cinemacl🎃wn’s review published on Letterboxd:
Winner of 4 Academy Awards including Best Picture, A Beautiful Mind is a finely crafted biopic based on the life of schizophrenic mathematician John Nash and covers his struggle with his condition. Although the artistic license taken here makes it far more cinematic than required, the film nonetheless succeeds as a touching, entertaining & satisfying drama.
Based on the novel of the same name, the story begins in 1947 when the young John Nash arrives at Princeton University. Eccentric but brilliant, Nash graduates with flying colours, is hired by MIT but begins exhibiting troubling symptoms of a mental illness which in the long run affects not only his personal & professional life but also those around him.
Directed by Ron Howard, there are many things it does right but as a biopic, it also leaves out or alters the facts way too much for dramatic purposes. Also, Howard has always preferred to play the safe game, avoiding any bold risks and this film is no different. The technical aspects are expertly carried out but it's the performances that are the film's true highlights.
Featuring a reliable cast in Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, Ed Harris, Martin Hansen & others, the film is bolstered by strong & sincere emotional performances from its cast with Crowe & Connelly impressing the most in their respective roles of John Nash & his wife Alicia. Also adding more strength in welcome doses is the warm cinematography, steady pace & James Horner's elegant score.
On an overall scale, A Beautiful Mind is a surprisingly moving film which despite being a bit manipulative remains entertaining & gripping from start to finish. Although the authenticity of its take on Nash's life & mental illness can be argued, its 135 mins story feels rather satisfying in the end. Definitely one of the better films of its year and certainly one in the career of Crowe, Connelly & Howard.