Writer: David Auburn, Rebecca Miller (Screenplay) David Auburn (Play)
Starring: Gwyneth Paltrow, Anthony Hopkins, Jake Gyllenhaal, Gary Houston,, Hope Davis
Plot: The daughter Catherine (Paltrow) of a brilliant but mentally disturbed mathematician Robert (Hopkins) tries to come to grips with her possible inheritance: his insanity. Complicating matters are one of her father’s ex-student Hal (Gyllenhaal) who wants to search through his papers and her estranged sister who shows up to help settle his affairs.
Verdict: It is all about the proof
Story: On paper this should make a very interesting drama, but unfortunately this comes off very boring. We gets lots of talking about maths theory that no common person will have an idea what is going on, mixing that all together with whether somebody is sane or not. Granted this is taken from a play but we focus too much on the sanity and not enough on what she might be crazy about. (5/10)
Actor Reviews
Gwyneth Paltrow: Catherine the daughter of Robert who may well be just as much of a genius as him. Gives an ok performance but this really won’t be one many will remember. (6/10)
Anthony Hopkins: Robert genius maths professor, who recently passed away, fills in during flashbacks and vision with his daughter. Poor performance from Hopkins, who really should be giving better performances. (4/10)
Jake Gyllenhaal: Hal the student of Robert’s who wants to prove his work was really brilliant, but gets more than he expected when his daughter could be the one with the brilliant theory. Average performance from Jake, who can do much better. (5/10)
Hope Davis: Claire the out of town sister who wants to take Catherine back to New York with her and sell the house. Good performance playing the relative you are not mean to like. (6/10)
Director Review: John Madden – After the success of A Beautiful Mind we thought a film about maths theory might be interesting, but this director fails to give it that. (5/10)
Mystery: Leaves you to guess throughout whether the father or daughter created the theory. (4/10)
Settings: Most of the film is set in the family house showing that the connection could have made them closer as well as tearing them apart. (7/10)
Suggestion: Unless you are really into your maths theory then you should just be avoiding this. (Avoid)
Best Part: The idea
Worst Part: The way the idea is made.
Believability: We do have people that are this brilliant but close to insanity. (4/10)
Chances of Tears: No (0/10)
Chances of Sequel: No
Post Credits Scene: No
Awards: Nominated for a Golden Globe
Oscar Chances: No
Box Office: $14,189,860
Budget: $20 Million
Runtime: 1 Hour 39 Minutes
Tagline: If you don’t believe in yourself, who will believe in you?
Trivia:Paltrow reprises the role of Catherine that she had played on stage in London’s West End.
Overall: As Boring As Maths In School
Rating