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A Beautiful Mind: The Shooting Script
"A Beautiful Mind, the intensely human drama of a true genius, is inspired by events in the life of mathematician John Forbes Nash, Jr. The handsome and highly eccentric Nash made an astonishing discovery early in life and stood on the brink of international acclaim. But his white-hot ascent into the intellectual stratosphere drastically changed course when Nash's intuitive brilliance was undermined by schizophrenia. Facing challenges that have destroyed many others, Nash fought back, with the help of his devoted wife Alicia. After decades of hardship, he triumphed over tragedy, and received the Nobel Prize in 1994. A living legend, Nash continues to pursue his work today." Directed by Ron Howard and produced by Brian Grazer, this Universal and DreamWorks production stars Russell Crowe as John Nash. The screenplay of A Beautiful Mind was written by Akiva Goldsman and based in part on the biography of Sylvia Nasar. The cast also includes Ed Harris, Jennifer Connelly, Paul Bettany, and Judd Hirsch.
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 25, 2002
About the author
Akiva Goldsman
8 books16 followersAkiva J. Goldsman (born July 7, 1962) is an American screenwriter and producer in the motion picture industry. He received an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for the 2001 film, A Beautiful Mind, which also won the Oscar for Best Picture.
Goldsman has been involved specifically with high budget Hollywood adaptations and remakes. His filmography includes the films Lost in Space, Batman Forever and Batman & Robin, as well as more serious dramas, and numerous rewrites both credited and uncredited. In 2006 Goldsman re-teamed with A Beautiful Mind director Ron Howard for a high profile project, adapting Dan Brown's novel The Da Vinci Code for Howard's much-anticipated film version, receiving mixed reviews for his work.
Life and career
Akiva Goldsman was born in New York City on July 7, 1962 to Jewish parents Tev Goldsman and Mira Rothenberg. Tev Goldsman was a therapist, and Mira Rothenberg was a child psychologist.[1] Both parents ran a group home for emotionally disturbed children. Goldsman's parents were occupied with their work, and Goldsman said, "By the time I was 10 or 12, I realized they had taken my parents away from me. I wanted nothing more to do with that world. I wanted to be a writer. I had a fantasy that someday I'd see my name on a book." In 1983, Goldsman attended Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut.[2] After graduation, Goldsman studied creative writing at New York University. He began writing screenplays, and in 1994, he wrote the screenplay that would become the film Silent Fall. Afterward, director Joel Schumacher hired Goldsman to write The Client.
In the late 1990s, Akiva Goldsman wrote screenplays for A Time to Kill and Batman & Robin, which were considered subpar quality and got him nominated for the Golden Raspberry Awards. Goldsman came to the realization, "I sort of got lost. I was writing away from what I knew. It's a little like a cat chasing its tail. Once you start making movies that are less than satisfying, you start to lose your opportunity to make the satisfying ones. People are not serving them up to you, saying, 'You're the guy we want for this.'" Goldsman appealed to producer Brian Grazer to write the screenplay for A Beautiful Mind and ultimately won an Academy Award for Writing Adapted Screenplay. The star of A Beautiful Mind, Russell Crowe, later invited Goldsman and director Ron Howard to film Cinderella Man, and Goldsman wrote the film's screenplay. Goldsman also wrote and directed an episode of the Fox TV show Fringe. In 2009, he signed on to co-produce the Warner Bros. film adaptation of the British television series Primeval.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akiva_Go...
Goldsman has been involved specifically with high budget Hollywood adaptations and remakes. His filmography includes the films Lost in Space, Batman Forever and Batman & Robin, as well as more serious dramas, and numerous rewrites both credited and uncredited. In 2006 Goldsman re-teamed with A Beautiful Mind director Ron Howard for a high profile project, adapting Dan Brown's novel The Da Vinci Code for Howard's much-anticipated film version, receiving mixed reviews for his work.
