenge. Everybody here is a potential Oscar nominee, and if the make up crew does not get one, something is rotten in Hollywood. The approach chosen in this film is to show the effect of schizophrenia from the inside, from the perspective of the genius-sufferer John Nash. The director uses this manuever to full advantage, including the use of a fatal car chase and some gore, which of course would have been impossible without Nash's paranoid delusions.Perhaps purists, who demand historical accuracy, will be less than satisfied with the film, but I do not believe that Howard could have made a more historically complete choice and still kept his audience. For one thing, Nash was neither as pathetic, nor as lovable, as he is portrayed in the film. In his younger days as a student at Princeton, his arrogance and sarcasm overshadowed his aloofness and early symptoms of incipient schizophrenia. This is not quite what the movie portrays. Second, Nash's real life story is far more complicated than a two-hour uplifting life/love story that is the movie. Many important details about him are left out for the sake of idealistic aspirations of the movie. For example, there is no mention of his early homosexual tendencies; his brief life with his mistress and the child they had together; his work for the RAND Corporation in Santa Monica (yes, Nash did have a security clearance and access to classified information, which he lost soon after he made a pass to an undercover police officer in a public bathroom--in this sense George Michael is a case of dejavu); the fact that he and Alicia got divorced after Nash fell ill, even though Alicia did take him back in 1970; the fact that his second child, which he had with Alicia, became mentally ill in his teens and remains so to this day, as far as I know; the fact that when Nash experienced spontaneous remission he again became overly critical and even sometimes cruel toward those who loved him. I think you get the picture: Nash's life story is complicated and is less idealistic and uplifting than the movie. Even his paranoid tendencies were less rational and humane than the movie shows. As far as I remember, his problem did NOT lie in seeing nonexistent people. After all, how terrible is it to have an imaginary friend, an overzealous government employer, and to fear Russian spies? In truth, Nash believed that space aliens made him the King of Antarctica, that the U.S. and NATO hated him for some reason (he traveled to Europe and tried to give up his U.S. citizenship with amazing persistence), and that it was alien messages from outer space, not Russian codes that he had to decipher. But if you want to know more, read the book by the same title. The movie stands alone as a superb work of cinematography and as an uplifting, if not entirely true story. The basic premise however is true: Nash was a mentally ill genius and Alicia was a saint.
Rating:
Summary: Great Movies
Review: It's one of the best movies that I've seen in a long time. Russell Crowe is very believable in the lead role. He should be nominated for an acamedy award. Since I didn't know anything about the story I was left me not knowing what was real and what wasn't and I was totally shocked to find out it was a true story.
It's definately worth seeing.
Rating:
Summary: STUNNING, BREATHLESS AND ARTFUL PROSE ON THE BIG SCREEN
Review: Having only seen the previews for A Beautiful Mind before seeing the film, I was nothing short of stunned when I left the theater. Stunned that a book absent from the public eye focusing on a brilliant man, A Beautiful Mind could be brought to the screen only with a cinematic and heartfelt commitment. Impressed that Russell Crowe, who is quickly becoming one of the best actors of all time, could portray a man so full of cerebral electricity that he himself became John Nash in a sense. And certainly I was left breathless that Ron Howard could return filmmaking to its basic roots, telling a story without lots of flash and special effects. A Beautiful Mind moved me perhaps more than any film in most of my life. To delve deep into the troubled yet passionate mind of John Nash through Crowe's eyes is an inspiration of life itself. I dare say that this film will sweep the Oscars, and even if it doesn't, it garners the honor of being a classic for all ages.
Rating: 
Summary: Just as its main character, "Mind" wins over its obstacles.
