A Beautiful Mind - Crowes Best? (A Beautiful Mind (DVD))

Member Name: Palmer89

Product:	A Beautiful Mind (DVD)
Date:	01/08/09 (29 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Acting, Story, Drama

Disadvantages: Can be called slow at some points?

A Beautiful Mind is a film about the life of John Nash, an American mathmetician and economist who won a Nobel prize for his work in Economic Sciences, the film has a star studded cast with the lead Russel Crowe, female lead Jennifer Connely and support from some established actors of today in Ed Harris and Paul Bettany.

The story is based on the biography of the same name about the real life man John Nash, although there are inaccuracies the film basically follows the same plot of a MIT teacher, who is the leading lecturer in his field who becomes dissilusional and schizophrenic, he starts witnessing characters in his life that he believes he can see and starts working for a givernment organisation, the film follows this story on as his family try to help his situation, Nash however has trouble distinguishing between reality and his minds creations.

The film I think is superb, and alot of people agree with me according to the 7.9 rating on IMDB, I first watched this as part of my psychology A-Level, although I have since purchased and watched the film again, it won 4 acadamy awards, for best picture, director, adapted screenplay and supporting female, although how Crowe didn't win I'm not sure.

The acting is superb, Crowe who portrays an ageing and forever losing his mind MIT professor of economic science, his marries one of his students (Connelly) during his teaching. I believe Crowe portrays his acharacter (however close to the real story it is) extremley well, he has to play numerous people almost, from a young student, to a middle aged professer and a old schizophrenic, he plays all perfectly and his role is very deep and it certainly didn't look easy to play, it doesn't seem like we're watching Crowe but instead the man himself. Although lets not count out Harris, Bettany and Connelly, all are superb and the 4 of them make this film what it is.

The story is based on a real life story which makes it easier for us to sympathise and get involved with the story since it's obviously something that has happened, we can put ourselves almost into the mind of those around Nash and wonder what really did go through their minds during their ordeal.

The dvd that I purchased unfortunatly doesn't have many extra features, only a deleted scenes which I am yet to watch and 2 audio commentaries, no behind the scenes or documentaries which I prefer to watch than deleted scenes, but thats what you get for buying the cheapest versions of the dvd.

Overall this film is very good, it will not be for everyone, it's a very deep role played by Crowe and some times it can be slightly slow and not enough action for some people, however about half way through the film definatly picks up and starts gathering pace, the acting is superb, the story is brilliant and deservedly won many academy awards, it's one of Crowes best performances along with Gladiator and Connelly who seems to star in most of my favourite films (having said that so does Ed Harris).

Everyone should definatly watch this film, especially those who like to watch thought provoking and some may say deep films rather than comedies, love films etc. A brilliant story, a brilliant ending and brilliant acting.

Summary: Very good film.