Scene 1-2: A Beautiful Mind

Continuation of the post:  A Beautiful Mind

------------------------------------------     SPOILER ALERT     -----------------------------------------
Scene 1: Main Titles

Scene 2: Mathematics
 

     Scene two, the first actual scene of the movie, is set in Princeton, September 1947.  The scene begins with an introduction being given to the mathematicians on their first day at Princeton.  Helinger, a Princeton professor played by Judd Hirsch sets the "high expectation" environment during the speech to which Nash  feels so obliged during his time at the University.
     To realize the pressure to which Nash felt obliged is a very important concept to be sure to grasp. Doing this will assist you in comprehending the development of Nash's personality and belief system throughout the film.
     Helinger, during his introductory speech to his students says...

• "To triumph we need results, publishable and applicable results."- This statement explains simply, in one sentence, as to how Nash comprehends how to be successful.  John believes this to be the only way to which he will be able to gain recognition.  Keep the word recognition firm within your mind as you watch the film.
• "Now who among you will be the next Morse...the next Einstein.  Who among you will be the vanguard of democracy, freedom, and discovery."  "Today we bequeath America's future into your able hands"-  The majority of this part of the scene is focused on Nash's face and, as you may have remembered, he expresses himself as tense, worried, and determined.  As if his mind is racing at this point in the film in search for any data he can intake and convert into the eventual recognition to which he so desires.  

     The next part of scene two is the social after Helinger's speech.  Here, you see Nash attempt to be social with his peers and, unfortunately be laughed at due to his odd ticks/behavior.  Hanson, Nash's Princeton competitor, seems to be viewed as a threat in Nash's eyes.  Hanson and Nash are two of, what is usually one, winner of the Carnogy Scholarship.  And both appear to be competing for the Wheeler Lab position which Nash sees as a necessity in becoming recognized.  

    The roommate...Charles enters the dorm as John is working and introduces himself.  Charles seems to be a depiction of what John would want as a friend, and a result of his loneliness after constantly being unaccepted.
      It is important to see that John is most able to talk with Charles, his hallucination. And important to understand why his hallucinations are depicted in the way at which they are, and not something else.
     (The characters which John hallucinates throughout the film each represent a part of what he wants and what he feels he is.  I will address this more thoroughly later on.)   

 

     On the rooftop with Charles...Nash begins to express himself to Charles.  John says his first grade teacher once told him he was born with two helpings of brain, but only a half a helping of heart.  He then goes on to say..."The truth is, I don't like people much, and they don't much like me."  John expresses his feelings genuinely with Charles, and, in this conversation, he is expressing a sadness he obviously has been carrying for the majority of his life.
     I felt the first grade teacher John was talking about was a representation of the way in which society can be blunt and judgmental.  Our judgmental society can have incredibly negative effects on the life of people and children especially.      

     John then shifts gears, after expressing his sadness, and converts it into a sort of anger that fuels his motivation.  Nash then goes on to compare himself to others in a way to express more of his concern about recognition. "You know half these school boys are already published.  I cannot waste time with these classes, these books, memorizing the assumptions of lesser mortals."

     What he says next confirms how deeply he feels about needing to be recognized.  "I need to look through...to the governing dynamics.  Find a truly original idea, that's the only way I'll ever distinguish myself, that's the only way that I'll ever..."  "matter" Charles finishes.  "yes" he replies quietly, again regressing to his sadness.

Charles is there to be the one person he can talk to.  The one person, at this point in the film, who is his true friend.

This scene with Charles on the roof is the point to which Nash now begins becomes John.  At this point the audience is able to find themselves to be developing a slight attachment for the character, despite his anti-social tendencies and can begin to understand him.      

Coming up...

• More Scene by scene
• Deleted scenes
• Director's cut

I will do my best to attend to all questions/comments I receive.  I enjoy discussing film.  

I am also open to any suggestions and/or film requests you may have. 

A Beautiful Mind

Directed by: Ron Howard

(2001)

     

     An extraordinary motion picture based on the life of John Forbes Nash Jr. features the story of a mathematical genius who finds himself caught up in decoding secret information to provide Intel to the united states government to prevent a catastrophe.  He then must cope with the immense and fearful challenges faced due to schizophrenia. 

   
  The film is an amazing portrayal of overcoming.  Overcoming a challenge incredibly difficult to bare and just as difficult to comprehend.  This film, however, introduces insight as to what it is to participate in the grueling battle of schizophrenia.  An inside look, if you will, that not only shows the difficulty, but delivers the feeling the illness brings to it's victims in a way that provides you with a solid beginning to comprehend on the deeper level to which the illness truly occurs.

     SPOILER ALERT!- applicable to the following paragraphs AND the posts coming soon about this film.

     As you view the film, you become a part of the film, the story, the deception, and the eventual overcoming of the challenge at which you feel to be a participant in by the time you have reached the major turn around point...the point at which you, along with Nash, see what you know to be true vanish from what you thought to be the just of your two hour reality, and his life, to be then thrown into the fearful reality of the illness.   

     "You see the nightmare of schizophrenia, is not knowing what's true.  Imagine, if you had suddenly learned the people, the places, the moments most dear to you were not gone, not dead, but worse...had never been.  What kind of hell would that be?" 

(Dr. Rosin (Nash's doctor in the film))    

     A Beautiful Mind holds true to this quote, and the illness, as you are torn from what you believe to be happening...pure deception, just as the reality of schizophrenia.  

This was the introduction post in my process of analyzing this film. 

 Coming up...

Analyzing,

• Scene by scene 
• Deleted scenes
• Director's cut

I will do my best to attend to all questions/comments I receive.  I enjoy discussing film.