A Beautiful Mind is indeed beautiful

Rating: 8/10 (18 September 2011)

Ron Howard's A Beautiful Mind is complex yet touching wonderful story about a Mathematics genius John Nash who suffered paranoid schizophrenia. The film covers a lifetime of a man, his ambitions, his pain, his struggles and his discoveries. And the person who took the center stage is brilliant Russell Crowe. However, it is not safe to say that the film is flawless – particularly the direction - Howard's direction is focuses and tight in first two acts. But in third act, when the Nash gets old, the film goes like a conventional tear-jerker Hollywood schmaltz. Based on the book, the screenplay is very well written by Akiva Goldsman. The film does not entirely follows Dr. Nash's life and times, and did took some creative liberties showcasing his life. Also, I wanted to see a bit more of Nash's work – the film barely touches that.
Cinematographer Roger Deakins and composer James Horner contributed amazingly to the film. Editing in between the middle is slightly slow in pace, but I am nit-picking here. The man of the show is Russell Crowe. He brings great sense of humanity and emotions to his portrayal of John Nash. His body language, his dialog delivery is so effortless that you really think that he is John Nash. Jennifer Connelly also did a great job portraying Nash's loving wife. She was pitch perfect in many scenes, and perhaps her role itself defines the word 'Supporting'.
A Beautiful Mind is a well made film with wonderful performances. Although flawed, it is a film that will be remembered for Russell Crowe's beautiful performance. The film is a must watch, but it is certainly not a masterpiece.
8/10