A Beautiful Mind Reviews

Must see - an excellent movie

Rusell Crowe's performance in 'A Beautiful Mind' is nothing short of billiant as he portrays John Nash, the tormented mathematical genius.

This is an 'all is not what it appears to be' type of film that keeps you guessing right to the end.

Definitely worth watching and is one film that really deserves it's oscar.

A Beautiful Film

A Beautiful Mind is a stunningly good biopic depicting the life of mathematician John Nash. Beginning with his early days at Princeton university, the film introduces us to Nash's social ineptness and guides us through his career.

Although the viewer is already fully aware that Nash will, at some point, be revealed to be mentally ill - that's the whole point of the film, after all! - it is nonetheless something of a surprise to find the extent of Nash's illness, leaving us filled with a tremendous sympathy for Nash. Without realising, we have been drawn into his illness, and are left with the same bewildered inability to work out what's real and what isn't.

It's a cunning trick, and one that director Ron Howard deserves credit for. If that's not enough, the manner in which Nash overcomes his illness and the rewards this brings provide a skilful, satisfying end to the movie. Well worth watching, and if you're concerned about the mathematical side to the story, don't be - there's nothing dry or formulaic about this film, and that includes the maths.

[Highly rated reviewer]

Orthodox direction but still good

I've never really felt the desire to watch this film as Ron Howard has a very textbook feel to the few films that I have seen of his and it does creep in at times, but not to the detriment of an orthodox Hollywood film. Russell Crowe got another Oscar nomination for this and it is deserved as he shines throughout, with solid support elsewhere, although I wasn't really getting the love between the two leads that obviously plays a very big part of the story and it loses a bit because of it. That said, the portrayal of the mental health of Crowe's character I found to be riveting and although I couldn't even begin to suggest whether it's accurate or not, it was very interesting and the strongest part of the film. Another pleasant surprise.

Very good drama

Takes a little while to work out what is really happening, but keeps you hooked. A good thoughtfull film.

Something to Crowe about

Wow, I never realised Russell Crowe could act, I always thought he was just muscle in movies. I was hooked from its commencement. Excellent film. I don't want to return it...one for the shopping list.

Surprisingly Excellent

I had no idea whatsoever what this film was about. I don't even know why i rented it, but I wasn't dissappointed. It tells the tale of a genius who is slightly sociably unstable. Later in the film you really start thinking about things because the plot twists and turns and you don't know what the real truth is.

A really moving story, based on a true story, makes for an excellent 2 hours entertainment, but only for true film-lovers. This is not really a film you'd sit down to watch on a Saturday night, but more of an insight into situations and how the mind works. An unforgettable film that really makes you think. Top drawer stuff.

NOT ACCURATE - BUT GOOD

After reading Sylvia Nassar's biography, I was reluctant to watch as I didn't think Hollywood would do justice. Not a bad effort at all, but misses SO MUCH of Nash's life i.e. his renouncement of his U.S. citizenship as he drifted around Europe, 'getting signals from outer space', his abandonment of Alicia etc. As a film 8/10, as a biography 5/10.

It got 5 out of 5 for me!

I watched this film with no expectations, but finished it thinking wow. The film offers a different perspective than that which is usually portrayed of schizophrenics in films - a film with a refreshing difference.

What can I say, what a great story (why is it, that true stories always seem so much better than fiction). They say that genius is the closest thing to madness, this is a film about someone coming to terms with the fact that they are mentally ill and how through immense willpower and the support of a loving wife this illness is beaten when many thought it could not. I for one will not be so quick to judge people after seeing this movie. <br><br>Well written, well acted and well directed, the three ingredients for a great film. This is a class act through and through.

thought provoking

This is a 'slow-burner' film that guides you into the story of John Nash slowly but surely. I personally didn't think it was so slow that you struggled to stick with it, though the wife did! However, once the film has set out its stall and starts to unravel some of the 'truths' in the film then she got into it. By the end she felt it was a brilliant film. I thought so too. You could pick at it for odd accents and over-cliched characterisation but what's the point? If it brings tears to your eyes like it did us, then it has achieved what it set out to do and we felt it more than worth renting and watching!