Reveals common misconceptions about mental illness, in particular schizophrenia, using a brilliant mathematician as a vehicle.

Rating: 8/10 (13 January 2003)

This film is not meant to be a biography; if you want an accurate
biography go read a book...you cannot make a film into a
biography. The film does not set out to explain modern theories of
economics and quantum physics ( again, find an Idiot's Guide! ). I
have personal experience of mental illness, and the great worth of
the film is its focus on the nightmarish experience of
schizophrenia, and the general lack of understanding about it,
even in the 21st century; it has more impact as well by showing
how such an illness can possibly destroy the mind of a genius. Of
course in addition how it could wreck one's family, relationships
and career. The film is generally empathetic about how his wife
and close friends stick by him, which is so important, no matter
how scary things can get, and also shows the importance of using
available drug therapy. It also demonstrates the ability of the
sufferer of this illness to overcome it to the degree of being able to
live a successful life, by acknowledging the illness ( a physical
illness which attacks the brain...I do not like the term mental
illness ), and striving to fight those thoughts and images that you
know are irrational, even though they can be so real. In the film the
imaginary characters are more real to the viewers of the film than
they are to those not close to Nash; thus trying to demonstrate to
us the absolute reality of these figures in the mind of the afflicted
person. Throughout his life these "imaginary" characters were
always real, he just chose not to acknowledge them or speak to
them; he had the advantage of being supremely intelligent and
understanding his disease; and in his final speech he acknowledges mathematics, quantum theory, and his own imagination as part of his make up; he embraces them; they are
part of who is John Nash, thus raising the ever stimulating
question of what reality actually is.