Dissapointing Mindling

Rating: Null/10 (14 May 2002)

It's a dissapointment that the Oscar voters picked this as Best Picture, a film as ponderous as Crowe's burly physique. Because just about the only light moments in the story occur when his schizophrenic condition is used to draw laughs. So, if twisted logic is applied here, the sense of humour John Nash (Russell Crowe) is portrayed to possess is probably also delusional.
Ron Howard as Best Director for this? You just wonder why. He has not bothered to flesh out the real supporting characters other than Nash's wife (played by Jennifer Connelly, with more insightful performances); it's a curious point that the three people who only exist in Nash's mind affect him more than the real ones. Lord of The Rings and Amelie should have a better chance (of winning Best Picture) as they have better characterisation of the roles and deeper meaning of structure.
It's also weirdly remarkable that Crowe plays an older, beaten man more comfortably and believably than he does a sociopathic and arrogant young math genius (hah!) considering his real-life behaviour and attitude. 3 years ago, Crowe did an overall better job in The Insider.
Kudos to the make-up artist who aged Crowe, and that's about. Sigh