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'A Beautiful Mind': Movie Reviews?
Message posted by Robert Niles (via 64.175.184.131) on December 21, 2001 at 1:18 PM (ET)
I couldn't get a sitter, so I haven't seen the movie yet. Has anyone else seen it who would like to comment on it?
Obviously, the public's going to go to see the drama, intrigue and romance. No one's going looking for a good introduction to the Nash Equilibrium.
But, at the same time, it'd be a shame if the film grossly distorted the math, or John Nash's life.
So, would anyone like to comment on the treatment of math and game theory in "A Beautiful Mind'?
READERS RESPOND:
(In chronological order. Most recent at the bottom.)
Re: 'A Beautiful Mind': Movie Reviews?
Message posted by JG (via 128.8.23.2) on December 22, 2001 at 6:40 PM (ET)
See the current issue of slate.msn.com . As a graduate student - a long time ago - I studied game theory and attended a lecture by Nash. It was obvious to me that there was something wrong with him and that he was an extremely difficult person. My professor said something that I though was supportive of Nash but he seemed to take it as an insult and was extremely sarcastic. I felt at the time that this was a person who could be insulted by the most innocent comment.
Re: 'A Beautiful Mind': Movie Reviews?
Message posted by JG (via 128.8.23.98) on December 24, 2001 at 12:44 PM (ET)
I have alway felt that game theory is more useful as a conceptual framework than as practical application. This is true for Nash equilibria and even zero-sum games. Even artificial games such as tenis or poker are not really zero-sum games. For a Nash equilibrium I feel that it would be very difficult to implement the kind of coalitions that he discusses.
Re: 'A Beautiful Mind': Movie Reviews?
Message posted by Robert Niles (via 64.175.184.131) on December 24, 2001 at 2:29 PM (ET)
Here is the Slate article, for those of you who might be interested in reading it.When I took my game theory class at Kellogg, we, of course, studied Nash, and my professor made a few cryptic remarks about what a character John Nash was--straight out of a movie, he said.
Perhaps the prof should have spent less time lecturing us, and more time taking meetings in Hollywood!
Re: 'A Beautiful Mind': Movie Reviews?
Message posted by JG (via 128.8.22.15) on December 25, 2001 at 6:12 AM (ET)
I saw the movie and it is a 'Camelot' version of the acadic world. Also, there are many articles on the web about 'crazy' scientists, artist, military leaders, etc. Basically, people like Einstein, Newton, Turing, etc. would find it hard to get an even minimal job, be subject to arbitrary arrest and 'redneck' justice, etc. if the system did not protect them. A related topic that we previously discussed is haw 'voting power' looks very different from the voters, citizens, systems and politicisns point of view. Similarly, from a lawyers point of veiw the basic purpose the criminal justice system is to make sure that criminals who are good to their lawyers get lots of 'justice'. In fact, anyone who read the biography of F. Lee Bailly might conclude the burning at the stake might be too good for this 'great' lawyer.
Re: 'A Beautiful Mind': Movie Reviews?
Message posted by Wendy (via 205.188.196.56) on February 11, 2002 at 3:12 PM (ET)
I absolutely loved this movie-saw it two times. But I might have to see it again because I can't figure out one thing. How did the Dr. and his crew just happen to be there at the seminar Nash was giving, had a paranoia experience, ran out of the lecture hall, and was tackled and injected with a shot. Was this Dr. notified by someone to be on the lookout for Mr. Nash? or did he just happen to be walking by? Did the Dr. have a part earlier in the movie? or are we meant to be confused and to think that the Dr. and his crew were spies? Thank you for your attention to this matter.Wendy
Re: 'A Beautiful Mind': Movie Reviews?
Message posted by J G (via 64.12.106.34) on February 11, 2002 at 10:12 PM (ET)
This movie is partly fiction and any movie or other work of art has to be a 'good story' first of all to sell in the market place.
Remember, you saw this movie because someone thought that they could make money creating this movie.
Thus, many scenes, including the one you mentioned may be wholly or partially fiction included for dramatic or commercial reasons and only remotely related to what actually happened.
A realistic movie is one that appears realistic to the audience whose view and experience of reality may be very limited.
A great deal of expertice and experience is involved in any movey, but they always have to balance 'telling it as it is' with what the audience wishes to believe.
Most of us want to know what is 'out there' and at the same time we want our favorite fantasies confirmed.
To the public 'geniuses' are mysterious beings whom they admire, despise, and fear. This is very similar to the medieval attitude towards 'witches'.
Re: 'A Beautiful Mind': Movie Reviews?
Message posted by Palash R. Ghosh (via 198.45.19.20) on February 15, 2002 at 9:24 AM (ET)
I thought this movie was a boring of pile of hogwash.
I struggled to stay awake
during it. I knew little about
John Nash before the film and I am certain that he WAS a
fascinating character -- however, in the hands of a mediocrity like Ron Howard,
his story turns into unsatisfying, uninspired tripe. And I don't think Russell Crowe could act wet in a rainstorm.
Re: 'A Beautiful Mind': Movie Reviews?
Message posted by Bowie (via 152.13.187.91) on February 18, 2002 at 7:54 PM (ET)
A Beautiful Mind was indeed a beautiful movie from my point of view. Not only does it glorify the importance of Math *although i'm not teribly fond of studying math*, it enable us as audience to see the hardship of a person suffering from Paranoia Schizophrenia. The disease is real, and it affects those who suffers it greatly. Watching that movie really open my eyes to this disorder and i sympathize deeply to those who suffers it. Good movie.
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