The less you know about Pulitzer Prize-winning scientist John Forbes Nash Jr., the more you will enjoy “A Beautiful Mind,” director Ron Howard’s gently deceptive biography about him. For Howard initially wraps the man’s life in an enigma, a strange harmony of mathematics and government conspiracy that never gels until a staggering twist, at which point every incomprehensible act we’ve watched makes total sense – at least, to everyone but Nash, himself.
Howard’s story begins in 1947 on the campus of Princeton University. It’s here that we first meet Nash (Russell Crowe), the a soft-spoken genius who we’re told is “better with integers than with people.” But Nash’s agenda is clear: he wants to discover a genre-defining theory that will make him a household name, and eventually earn him a place at one of the top labs in the country.Initially Nash’s efforts prove unsuccessful, though his fellow students all excel. It’s only when Nash’s rambunctious roommate, Charles (Paul Bettany), is able to tear down the recluse’s self-constructed walls that the genius has a breakthrough, hatching a theory surrounding governing dynamics that flies in the face of current economic theory. The premise earns Nash his coveted placement, and lands him a job cracking Communist codes for the U.S. Department of Defense.And suddenly, Howard’s meandering study of an individual’s soul flexes a muscle we never thought it had. Nash’s government work puts him on the Communist party’s short list of enemies, and his shadowy employer, William Parcher (Ed Harris), warns that his life is in constant threat. When Nash enters a budding romance with a captivating young student, Alicia (Jennifer Connelly), it’s still not enough to distract him completely from his job – and the dangers it entails. Prior to the film’s riveting twist, “Mind” coasts by on Howard’s trademark hokum and unoriginal fluff. His methods for portraying Mash’s thought processes possesses an intriguing symmetry, but fail to draw us in completely. However, few other films has managed to keep me so in the dark as “Mind” did. And post-twist, all of the pieces fall into place with the precision of one of Nash’s confounding mathematical theories. Crowe, again playing the hero with a debilitating twist, gives another Oscar-caliber performance, which returns him to the level of “The Insider” and away from the spectacle and excess of “Gladiator.” Together with and equally impressive Connelly, they inject a heart-wrenching tragedy into John and Alicia’s pairing. Their story in haunting, a ghostly love story of blind dedication and love. Does all this add up to the film’s Best Picture Oscar? Sadly, no. In my book, the award belonged to the un-nominated “Memento,” and I probably would have granted the award to fellow nominee “Gosford Park” before “Mind.” Fortunately for Howard and longtime producing partner Brian Grazer, the right people disagreed with me on Oscar night. Find out why on this DVD.Grade: B+THE EXTRASAs expected for a Best Picture winner in the age of DVD releases, the “Beautiful Mind” disc packs a world of extras into a compact 2-disc set. It’s as much a tribute to the film as it is to the Howard-Grazer relationship, which might not enjoy another day in the sun like this, especially if they continue to focus on “Grinch” sequels. Yikes!But back to the DVD, there’s no fewer than 12 production featurettes, starting with the longest (and most informative) “Inside A Beautiful Mind.” Other topics explored on separate features including Casting, James Horner’s score, Make-Up (“The Process of Age Progression”), the film’s subject, Dr. John Nash, and the inevitable win at the Academy Awards. Two audio commentaries walk us through the film, one by Howard and one by screenwriter Akiva Goldsmith – who also took home an Academy Award for his work on the film. How Brian Grazer failed to weasel in on either if these commentary tracks is beyond me, though I’m glad Howard got to shine on his own (he did direct, after all). Sometimes producers claim far too much credit.Already at 138 minutes, it’s a surprise that 18 scenes were deleted. Here they’ve been restored for your viewing pleasure with optional commentary by Howard. The DVD concludes with storyboard comparisons, trailers, a spot for the film’s soundtrack, sneak peaks, production notes and a listing of mental health organizations. Nothing like a little public service with your entertainment.Grade: AOVERALL EXPERIENCE: A-It seems like just yesterday “A Beautiful Mind” walked off the stage with an Oscar in its possession, and now you can own it in your home. There are enough supplements here to fry your own brain, but it’s a great buy none-the-less.By Sean O’ConnellJune 24, 2002