Life and career
Akiva Goldsman was born in New York City on July 7, 1962 to Jewish parents Tev Goldsman and Mira Rothenberg. Tev Goldsman was a therapist, and Mira Rothenberg was a child psychologist.[1] Both parents ran a group home for emotionally disturbed children. Goldsman's parents were occupied with their work, and Goldsman said, "By the time I was 10 or 12, I realized they had taken my parents away from me. I wanted nothing more to do with that world. I wanted to be a writer. I had a fantasy that someday I'd see my name on a book." In 1983, Goldsman attended Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut.[2] After graduation, Goldsman studied creative writing at New York University. He began writing screenplays, and in 1994, he wrote the screenplay that would become the film Silent Fall. Afterward, director Joel Schumacher hired Goldsman to write The Client.
In the late 1990s, Akiva Goldsman wrote screenplays for A Time to Kill and Batman & Robin, which were considered subpar quality and got him nominated for the Golden Raspberry Awards. Goldsman came to the realization, "I sort of got lost. I was writing away from what I knew. It's a little like a cat chasing its tail. Once you start making movies that are less than satisfying, you start to lose your opportunity to make the satisfying ones. People are not serving them up to you, saying, 'You're the guy we want for this.'" Goldsman appealed to producer Brian Grazer to write the screenplay for A Beautiful Mind and ultimately won an Academy Award for Writing Adapted Screenplay. The star of A Beautiful Mind, Russell Crowe, later invited Goldsman and director Ron Howard to film Cinderella Man, and Goldsman wrote the film's screenplay. Goldsman also wrote and directed an episode of the Fox TV show Fringe. In 2009, he signed on to co-produce the Warner Bros. film adaptation of the British television series Primeval.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akiva_Go...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
August 25, 2017
Despite the spectacular acting, Reading the script was as joyful as watching the movie.
November 16, 2014
جون فوربس ناش رياضي أمريكي اهتم بنظرية الألعاب والهندسة التفاضلية. كان مصاباً بمرض نفسي هو الفصام، ولكن ذلك لم يمنعه من أن يكون عبقرياً فذاً.
بدت على جون ناش أعراض انفصام الشخصية عام 1958. حيث اعتقد طول سنينه في برنستون (1945-1949) ان لديه شريكآ في غرفته, لكن الوثائق بينت أنه كان يسكن لوحده، أصبح مذعورا وأدخل إلى مشفى ماك لين، نيسان-ايار 1959, حيث شخصوا إصابته بانفصام الشخصية الارتيابي مع اكتئاب بسيط وقلة التقدير للذات. بعد البقاء الصعب في باريس وجنيف, عاد ناش إلى برنستون في عام 1960, وظل يدخل ويخرج من مستشفيات الأمراض العقلية حتى عام 1970, حيث يتم إعطاءه العلاج النفسي بصدمة الانسولين وأدوية للمعالجة النفسية, عادة بدافع الالتزام وليس باختياره. منذ سنة 1970, لم يعد يتعاطى ادوية للمعالجة النفسية مرة أخرى. وتبعا لمدونة سيرته الذاتية سيلفيا نازار, شفي بالتدريج مع مرور الوقت. وبتشجيع من زوجته اليسيا, عمل ناش في وضع مجتمعي حيث يمكن تقبل غرابة أطواره.. في الساحة الجامعية، أصبح ناش (شبح القاعة الرائعة) (القاعة الرائعة هي قاعة الرياضيات في برنستون), رجل الظل الذي يخربش معادلات سرية على السبورات في منتصف الليل. الأسطورة تظهر في قصة عن حياة برنستون, المشكلة العقلية الجسدية, التي كنتها ربيكا غولدستين.
جون ناش ، جنون العبقرية ، أو عبقرية الجنون !
October 15, 2014
Advanced mathematics coupled with severe mental illness, this is what the book, A Beautiful Mind is about. Sylvia Nasar professor of journalism at Columbia University, has done full justice in surfacing Nash’s life, his youth, college life, his work before and after he earned his doctorate and finally to his breakdown then illness and eventually his recovery. A Beautiful Mind juxtaposes sadness and the will to succeed despondency and depression.
