I am very depressed after seeing this movie, I'd just like to say that. It tells the extremely sad tale of a man with a highly effective mental illness, but has a fairly good ending. The performances are near perfection, especially Crowe's, which carries the film along. Definitely a must-see for any movie buff.
A Beautiful Mind
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Oscar-winning biopic is too intense for tweens.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 14 and Up
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of A Beautiful Mind was written by Nell Minow
Parents need to know the material might be very upsetting for kids, or for anyone who has relatives with mental illness or who knows very little about it. There are some strong scenes of family tension and peril, including a child in jeopardy, scuffles, and potential domestic abuse. There are graphic scenes of shock therapy and self-destructive behavior. A character is in peril involving shooting. There is also some crude language with sexual references.
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- Families can talk about mental illness, about how people with mental illness need to be treated, and about what is different now in the way we treat the mentally ill from the days depicted in the movie. Families who want to know more should check the Web site for the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill.
Have you seen it? Review It!
More on A Beautiful Mind
What’s the Story?
A man sees what no one else can, and we call him a genius. A man sees what no one else does, and we call him crazy. This Academy Award-winner for Best Picture is about a man who was both. It's the true story of genius John Forbes Nash, Jr., who revolutionized mathematics and struggled with mentally illness. More than 40 years later, as he edged back into sanity, his contribution was recognized by academics in Sweden. They awarded him the Nobel Prize.
Is It Any Good?
This is an extraordinary story, and it has been made into an extraordinary movie. Crowe is, as always, simply magnificent in a role that would provide irresistible temptation for showboating for most actors. There are superb performances by everyone in the cast, including Connelly (an Oscar-winner for Best Supporting Actress), Paul Bettany, Ed Harris, Christopher Plummer, Judd Hirsch, and a dozen others.
What is really special here is the way that screenwriter Akiva Goldman and director Ron Howard have found a way to present both Nash's genius and his mental illness in such compelling, cinematic, and accessible terms. Both in essence become characters in the story as we go inside his head and wonder with Nash what to believe. This is what makes the movie more than a disease-of-the-week special with color-by- numbers "heartwarming" moments of triumph over adversity. This is what makes the movie itself a true work of art.
Movie Details
Studio: Universal Pictures, Director: Ron Howard
Run time: 135 minutes
Theatrical release: 12/21/2001, DVD release: 05/27/2003
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for language and some violence
Run time: 135 minutes
Theatrical release: 12/21/2001, DVD release: 05/27/2003
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for language and some violence
Our Members Say
See all 12 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title on for age 15 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate language
Depressing movie makes a good Best Pic winner
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I rate this title on for age 15 and give it
Quite possibly the most dull and ordinary movie ever made.
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I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
Wonderful masterpiece!
One of the best movies. Go see it!!!
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
One of the best movies ever made!
See this movie!!! If you don't, you are seriously missing out on one of the greatest pieces of art ever made. Some of the subject matter, such as sexual refernces, and the way the movie can mess with your mind when it comes to Nash's schizophrenia, is not app-roapriate for some children; for others, it might fly right over their head if they're young enough. All in all, however, this movie deserved all the awards it won, and more in my opinion. You would only be doing a disservice to yourself by not seeing it. PS: Russel Crowe should have won best actor for his performance
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
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I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it
Not worth an oscar
I don't see what was so great about this one. The movie is hard to watch, confusing and leaves you disappointed and depressed. Why bother?
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
Incredible, emotional, intense, and fascinating film. Good for some kids--but it may be confusing to some kids, and too intense and sad for others.
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
Beautiful.
A fantastic film that every teenage prodigy needs to watch. I have never been a fan of Russel Crowe, but this film has made me change my mind. Now I like him. :] A beautiful mind, a beautiful film...
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
amazing...
I am more of a sword-action-historical movie...but this is one of those rare stories, like 'Radio' that I always will love. Just amazing, and Russel Crowe is stunning! Not for kids though, for teens yeah, but it would be too complicated for kids and the way his mind works... they might even get scared. But I love it, and want to buy it someday...
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I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it
Um it scared me..
This movie really scared me...there is one bloody scene where he is searching for something in his arm and is cutting his own arm with a knife. I thought it was gross, and this movie is really sad too. But its good at the same time.
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