Mind boggling, a beautiful film, sad yet poignant *?SPOILERS*

Rating: 9/10 (24 October 2004)

After watching Russell Crowe in "Gladiator" who would've thought he'd appear in another fantastic film and perform yet again as the immensely talented actor that he is. This drama has a complex story line, but it's a complex topic, so expect nothing less than a complex movie. Mind boggling to say the least. This movie is a love story, a story of a triumph over one of the least talked about diseases around; mental illness. Ron Howard takes us into the mind of a schizophrenic and he does it so beautifully, so tenderly. Aside from the story of one man's life, Mr. Howard brings the sadness and misfortune of a terrible disease into our minds as we are shown the mind of one of it's victims, John Nash. It's an extraordinary story of an extraordinary man, with an extraordinary life.
It begins with John Nash entering into Princeton's graduate program and we are given a peek into his "brilliant" mind...and slowly into his illness. Of course, with dramatic license we are told of a great love story, but I wonder of the truthfulness of that part (Mr. and Mrs. Nash were divorced for some years and remarried a few years before the movie was made, not as the movie portrayed) but, for the purpose of the movie we are not angry for the minor alterations of reality.
Ed Harris is so good in this we almost believe he is real as Parcher, a character that only exists in John's mind. As is Paul Bettany, Nash's "roommate" and "friend"..while we are watching we are unsure and fooled into thinking their roles are that of actual men, when they are not. Thank Ron Howard for that. I later read that there are clues to show us before the viewer is made aware of it...for instance...when Charles' niece is playing in the field with the birds, running around, the birds don't fly away, hence she is not real...also, Charles is not seen at Nash's wedding and while we may wonder why, we aren't sure at that point why.
Also, there is some truth to the fact of John Nash working for the government, we just don't know to what extent. In the movie, there is a fine line between what the viewer is shown to be real and imagined. That's what makes it so good, so artistically crafted. A creative scene in which we see Russell Crowe called to a top secret room to decipher "messages" with the montage of computerized numbers is perfect. It's as if he's spinning out of control. Or perhaps a glimpse into his brilliant yet affected mind.
There are many poignant moments in the film. To name a couple; when Nash's rival allows him to take office at Princeton while fully aware of his illness. He shows compassion we should all have for the mentally ill. Also, when he receives the pens in the tea room, we see that he is recognized for his work and not shunned because of his condition.
A beautiful Mind is a beautiful story with few flaws (one I feel I should mention is Crowe's accent, it could have been better..not that I could do better but it sounded off)
This is another movie that will not be forgotten and will go down in film history books. Not only for the talent of those involved in making it, but for it's contribution to awareness of an ugly, ignored disease that affects so many...this is one you've got to see, even own (the DVD, of course for the special features) I give it 9/10*