Didn't think I'd like it, ended up LOVING it

Rating: 10/10 (10 August 2002)

I had many opportunities to see this film and yet I kept passing it by, thinking it just wasn't for me. I had never really been fond of Russell Crowe, math, Ron Howard, or paranoid schizophrenia. And just didn't find the subject matter intriguing. I was mistaken! ****POSSIBLE SPOILERS****This movie grabbed me from the beginning and held my interest until the ending credits. Crowe took the viewers with him as he plumetted further and further into false reality, and then he took us back out as he was , with the help of his wife and friends, able to control his delusions. I am pleased that this film won best screenplay, but disappointed that Best Actor did not go to Crowe. He was brilliant, and he has changed my mind about his abilities as an actor. This movie has gotten some criticism for not staying true to the book and for being too "Hollywood" and/or "sentimental". To those people, first of all, IT IS A MOVIE, you cannot change that. Movies and books are different. Things have to be changed, added, or taken out here and there to make films work, it's that simple. If you haven't seen this yet, rent it. Actually, you might as well BUY it to add to your collection. It is truly a work of art. 10/10