John Forbes Nash Jr. had a knack of solving complex mathematical expressions in his own way. Some of his ideas when he was at Princeton gave rise to major theories in the fields of economics and politics. When he was in his thirties, his life started cocooning itself with schizophrenic delusions. It is really heart wrenching to read his time spent in mental hospitals. It took him nearly thirty years to come up of the delusions but not fully though and it was during the same phase, he was bestowed with Nobel Prize in Economics in the year 1994, which he shared with Reinhard Selten and John Harsanyi.
The book wasn’t an easy read especially when it talked about the mathematical equations and theories but one thing is for sure, after going through the masterpiece one will gain considerable knowledge in interesting fields like game theory and Nash’s equilibrium. The book shed light on the remarkable ways through which Nash was able to bring up the theories and eventually his significant contributions in the world of mathematics.
Nasar delves the reader on thinking mode when she describes the socio-economic level of the 60s and 70s, where the book surfaces the ways that society deals with people suffering from schizophrenia in general. Nash being the subject, the book explores the hidden potential of an individual who is being constantly nagged by the hallucinations, till the extent of receiving electric shocks daily and yet that unflinching faith of his friends and family keeps in rowing and finally after drifting through the realms of delusions for years, he is able to return to his rationality.
For me, it is one of the best biographies that I have read so far. It’s not just the protagonist but the other characters as well who made me think over to the situation on an emotional level. Even during those days, the competition was tough between the scholars of mathematics yet all gave their helping hand when Nash required the most.
As mention before, Nasar has done a commendable job in penning down the mysteries of human mind. Although disturbing in between but rewarding as we touch upon the last few pages of the book.
John Forbes Nash Jr. had a knack of solving complex mathematical expressions in his own way. Some of his ideas when he was at Princeton gave rise to major theories in the fields of economics and politics. When he was in his thirties, his life started cocooning itself with schizophrenic delusions. It is really heart wrenching to read his time spent in mental hospitals. It took him nearly thirty years to come up of the delusions but not fully though and it was during the same phase, he was bestowed with Nobel Prize in Economics in the year 1994, which he shared with Reinhard Selten and John Harsanyi.
The book wasn’t an easy read especially when it talked about the mathematical equations and theories but one thing is for sure, after going through the masterpiece one will gain considerable knowledge in interesting fields like game theory and Nash’s equilibrium. The book shed light on the remarkable ways through which Nash was able to bring up the theories and eventually his significant contributions in the world of mathematics.
Nasar delves the reader on thinking mode when she describes the socio-economic level of the 60s and 70s, where the book surfaces the ways that society deals with people suffering from schizophrenia in general. Nash being the subject, the book explores the hidden potential of an individual who is being constantly nagged by the hallucinations, till the extent of receiving electric shocks daily and yet that unflinching faith of his friends and family keeps in rowing and finally after drifting through the realms of delusions for years, he is able to return to his rationality.
For me, it is one of the best biographies that I have read so far. It’s not just the protagonist but the other characters as well who made me think over to the situation on an emotional level. Even during those days, the competition was tough between the scholars of mathematics yet all gave their helping hand when Nash required the most.
As mention before, Nasar has done a commendable job in penning down the mysteries of human mind. Although disturbing in between but rewarding as we touch upon the last few pages of the book.
May 3, 2014
I loved the movie: A Beautiful Mind. I like reading stage plays. I wondered what it would be like to read a screenplay. Before I begin: I was approaching the screenplay format as a storytelling format, as a piece of literature. Admittedly, a screenplay serves a very different purpose. A Beautiful Mind is a cool story, but the screenplay doesn’t describe the action sequences, or settings, in enough detail to make the story rich – certainly not as rich as it appeared on the screen (makes you appreciate what the directors and actors add to the total package). Stage plays don’t rely on action sequences or rich settings, so they express the drama effectively without it. The screenplay format is a bit too bare-boned. If I hadn’t seen the movie, a number of times, I’m not sure I would have enjoyed the screenplay as much as I did.
