A film that towers over most every other one ever made!

Rating: Null/10 (29 March 2002)

I have had to suspend reading reviews posted here or I will lose it totally! I've got as far as "Quite good," "Russell Crowe was alright," "Could have been better," "James Horner's score was particularly bad," "Jennifer Connolly was nothing special," and personal fav, the bit about the "wasted Oscars!" My God - who ARE these people?
The brilliance of this film though, undoubtedly contributed to significantly by so many people, Howard, Connolly, Production team in particular, to name but three, comes down to just one thing in the wash-up: the totally awesome performance of Russell Crowe as Prof John Nash. Good as Denzel Washington was, it was obviously the BAFTA affair that cost Rusty the Oscar. So far ahead of the field with this towering performance, the Academy has cost itself total credibility by overlooking him. Granted, Crowe's behaviour was untenable but that should never have been any business of the Academy who are there solely to judge performances not social etiquette. I don't think I have ever seen an actor immerse himself so deeply in a role. His performance in GLADIATOR for example, though dignified, interesting and beautifully executed could never measure up to this mighty effort. It was the film itself that won it for him I believe. Here, he IS the film itself. I found his performance at times somewhat reminiscent of his role as the harassed Wiggins in THE INSIDER. (which should also have taken out Best Actor)
So much to take in here. With Crowe such a dynamic focus, it is easy to lose sight of other things. I thought Jennifer Connolly was beautifully natural, she is such a cutie! Without giving anything away, I would like to say that the two highlights of the film for me were Prof Nash saying "goodbye" to his friend's very young niece and his line "Have you met Harvey?" which must have gone over the heads of everyone less than 40! Crowe's mastery of facial expressions, hand movements..even the "walk" of John Nash brought to the fore the true art of "acting" here.
A film requiring multiple viewings, it will be for many, an incredibly emotional experience. It would be hard not to draw parallels in the closing scenes between this and Robert Donat's GOODBYE MR CHIPS?