In 2001, A Beautiful Mind won four Academy Awards including Best Picture. I don't know if I have ever been more sure of an award. This was a fabulous picture.
Simply put, it's a movie about an absolutely brilliant mathematician named John Nash. It starts during his college years at Princeton University and carries on through a dramatic and frightening turn.
That is probably as basic of a synopsis as I could give and it was purposeful. The movie is likely to mean something different to each individual that takes the time to view it.
As many awards as it received it also has its bashers. It has been panned because it embellishes on his life and struggles. Ron Howard took some liberties to "hollywoodize" the movie. That's okay with me since it worked completely. Embellished or not, it earned him Best Director.
The movie made me feel sad at the circumstance, amazed at his intellectual abilities, enthralled at Jennifer Connelly's performance (Best Supporting Actress) and convinced that Russell Crowe is one of the finest actors of our time. Nominated for Best Actor, he lost that award to Denzel Washington in Training Day. That's a tough call.
Let me reiterate. Jennifer Connelly was amazing! I never knew she had this in her. Where has she been since this movie and when will she get roles like this again?
Most of all, this movie left me feeling ashamed. Ashamed for two reasons actually. First, I learned that he is from Bluefield, West Virginia. That town had a major impact on me, but that's for another day.
Second, John Nash won the Nobel Prize in 1994 and was a fixture on campus while I was working at the University in 1995 and 1996. I am completely embarrased that I had no idea. But since I was an Assistant Baseball Coach, I didn't hang around the Math department too often. That would have been offensive for the students. :-)
This is an absolute must see. I have a feeling that many of my Y chromosome brethren have ignored this movie. Do not ignore it any longer! Pick up a copy and I promise you will love it.
A full 5 star rating. It gets no better.
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2 comments:
Good article. I agree that the acting in the movie was perfect.
I am interested in your story of how Bluefield, VA. had a major impact on your life.
Bluefield is the home of Bluefield College, one of the colleges we used to play in college. It is one of the worst trips to ever make, and I believe it always snows. One must experience it to appreciate it.
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