BRILLIANT DISGUISE

Rating: Null/10 (26 December 2001)

A BEAUTIFUL MIND (2001) *** Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, Ed Harris, Paul Bettany, Adam Goldberg, Anthony Rapp, Judd Hirsch, Christopher Plummer, Josh Lucas, Vivien Cardone, Austin Pendleton. True-life account of brilliant mathematician John Forbes Nash, Jr. (an excellently modulated Crowe) whose genius for numbers is only matched by his bout with schizophrenia throughout his struggle to make a name for himself in his field and control the demons within. Connelly as his wife/partner for the long run Alicia is equally at her career best with her surprising choices along the way in the time-taking yet thoroughly compelling screenplay by Akiva Goldsman's adaptation of Sylvia Nasar's book. Director Ron Howard's most mature work to date with minimal histrionics.