Review: "A Beautiful Mind" proves just how much effective performances can carry a movie. Russell Crowe and Jennifer Connelly are the centerpiece of this biopic of John Forbes Nash, Jr, and throughout the movie's entire, they remain as such, due to the fact that director Ron Howard doesn't seem to have a knack for giving the film a steady pace. This is a shame, given the incredible acting on the part of Crowe, who plays Nash's paranoia and delusional schizophrenia in a most moving fashion. Beginning with his years at Princeton University, we bear witness to Nash's constant roaming of his mind to try and come up with something original and important that will scribe his name in history. His roommate, Charles (Paul Bettany), urges him to get out more, to get to know the people he goes to school with, but Nash presses on until he comes up with the paper that gets him the credentials he needs to go anywhere in life. After attaining a professorship at MIT, things are going well for him, until he crosses paths with William Parcher (Ed Harris), a government official who warns him of a Russian conspiracy that hopes to smuggle a portable nuclear weapon into the country. As he explains it, there are spies working within the United States, and communication among their network depends on secret codes and messages embedded within the articles of newspapers and periodicals. Nash, who rises to the challenge of cracking these codes, takes on the top-secret assignment. Up to this point, Howard has done well to set up Nash's life in a manner that keeps us wanting to know more about him. His years at Princeton contain a variety of uplifting and downtrodden moments, and his government assignment carries with it a sinister, unknown element that sets up the film's second half. Nash's marriage to Alicia, while making him the happiest man on earth, throws a wrench in Parcher's plans, as Nash's married life and his forthcoming child requires more of his attention. He begins warning Nash that Russian spies are on the lookout for him; later, at a math conference at Princeton, he is taken away by strange men, all the while screaming for help in vain. At this turn of events, the film becomes a powerful one, creating a very unsettling atmosphere that brings home the reality of schizophrenic delusions with effective results. The government assignment, Parcher, Charles and his young niece... all the figments of Nash's vivid and often nightmarish imagination. The men he believes to be the Russian spies he was warned about are, in reality, psychiatrists trying to calm the storm of his mind, while Alicia remains hopeful yet suspicious of her husband's stability. Despite Ron Howard's camera trickery and treatment of Nash's delusions, Crowe's acting is the life force of his character's situation. The fact that life as he knows it has been called into question is very disturbing, and watching him hold onto these visions is even more tense. Crowe is able to portray Nash in such a way that we feel a great deal of emotion for him, and care for him enough to want to see him reach a certain sense of stability in life. Jennifer Connelly, relatively unknown to most until this film, portrays Alicia Nash with the caring and supportive nature that is needed to balance her character's feelings of devotion with the unbearable need to break free. Her acting is strong and able, and when crossed with that of her costar, the two become the life force of the film, the source of all things important to the story. All of this is put into extreme jeopardy, however, by Howard's inadequate pacing and awkward directing, keeping the film slow and melodramatic in places where it should be concise and intense. The entire movie is cast in a drab cloud of slow movement that is almost aggravating, threatening to bring down the film's many touching moments. Much of the second and final thirds is crammed with confrontations between Nash and his mind's eye, instead of developing his willpower as he struggles to recover without the help of medication. While this is a heartwarming move on the part of Nash, the film rushes it far too much, and lessens the impact in doing so. In the end, just as its main character, "A Beautiful Mind" wins over its obstacles to become a better-than-average biopic with some very influential and touching moments, crowned by stunning performances from its two shimmering leads. It's a tearjerker that doesn't evoke too many sniffles, unfortunately, due to our growing sense of disinterest as a result of its deliberately slow pacing. In regards to his film, Howard's mind is in the right place, but his heart is elsewhere.
Rating:
Summary: All around great movie.
Review: Great acting by Russell Crowe combined with a great story and great direction make this a winner movie. At times I was almost amazed at how well Crowe played his part... very real & honest without overacting. I wish I could express more.
Rating:
Summary: Terrific Movie!
Review: "A Beautiful Mind," A serious, comedic, educational, (and many other adjetives) work of art. This is a movie that you think about for hours and even days after you saw it. I recommend it to everyone, although, it is not appropriate for children under the age of 13 (by the way, I am 15). For children under this age, it would be hard to understand and possibly a bit scary. A ***** MOVIE!
