A Beautiful
Mind (***)
review by Ken Gumbs
Just another reason for me to hate math. A Beautiful Mind proves that math is
not only boring but can actually make you go insane. Russell Crowe plays famed
Nobel Prize winner John Nash. He is brilliant, he is kinda weird, he falls in
love, he goes crazy, he wins an award. The
popcorn will be firmly lodged in between your teeth and shoes will stick to
the soda-stained floor. It’s Ron Howard’s latest popcorn movie, A
Beautiful Mind.
Halfway into the film, Nash begins to suffer from schizophrenia and finds comfort
from his loving wife played by Jennifer
Connelly. Some critics were up in arms, accusing the film of not accurately
portraying Nash’s life. I could care less. Hollywood has always felt free
to bend the truth to make more interesting stories and I don’t mind that.
The Academy graced this film with its highest honor a few months back, I would
have to say that may have been too generous. Performances by both Crowe and
Connelly are good and Ed Harris is excellent in his supporting role. I would
rate A Beautiful Mind as a good movie, but not the greatest film of the year.
I was left with one question, though. Where was Clint Howard? He usually has a bit part in most of big brother’s films. I love that guy.
respond to ken@filmbrats.com