The Popkorn Junkie :: A Beautiful Mind

So, what's all the hoopla over "A Beautiful Mind" you ask? Most critics are calling it "the best film of the year" and "a sure sweep at the Oscars". If it weren't for all the clamor over this film, I would have most certainly waited for it to hit video stores. I remember my anticipation while watching "The Insider", only to be crushed with the discovery that it was terrible. I was fearing the same outcome for this film. The pluses were: (1) Ron Howard is one hell of a director, (2) Ed Harris is a perfect supporting actor, and (3) Judd Hirsch from "Taxi" was in it. Was I pleased with the film? Yes. Is it one of the best films of the year? Yes. Is it THE best film of the year. No.

Russell Crowe stars as John Forbes Nash, Jr., one of the most brilliant minds in the history of thought--a man compared to such greats as Newton and Einstein. His genius however is threatened when he becomes the victim of frightening delusions, some of which involve his believing that Ed Harris is a federal agent out to get him. Jennifer Connelly is luminous as his pregnant wife Alicia and she is becoming quite the powerhouse on screen--a far cry from her "Labrynth" days. Christopher Plummer co-stars as the sympathetic Dr. Rosen, who tries to help Crowe any way he can. The two stand-out performances, however, come from Paul Bettany as Charles and Judd Hirsch as Helinger.

The story is absolutely marvelous. It's great to sit down and watch a film based on an actual person that actually keeps your attention throughout the duration of the movie. Most films like that get bogged down in too many facts and eventually become somewhat boring and lecturous. "A Beautiful Mind" stays interesting and is quite an accurate retelling of Nash's life. Director Ron Howard shows us once more that he is one of the very best directors around. Some critics are saying this is his best film to date, but all I can seem to think is that they have yet to see "Apollo 13", "Willow", and the extraordinary film "Cocoon". Anyway, this is still a triumph for Howard, for the cast, and for the world of films based on actual events.

"A Beautiful Mind" is nominated for several Golden Globe Awards. I believe it could possibly sweep the Golden Globes, but as for the Oscars, I believe that ceremony will belong to another film. As much as I want to say Crowe should win Best Actor for his work as Nash, I can't help but instead pull for either Jim Carrey from "The Majestic" or Gene Hackman from "The Royal Tenenbaums". Though "A Beautiful Mind" is a beautiful film, it has the delusions of being a perfect film. It's not far from it, but far enough to collapse along with some of the hype.

-- Billy Ray ( 3 1/2 out of 4 pops )

Talk about this film with other Popkorn Junkies

Other Junkie's opinions.....

Patsy ( 3 out of 4 pops )

"A Beautiful Mind" is a wonderful real life story. Although I'm not a huge Russell Crowe fan ("Gladiator" and "L.A. Confidential" being exceptions) I think the big guy did a great job portraying the schizophrenic genius John Nash. I can't think of much to say about the film besides that I liked it. It's definitely worth seeing, but I think you can wait until it hits the shelves at Blockbuster.

Matt ( 3 1/2 out of 4 pops )

I was a little skeptical about this film. I thought maybe this would be one of those schmaltzy, melodramatic pieces that brownnose the Academy, screaming out "Pick me! Pick me!" Well, now I can officially say this movie deserves the Best Picture Oscar! This is one incredible film, and Russell Crowe--despite bad publicity--deserves to be up there to accept the Best Actor Oscar. Not only does he have to fake an American accent, but he has to fake a West Virginian accent (one I imagine is very difficult) and play a multi-layered role as a schizophrenic mathematician. His accent drifts at times, but I give him credit for the effort alone. He goes through all the symptoms of a schizophrenic so believably that my sympathy for him got deeper and deeper as the story moved along. And Jennifer Connelly deserves the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. Connelly is a beautiful actress, who's very charming and charismatic and good at whatever she does, but this is an especially challenging role that she pulls off with flying colors. The movie is long, but never overlong. I became fully engaged, journeying through the brilliant but troubled mind of John Nash. I was especially stunned halfway through the film, when all the secrets are revealed. And these are not the usual overblown plot twists--they actually make sense the more you start to think about them. There has been some criticism, saying that the film took some artistic liberties, but it's a movie!!!! Not a documentary!! And what a wonderful movie it is!!! One that's moving, touching, powerful, thought-provoking and unforgettable!!