New minimalism.

Rating: Null/10 (4 February 2003)

I read the book before I saw the film. The book is about a man's life, the film is about a man's schizophrenia. The book discusses relationships between people. The film brings in other people as a matter of convenience and doesn't do any relationship development at all. Judging by how artists view art as being the spiritual interpretation of the physical, the book is the physical the film is the spiritual and therefore art. I don't disagree with that at all. The way the film draws the viewer into the world of the schizophrenic is very effective and frightening. I don't know if Howard had Wilder's The Lost Weekend in mind when he did this film but there is certainly a spiritual comparison here.
The film is supposed to be based on Nasar's book but the only place I've heard most of the the things the film brings up are from Nash's own mouth as revealed in TV interviews. So don't look for a condensed version of the book, this film is something altogether different.
I suppose if Crowe hadn't thought it appropriate to flip off America's elite while filming at Princeton he would have won the Oscar for best male lead but as it was the film garnered wins in other areas that were entirely appropriate. Although not a must see for all viewers I rate this film a 3.5 out of 5 for those who want to see something very new.