A Beautiful Film

Rating: Null/10 (11 February 2002)

I went to a screening of the film, A Beautiful Mind this weekend. Let me start by saying that I was openly skeptical about seeing this film due to two key things. First off, this film was directed by none other than Ron Howard, which should put a foul taste in your mouth (for those of you who have seen The Grinch, can relate). Second, I'm not the biggest fan of Russel Crowe. I thought his performance in Gladiator, was a bit over rated (as was the movie). The only thing, that got my ass in the seat was Jennifer Connely. She is one of the most under rated actresses in Hollywood. Her performance in Requiem For A Dream, was over looked by the Oscars, and the Academy. Let's start by saying that I will not be mentioning this man's real life, which is the target of bad reviews that I have read lately saying that the story line left out some key things of his life, such as adultery, etc. To me, this isn't what makes a film, so we can skip that for now. This film's opening, gives you no hint, as to what you are to expect. A student at a promising University, allowed to attend thanks to a special Grant he recieved from the state. Russel Crow's character seems to hardly fit in with the rest of the mathematicians. The opening scene is a proffesor speeking to the class about how mathematicians are the real people who win wars, for our country, by cracking codes, that are read by our enemies, giving their ego's a boost, and also throwing some partiotic duty propaganda in your face. This may, or may not was a good decision, as it almost gave away the whole plot. Russel Crow starts to gain friendship with the bunch, and discovers his wacky room mate, who drinks, and disagrees with his constant studying. The character watches his classmates succeed by publishing their work, while Crowe, is left behind, working on a formula that many say are impossible to prove. Dispite what they say, he continues to go deeper into this formula, and never gives up. Crow's performance in this film was actually impressive. Showing us that he can ditch this whole "tough guy" appeal, and enter the mind of a true genius. The way that he portrayed a man, that could have been looked at as a geek, was an awesome performance. The plot seems to drag, and go nowhere for the first half an hour, but for those who of you who have finished the film, you would know, that this is needed. The way that Ron Howard visually shows us, how Russel Crowe, cracks these complex codes in his head using CGI, may, or may not have taken away from the film. I thought it was a little too simplistic, and took away from the raw intelligence, this man was supposed to have. Let's enter Jennifer Connely's performance, as I thought it was the performance that made this film. She starts out as Crow's student, many years later from his own days of being a student. He is a careless professor. Not careless about mathematics, but careless about his students, as he believes mathematics cannot truly be taught. He opens by giving the class a problem that he claims will take a lifetime to solve. Now, the way that this film's plot merged the characters of Crowe, and Connely, was strange, and at times just plain confusing. Even going back to the film, I think they made some mistakes with their character interaction. But besides these few flaws, Connely's performance seems to save Crowe, and Howard. The plot seemed to stick to the story fairly well, but it was the last half an hour of this film, that throws everything together, and makes me call this a truly beautiful film. At times, I had a hard time with what I was watching. The way that they go into his mind, and show him starting to go crazy, is hard to watch, as they did a good job, of making you feel for this bitter man. The direction of the film was quite eligant, and was thought threw to avoid a turkey, yet you can still feel that Ron Howard had thrown in his little "directing methods" that took away from the raw feeling of terror, which was supposed to strike the viewers numerous times during this film. All in all I say that this is a new genre of film, and the wonderful performances of two gifted actors, and the intrigueing storyline, of this genius' fall from glory, made this a beautiful film. I felt myself, waiting in anticipation to see the ending, and by the end credits, felt myself, craving to see this film again. A truly breakthrough film for both Crowe, and Howard, although nothing new for this talented actress known as Jennifer Connley. Her wonderful performance makes this film, a must see, by any standards. Ron Howard's "break through performance" hype, wasn't under lived at all. I can see him being a new director now, and producing decent films, in the future as long as he has the talented actors, and actresses, to save him. 9.8 out of 10.