Rating:
Summary: Howard, Crowe Bring John Nash To Life
Review: As we go about our daily rituals and routines of living, in our own individual way, whether we are conscious of it or not, we are conforming to what we know to be the reality of our existence; a tangible, substantive reality we recognize, understand and trust. And our senses provide the proof of that reality. If we can see it, we can believe it-- which we do, and with good reason. It's real. But then again, what is "real" to one person isn't necessarily real to another, because there are instances in which an individual's "reality" exists only within the boundaries of his own mind, in a shadowland not unlike what many would think of as the Twilight Zone. Only this place is not the creation of Rod Serling, but a very real place which exists-- with parameters set according to the individual-- within the mind of a schizophrenic. And it is to that place that director Ron Howard takes us in "A Beautiful Mind," starring Russell Crowe. Crowe plays John Nash, a mathematical genius, who since the late forties has left his mark on such prestigious bastions of knowledge as MIT and Princeton, and whose "Equilibrium n-tuple" is perhaps the most important idea in noncooperative game theory ever conceived; equilibrium strategies being the things we predict about people. It's not been an easy road for Nash, however. As he himself puts it, he doesn't like people much; nor do they, in general, like him. And it's made constructive social interaction something of a problem for him throughout his life. Beginning as early as his student days at Princeton, he was noticeably "different," not only in his relationships with others, but in the way he conducted his academic pursuits. Even within his small group of friends-- fellow students-- he is a challenge. He seems able to open up only to a select few: His roommate, Charles (Paul Bettany), being the first and foremost, and later the somewhat mysterious Government agent, William Parcher (Ed Harris), whom Nash first encounters while involved in a project at the Pentagon, and eventually one of his students, Alicia (Jennifer Connelly). Nevertheless, his future is filled with promise, but in the early '50s, while doing some covert work for Parcher, the mental illness which will devastate his life becomes apparent, and his life takes an unexpected turn into that shadowland that will test the loyalty of even those who love him the most. One of the reasons for Ron Howard's success as a director is that he understands human nature and has the ability to convey his insights to his audience. He knows how to express the inner-most feelings of his characters in a way in which the viewer will be able to identify and relate. And this film is no exception. In bringing John Nash's story to the screen, he concentrates on the man, rather than the illness, and it's that which makes this such riveting drama. While we get a glimpse of the physical horrors of schizophrenia, it's in witnessing the devastating and debilitating effects of it on Nash and those close to him that makes the film so emotionally involving. Howard seems to be saying, this is a man's "life" we're dealing with, not just an academic case study; it's the humanity of the story that's important-- and that's exactly what he delivers. He tells the story in a way that allows the viewer to empathize with Nash, as well as those around him, and he makes Nash a sympathetic character without resorting to any mawkish sentimentality. Howard gives you Nash as he is, an individual of extraordinary ability, with achievements and problems to match, and presented within a framework that is very real and entirely effective. As Nash, Russell Crowe once again demonstrates that he is so much more than just a celebrity or a "movie star," but an actor in the truest and purest sense of the word. When you can watch an actor doing a part and completely forget that what you're watching is a performance, you know the work is exceptional, which is exactly what Crowe is here. The story follows Nash through a span of close to fifty years, and the aging process is presented seamlessly by Crowe, who takes his character from youth to old age quite naturally and so subtly, that as you're watching you don't even give it a thought until, at the end, you suddenly realize that you've just experienced a man's entire life. Howard and some outstanding makeup work must take some of the credit, of course, but beyond that it's Crowe who sells it, who makes it so real and brings Nash so credibly to life. It's a performance that has Oscar written all over it, and deservedly so. After a string of outstanding performances in a number of films (like "Requiem For A Dream" and "Waking the Dead"), Jennifer Connelly should finally receive some of the acclaim she is due with her portrayal of Alicia. Early in the film she effectively plays to her natural, dark beauty, but this is decidedly not a glamorous role, and as the story progresses Connelly successfully manages a much deeper expression of who her character really is and what she is made of. It's an emotionally challenging role, and she certainly rises to the occasion. And, like Crowe, she develops her character quite naturally, not only physically, but through a maturity of manner and perspective, as well. It's a good piece of work, and if justice prevails she will receive the notice she deserves for it, because it's definitely one of the many strengths of the film. The supporting cast includes Christopher Plummer (Dr. Rosen), Adam Goldberg (Sol), Vivien Cardone (Marcee), Judd Hirsch (Helinger) and Josh Lucas (Hansen) . Thought provoking and emotionally stirring, "A Beautiful Mind" is, in the final analysis, a beautiful film, rich in it's humanity, and a journey that should not be missed.
