Parent reviews for A Brilliant Young Mind
Common Sense says
Affecting drama about math whiz tackles loss, special needs.
age 13+
Based on our expert review
X+Y (A Brilliant Young Mind) – Tells its Special Story With Great Care
This fine British film is a fictional/fact movie version of the documentary production ‘Beautiful Young Minds’ which was in turn about the real-life Math prodigy Daniel Lightwing. Asa Butterfield is perfect in the title role and has a strong cast of professional performers to compliment his performance. Prolific playwright James Graham’s debut screenplay is exceptional in almost every detail and carries the viewer through a rollercoaster ride of human emotions - as his youthful characters, etc, navigate unfamiliar human experiences.
Solid direction and stylish cinematography keep it all on track, with Martin Phipps’ haunting music score nicely setting the moods for each scene. Sally Hawkins gives yet another of her introspective performance as Butterfield’s widowed mother - with good support from Rafe Spall (Life of Pi) as Butterfield’s somewhat tortured mentor. Superior entertainment for discerning viewers, with its DVD release big on transfer quality.
Solid direction and stylish cinematography keep it all on track, with Martin Phipps’ haunting music score nicely setting the moods for each scene. Sally Hawkins gives yet another of her introspective performance as Butterfield’s widowed mother - with good support from Rafe Spall (Life of Pi) as Butterfield’s somewhat tortured mentor. Superior entertainment for discerning viewers, with its DVD release big on transfer quality.
This review...
A must! A study for all teachers & anyone who wishes to delve deeper in the human emotional mind!
A study for all teachers & anyone who wishes to delve deeper in the human emotional mind, to better understand how all children are totally different and need from day one a growing understanding so we as adults & teachers can learn more about ourselves and how to assist all the children in. their needs!
This title contains:
Positive role models
This review...
Covers a lot
Beautiful and sensitive in addressing very real issues kids and the adults in their lives go through. Positive AA group spin and the need for adult companionship over sex. I loved the Chinese culture which was portrayed well.
This review...
Swearing, sad, yet amazingly good
A Brilliant Young Mind is a compelling drama about a 15 year old mathematician with autism.
I think it would be better for 14 year olds because of some depressing scenes, including an autistic boy cutting himself after being bullied. There is a car crash scene that is very upsetting - more in an emotional way.
Another troubling factor was the swearing. I think it's okay to let pre-teens and teens get used to hearing some language so they don't come across as shocked and confused when it is used, but if you disagree, there are three uses of "f--king" (one by a child), one use of "s--t", and two uses of "dick" (one as an insult).
I think it would be better for 14 year olds because of some depressing scenes, including an autistic boy cutting himself after being bullied. There is a car crash scene that is very upsetting - more in an emotional way.
Another troubling factor was the swearing. I think it's okay to let pre-teens and teens get used to hearing some language so they don't come across as shocked and confused when it is used, but if you disagree, there are three uses of "f--king" (one by a child), one use of "s--t", and two uses of "dick" (one as an insult).
This title contains:
Language