A Beautiful Mind, Maximum Russell Crowe

A Beautiful Mind:
I think critics / magazines will FINALLY stop talking about Russell's personal life, arms, thighs and other (obvious) physical attributes, etc. with this film and focus more on his talent. Maybe they will finally realize that we are such devoted fans NOT just because he’s so easy on the eyes, but because of his enormous talent and the way he manages to just disappear into whatever character he is playing and to become that character completely.

In ABM, Russell is really great at expressing the many insecurities and the difficulties Nash has in connecting in any way with other people. In the beginning of the film, Nash is an arrogant but insecure young man. The way Russell plays the part, it makes the onset of Nash’s illness VERY believable and almost inevitable. [He] just tears your guts out in this part of the film and so does Jennifer Connelly as his wife. She and Russell are really amazing together. You really believe these characters care about each other. The rest of the cast is top notch also.

I don’t want the film to sound maudlin, cliché or trite, because it’s not that way at all. Nash is never glamorized and excuses are never made for him; he is just what he is and we learn to love and care about him for it. [There is an] immense amount of much needed humour in the film. Some of Russell's lines (guffaws) as Nash are just hilarious and are going to become classics because they so PERFECTLY express the character.

I was very impressed by Ron Howard's superb and subtle direction. The way Howard visually portrays Nash’s schizophrenia are truly inspired, brilliant and surprising. And this math dunce also appreciated the very clever ways Howard managed to explain/show how Nash develops his theories and how he sees the world.

So, in short, get geared up to see one of the best films in the last 20 years to come out of Hollywood. (By Rachel B.)

A Beautiful Mind:
What strikes you first is Alicia Nash is such an extraordinary woman, to have seen the great diamond inside this unique man.

And that Russell makes an interesting geek -- pocket protector and all.

The beauty of Russell's acting ability is that he uses what my acting coach used to call "small moments" to delineate the characters and get you interested. You may (or may not) be privy to his thoughts but you are convinced SOMETHING is going on inside. This is the consummate skill that makes his work so watchable . . . this is very hard work, and it is a joy to watch someone so good at it. And you can appreciate what skill lies waiting to be summoned.

People may or may not be familiar with Julian Jaynes' book "The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind," but Dr. Jaynes wrote it at Princeton during Nash's library/homeless period (alluded to by the trenchcoat and funky hat Russell wears at some points). It is a curious book about schizophrenia and the history of human consciousness. Not an easy read, but fascinating. And you have to wonder whether Jaynes was influenced in his theories by Nash's presence on and around campus. Or whether Russell thumbed through Jaynes' book as he thought about his characterization of Nash.

This film has been haunting me and the workmate who attended with me! It haunted our dreams that night. We've thought a great
deal about it, so it is likely to deeply affect anyone who sees it. Such a film for mind and heart will be a tough contender for Oscar nominations. I sure hope that a Best Supporting nod is given to Jennifer Connelly for providing such a wonderful portrait of a courageous, loving, and brilliant woman. (By Cate)

A Beautiful Mind (Minor spoilers)

Russell's performance was stellar. He transformed himself to convey Nash's hubris, vulnerability and intellectual tenacity. The film was best, and Russell was most convincing in the second half, once his madness was fully established. Ron Howard's method of showing the mechanics of how Nash thought through problems, and envisioned his delusions, was beautiful and elucidating.

Jennifer Connelly had some fine moments displaying Alicia Nash in love and despair with Nash.

However, Akiva Goldsman's diversions from the book to explain Nash's fall into madness are confusing and over-simplified. The real-life complexities of Nash's story are fascinating on their own. All the eye-spy stuff Goldsman threw in compromises the complexity of the problems Nash had to confront. Anyone would have a break down after being shot at; didn't Goldsman and Howard trust that an audience would understand that personal doubt and human frailty alone could lead to mental illness.

I don't think the film needed a car chase to get people to see it. Word of mouth about the strength of Russell's ability to convey the emotional roller coaster Nash went through should sell the film to serious moviegoers.

I really enjoyed it and will see it again, despite all the cloak and dagger nonsense. (By Jo Ann)