Susan Granger’s review of “A BEAUTIFUL MIND” (Universal Pictures)
When nerdy John Forbes Nash Jr. arrived on the Princeton University campus in 1947, he knew he was brilliant and was impatient for recognition from the rest of the world. “I’m well balanced,” he admitted, “a chip on both shoulders.” Insoluble mathematical problems were more of a challenge to him than classes, and what he lacked in social graces he made up for with innovative discoveries that earned him a coveted position not only at MIT but also with the government as part of an elite group of cryptographers breaking Communist codes from Russia. But like pianist David Helfgott (“Shine”) and painter Jackson Pollock (“Pollock”), John Nash wrestled with psychiatric demons. When he was hospitalized with paranoid schizophrenia, he fought back with the help of his devoted wife/former student Alicia (Jennifer Connelly) and – after decades of wrenching anguish – triumphed over a disease once considered incurable. He received the Nobel Prize in 1994 for his “Equilibrium Theory,” which proves that every game reaches a state of equilibrium where none of the players can improve their position. Working from Akiva Goldman’s screenplay, based on Sylvia Nasar’s book, director Ron Howard cleverly captures the extraordinary emotional enigma of this complicated, intuitive genius, and Russell Crowe is totally convincing as the blunt, abrasive, eccentric prodigy beset by compelling delusions. Jennifer Connelly’s insight into Alicia is astonishing, while Ed Harris remains aloof as a mysterious Defense Department operative. On the Granger Movie Gauge of 1 to 10, “A Beautiful Mind” is a fascinating, inspiring, Oscar-worthy 10. And today John Nash is a peace advocate, asserting that his Equilibrium Theory, which depends upon bargaining strategy, is the strongest weapon of all.
