Reality is in the mind of the beholder...

Rating: 8/10 (18 February 2002)

...or the person that defines that reality.
Based on the true-to-life story of John Nash this film may have you questioning reality or your perception of it.
This is Russell Crowe's film; he is in every scene and, in reality, surpasses the material. He starts as a college freshman and by film end is a Nobel Laureate and is supremely believable.
In order to define himself he needs other people (as do we all). Ed Harris and Jennifer Connelly fulfill these roles sublimely.
The film fulfills its role too. Just as John Nash does the audience questions what -- and more importantly, who -- is real.
In order for this film to work the audience must question what is presented to them as reality. John Nash must do the same.
Magnificent photography, great editing and an incredible soundtrack all add to the sense of (un)reality.
Schizophrenia is a hard subject to tackle -- let alone film -- but Ron Howard takes Akiva Goldsman's script and does it well and, more important, believably.
However, the audience must ask: What is reality and who defines it?