Rating:
Summary: One of Crowe's best.
Review: Russell Crowe puts in probably one of the best performances of his career as the genius, Nobel Prize winning mathematician John Nash. Based on a true story, John Nash attends Princeton and completes his Ph.D. dissertation on a revolutionary topic that eventually changes the way the financial world works. After graduation he accepts a prestigious position at the Wheeler Institute that does work for the government. Nash is at the top of his career when he gets sucked into a decoding project by William Parcher (Ed Harris). During this time he meets his future wife Alicia (Jennifer Connelly) and starts a family. But his brushes with the life of espionage begin to take its toll and John's paranoid-schizophrenic side begins to reveal itself. John Nash was always known to be a little strange and quirky, but where did his real life begin and his imaginary one end? I'll leave that up to the viewing of the flick. As I said above, Russell Crowe really is a great actor. He gets blasted as being overrated (mainly because of Gladiator), but the guy really can act and convince us that he's someone other than Russell Crowe. Sadly, if Crowe does not win a Best Actor Oscar (which he probably won't) for this roll, that will make his award for Gladiator even that much more worthless and pointless. His performance in A Beautiful Mind is head and shoulders above what he gave us in Gladiator. Jennifer Connelly also puts in one of the best performances of her career. In fact, the entire cast doesn't have a single weak link. It's really hard to talk more to the plot without giving away some of the twists. But I can say that the ending is not one of these sappy ones (because it's true) or sad ones (where the struggling hero gets killed). The only reason I didn't bump it up into the A- territory is that it's just a teeny bit on the longish side. For a movie that is almost 100% action-free, relying on dialogue for over 2 hours is a hard thing to pull off. Ron Howard's directing is spot on as usual. If you like movies where the hero is intelligent yet vulnerable...you should dig A Beautiful Mind.
Rating:
Summary: A Moving Exploration of Brilliance & Schizophrenia
Review: I was moved and fascinated by Russell Crowe's sensitive portrayal of John Nash as a brilliant mathematician plagued by the debilitating disease of schizophrenia. The story begins when Nash is at Princeton in the last 1940's pursuing his Ph.D. degree. He yearns to be important and have a breakthrough idea, but the interior world of his mind that he inhabits leaves him no time or desire for social interaction with others. He is intense, arrogant and competitive, and often not very likeable. He develops a ground-breaking equilibrium theory and receives the highest honors and an appointment to a government think-tank at MIT, where he earns a reputation as the best code breaker ever known. He is also supposed to teach a math class, which he occasionally remembers to do, and falls in love with one of his students, played by the beautiful, charismatic Jennifer Connelly. While at MIT he is approached by Parchman, a mysterious CIA operative, complete with black-hat and trench coat, played skillfully by Ed Harris. Parchman asks Nash to work with him on extracting codes imbedded in magazines and newspapers by the Russians who are hiding deadly nuclear bombs somewhere in the U.S. Nash becomes obsessed with this project to the exclusion of all his other work, and through this project his schizophrenia is finally revealed. The course of treatment for his mental disease is disturbing and tense. The audience is never certain what is in his mind and what is real. The brutal shock treatments and drug therapy leave him functioning like a zombie, and the ultimate irony of a brilliant mind flawed by mental disease is alarming. After a powerful episode where he has stopped taking his medications, and has threatened the lives of his wife and child, he finally admits his delusions and both he and his wife become committed to fighting the disease. It seems the best therapy, for Nash anyway, was to admit that some of the characters that inhabited his world were delusions, but to no longer allow them to control him. He returns to Princeton, and spends his days hanging around the library, working on his formulas and theories, and is eventually allowed to teach a class. The faculty and students accept him as an eccentric, harmless academic. Crowe displays an awesome range of acting skill in playing a brash, young student, a frenetic mad man, a humble supplicant, and eventually a doddering old oddball. The final feel-good scene where he accepts his Nobel Prize in Sweden could have felt like blatant audience manipulation, but instead felt like a well-earned tribute to Nash, the brilliant, but ultimately flawed mind and the beautiful relationship he had sustained with his loving, supportive wife.
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