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Parents' Guide to

A Beautiful Mind

By Nell Minow, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Oscar-winning biopic is too intense for tweens.

Movie PG-13 2001 135 minutes
A Beautiful Mind Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

age 15+

Based on 8 parent reviews

age 13+
age 15+

One of the most emotional and dramatic pieces of awesomeness I've ever seen! I almost cried!

I think it should be geared towards hard-core teens and adults, because even though it is a very great film, there might be some upsetting and intense imagery that can easily frighten younger sensitive viewers. But other than that, great story, great characters and also great tension, too. I give it a 5 out of 5 stars!

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (8 ):
Kids say (26 ):

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

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