May 28, 2021
Unlike many other reviewers on here, I actually read Akiva Goldsman's screenplay and not the biography by Sylvia Nasar.
I never liked math in school, but maybe I would have if Goldsman had been my teacher. He manages to show the beauty in mathematics with action like this "The lines on the window emerge, a geometric formation floating in mid air" (page 1) and dialogue like this "...That is the only truth. The math of things, the math of everything, the secrets implied by the world in whispers" (page 7).
The love story between John Nash and his wife Alicia is touching but sometimes corny, e.g. when Alicia says "What if the part of us that knows waking from the dream...(touches his hand) What if it isn't here... (touches his heart) What if it's here?" Yeah, what if? (BTW, there's some stuff in the bio that got left out of the screenplay which, let us say, throws a big wrench into the love story told in the film).
What I liked best about the screenplay is the light/darkness motif, which I guess I missed when viewing the film. The opening image is "A STAINED GLASS WINDOW-CLOSE. Sunlight illuminates a complex pattern of symbols and lines...The light refracting through his glass draws shifting angles of rainbow on the bar before him." The closing images is "He takes her hand, turning his back on them, man and wife heading away together, outside, into the light and gone." In between, Goldsman never misses an opportunity to describe light, darkness, and shadows.
I never liked math in school, but maybe I would have if Goldsman had been my teacher. He manages to show the beauty in mathematics with action like this "The lines on the window emerge, a geometric formation floating in mid air" (page 1) and dialogue like this "...That is the only truth. The math of things, the math of everything, the secrets implied by the world in whispers" (page 7).
The love story between John Nash and his wife Alicia is touching but sometimes corny, e.g. when Alicia says "What if the part of us that knows waking from the dream...(touches his hand) What if it isn't here... (touches his heart) What if it's here?" Yeah, what if? (BTW, there's some stuff in the bio that got left out of the screenplay which, let us say, throws a big wrench into the love story told in the film).
What I liked best about the screenplay is the light/darkness motif, which I guess I missed when viewing the film. The opening image is "A STAINED GLASS WINDOW-CLOSE. Sunlight illuminates a complex pattern of symbols and lines...The light refracting through his glass draws shifting angles of rainbow on the bar before him." The closing images is "He takes her hand, turning his back on them, man and wife heading away together, outside, into the light and gone." In between, Goldsman never misses an opportunity to describe light, darkness, and shadows.
May 8, 2020
عقل جميل A Beautiful Mind
هو فيلم أمريكي حاز على أربعة جوائز أوسكار
ويحكي قصة أحد العلماء ، الذين فازوا بجائزة نوبل وهو العالم جون ناش.
والذي كان يعاني من مرض نفسي ، يسمى فصام الشخصية
أشتهر البطل بذكائه وعبقريته ، فقام البنتاجون بدعوته لفك أحد شفرات الاتصال الخاصة بالعدو ، واستطاع أن يفك الشفرة ويدهش الجميع.
وفي يوم من الأيام عرض على طلابه ، أحد المسائل الرياضية الصعبة وتحدى طلابه في حلها ، ولكن قامت أحد طالباته وهي أليشيا بحلها ، فيعجب بها وتصبح زوجته .
هو فيلم أمريكي حاز على أربعة جوائز أوسكار
ويحكي قصة أحد العلماء ، الذين فازوا بجائزة نوبل وهو العالم جون ناش.
والذي كان يعاني من مرض نفسي ، يسمى فصام الشخصية
أشتهر البطل بذكائه وعبقريته ، فقام البنتاجون بدعوته لفك أحد شفرات الاتصال الخاصة بالعدو ، واستطاع أن يفك الشفرة ويدهش الجميع.
وفي يوم من الأيام عرض على طلابه ، أحد المسائل الرياضية الصعبة وتحدى طلابه في حلها ، ولكن قامت أحد طالباته وهي أليشيا بحلها ، فيعجب بها وتصبح زوجته .
