Reel Critics -- Melissa Richardson and Elaine England

‘Beautiful Mind’ taxes the mind but proves well-worth the effort

Are you a genius? Have you ever wanted to be one? If so, “A Beautiful

Mind” is the movie to see. As the picture follows mathematician John Nash

through his amazing life, we are all right there with him. Please

remember to hold on tightly, though, for Nash’s life has enough twists

and turns to rival the most amazing roller coasters.

The story begins on the Princeton campus one bright autumn day as Nash

begins graduate school. He is an odd fellow who does not relate well with

the rest of the mathematics students. While the others go to class and

socialize, Nash is busy writing formulas on the windows in his room and

in the library, documenting the normal occurrences of life through

mathematical equations. Yet, he cannot find the one original idea that

will make him great.

His roommate, Charles, a wild English graduate student played

fabulously by Paul Bettany, is the only thing keeping poor Nash going,

making him eat and take breaks. One evening, while vying for the

attention of a young woman, Nash discovers a new game theory,

revolutionizing the study of economics. The Department of Defense

secretly names him their greatest code breaker and suddenly he is a spy.

Finding the clues the Defense Department and agent William Parcher (Ed

Harris) need to capture a nuclear bomb leaves Nash little time for his

scholarly duties, such as teaching. Still, eager student Alicia Larde

(Jennifer Connelly) will not leave him be. It is a miracle that he ever

finds a woman that can accept and even love him.

They marry but still he keeps his work a secret. He can’t tell anyone

about his double life, and the strain begins to show. While giving a

talk, several mysterious men show up. Nash is locked in a mental

hospital, and his world falls apart. He is diagnosed as a paranoid

schizophrenic.

It is up to Alicia to find the truth. What is real in Nash’s life, and

what has he made up?

“A Beautiful Mind” is one of those movies that the less you know

before seeing it, the better it is. Anything more told would ruin the

story and its effect. Director Ron Howard should be showered with awards

for his work on the film. The final result is a mixture of fantasy and

truth knotted together. The unraveling process is mind-bending and

fascinating.

While Russell Crowe does an admirable job portraying Nash, it is the

supporting cast that pushes “A Beautiful Mind” to greatness. Paul

Bettany, Ed Harris and Jennifer Connelly pulling in their own directions

make this movie balanced enough not to fall into confusion, even as

Nash’s world tilts.

“A Beautiful Mind” is an intense journey that everyone should see. It

is one of the best movies of the year. It may not always be easy to watch

and will tax the mind, but it is well worth the time and effort.

‘o7 ‘A Beautiful Mind” is rated PG-13 for intense thematic material,

sexual content and a scene of violence.

f7 * MELISSA RICHARDSON is a Costa Mesa resident and a junior at UC

Irvine.

Lighthearted ‘Kate & Leopold’ fulfills its romantic promise

Meg Ryan and Hugh Jackman are “Kate & Leopold” and the parts fit them

so well. The romantic comedy brings together a modern woman (Ryan) with

an 1800s duke (Jackman).

We are introduced to Leopold in his castle, but poverty is pending as

his family has fallen on hard times. Kate is a hassled network executive

who is responsible for a younger brother, played by Breckin Meyer. Her

boyfriend, Stuart (Liev Schreiber), is experimenting with space continuum

travel. And so we move between the 19th century and present day with

interesting results.

Once Kate meets Leopold, Stuart’s hopes for getting her back are

remote.

This is a lighthearted film done with kindness and gentle care. The

music, costumes and settings all added up to a most enjoyable production.

o7 “Kate f7 &o7; Leopold” is rated PG-13 for brief strong language.

f7 * ELAINE ENGLAND lives in Newport Beach and owns a gift-basket

business she operates out of her home.