A Beautiful Mind (2001)

John Nash lived until 2015 and his life meant a great deal for both the world of higher education and for those struggling with schizophrenia. Outside of this film I didn't know much about him and I'm grateful for this experience which educates audiences about this man. Unfortunately, I don't think this film does a very good job of relaying what makes him so important. He's a genius. We come to understand this fact early in the film but I still couldn't tell you what he did as a mathematician. Even though it's the primary focus of the first act of this film, or so you think it is. Like many big releases of the 2000s, this film tries to be too many things. It strives to be a drama, romance, and even a thriller with a big twist. I think at the heart it's a fine romance film and those are the scenes I appreciated the most. Jennifer Connelly is the best thing on screen for the first half. Her presence is spectacular. Until the second half of the film when the script slows down finally allowing Russell Crowe a moment to act, then he becomes a fine match for Connelly on screen. Overall, it's the second half of this film that really nails it. The first half is bogged down by mathematical babble that isn't explained and a few scenes that serve no greater purpose than setting up the film's twist. By the end, after Nash's great speech, I became a blubbering mess. Though if this film was about a fictional character I don't think it would be as rewarding. Is that cheating? I'm not sure. There are not many 2000's films I'd want a remake of but this would be one of them. Nash's struggle with schizophrenia is important to remember and I think this story could be told in better ways.

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