“A Beautiful Mind”

“A Beautiful Mind” is essentially two films in one; the first in which the audience is led to believe the John Nash character is a brilliant mathematician employed by the CIA; the second where we find he’s a brilliant mathematician suffering serious mental illness.

The film begins when John Nash arrives at Princeton. The Cold War is in full force and scientists are treated like rock stars. Nash is as brilliant as he is socially inept. His mannerisms, his awkward interactions with people, his erratic behaviour; Russell Crowe is terrific. He carries the weight of a demanding role where he has to convince the audience he’s eccentric and then supremely disturbed. After multiple viewings we know better and we see that Crowe’s performance is all the more convincing.

While Crowe is commanding on screen, he’s found a kindred spirit in Jennifer Connelly, who plays Nash’s wife Alicia. Not only is she able to hang in there against Crowe, but she also commands all the scenes she’s in. Just as her character is the practical opposite to her husband, she is his perfect match. Their relationship is sweeter than most romantic comedies.

“A Beautiful Mind” has many layers. Nash’s delusions are a terrific metaphor for the sins and demons that haunt most of us all our lives. It’s his illusion of a roommate that convinces him that “It’s their problem.” One of the film’s illusions is our sympathy with Nash. He’s the hero so we excuse his behaviour. The film won the Oscar for Best Picture.