Invited to apply his mathematical brilliance to some problematic cyphers by the US military at the height of the Cold War, oddball Princeton whiz John Nash (Russell Crowe) is happy to find a practical application for his unusual gifts. But a deepening obsession with his work and the suspicion that sinister forces are closing in begin take their toll...
Ron Howard brings the same accessibility to this material as he did Apollo 13, weaving even its most complex aspects (mmm... equilibrium theory!) into a gripping, human story. And although Crowe didn't pull off the Oscar double-whammy, his portrayal of a man blessed with incredible talents yet burdened with an abrasive personality and beset by demons is both moving and utterly convincing.
DVD Extras:
The deleted scenes are okay, but the commentaries from scribbler Akiva Goldsman and Howard are much better. Howard's such a nice guy, anyone hoping for scandal or tales of tantrums will be disappointed, but his infectious enthusiasm and willingness to explain every creative decision are hard to knock.