April 11, 2021
Captivatingly thought awakening. I watched this on big screen with a friend but can't remember the year. I can feel every words that Russel says to Jennifer. You know I can see clearly what it was in his mind yes Nash, a genius what he can see beyond and trying to open it up. In the meantime, now that it was on letters I just sticked to where I can only grasped.
February 26, 2018
Amazing movie, wish I had the bandwidth to stick with the book. Had to give up...
April 12, 2020
Overall i love this book
November 4, 2020
Loved the surprises in the book and the hard look his family has to take with him so that he can have help
November 15, 2023
You have no respect for cognitive reverie, you know that?
(12:00)
(12:00)
April 11, 2019
Started CAUZ I had nothing to do, Wasn't interested at initial point, got those kicks of thrill in the 50%cried at 75% got inspired at the end. Really felt that pain and now I love maths for no reason.
November 23, 2013
This book was well written by Sylvia Nasar who obviously did volumes of research about her subject, John Nash, the famous Nobel Prize winning mathematician. However, in spite of her attention to detail and her patient descriptions of the personality idiosyncrasies of Mr Nash, I could not endear myself to this main character at all. In fact, reading the book made me glad I never met the guy. I may rent the movie (starring Russell Crowe) to see if I can at least stir up a little empathy for him.
July 1, 2015
This book was a great example of how a script should be written. I'm taking notes and hope to improve on my next script. So simply written that it makes for a very fluent read. I'll keep this copy for how to write and create better screenplays. I wish a couple of scenes could have been eliminated or cleaned up... but otherwise a great story!
August 22, 2014
I recommend this book because after all it's a great story. If you have watched the movie I don't think you would like to read this book anymore since it's slightly different in particular parts. But overall, it's still great story.
May 29, 2012
Very interesting, will likely never forget this book. Too detailed and long. As a friend said, why is Russell Crowe's picture on the cover? I hope they put Joe Mantegna on the cover of my biography.
July 26, 2013
There is a movie based on this book.
I can't say....who is normal or abnormal.
Human's brain and life are amazing.
We shouln't judge now or past or future...I was happy or am happy or will be happy.
All is gift from God.
I can't say....who is normal or abnormal.
Human's brain and life are amazing.
We shouln't judge now or past or future...I was happy or am happy or will be happy.
All is gift from God.
December 10, 2016
It's a beautifully written book not only about a genius mind but also about truly n purely a person can love another. stand by you no matter the circumstances coz u r committed by heart n soul to be with each other through every thick n thin.
October 23, 2007
It was a birthday gift from my x-bf,. Not only a birthday gift, it tells u about a gift 'beautiful mind'.
December 27, 2007
True life is stranger than fiction. This man's story is incredible.
April 1, 2008
asli..keren abis. t o p bgt!
analisa..analisa..dan analisa, sampe stres..
analisa..analisa..dan analisa, sampe stres..
April 4, 2008
BLUM BACA dah nonton film-nya dan JATUH CINTA dengan segala-galanya dalam film itu. Jadi, bukunya PASTI bagus (HARUS BAGUS!)--hehe, obyektifitas kemanakan perginya dirimu?
November 12, 2008
This is really an indepth book. The movie did not do the story justice. Very interesting read, but you better like math.
October 11, 2011
This script is pretty faithful to the film. I liked Goldsman's introduction and the script's multiple references to doing laundry.
August 3, 2012
جميييل حقا ، يتحدث عن سيرة جون ناش عالم الرياضيات المصاب بانفصام شخصية ، ليصور الفيلم معاناته مع هذا المرض ، شاهدت فيلمه
December 2, 2012
A wonderfully written book, written to show the good and bad of John Nash. The movie is absolutely nothing like the book.
December 15, 2012
قصة رائعة
June 15, 2013
The movie was great, but nearly unrecognizable from the truth of this brilliant, troubled man. Beautifully written, always fascinating.
February 6, 2014
Somehow manages to be both, over- and under-written.
December 12, 2014
A beautiful book. Really brings to light the difficulties of living with a person with mental illness, as well as the difficulties experiencing the illness.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews