Lots of gongs later, and "A Beautiful Mind" makes it onto a double-disc DVD set that's undoubtedly got some good material on it, but is nearly overwhelmed with chatty fluff.
TECHNICAL FEATURES
Picture The movie's cinematic style splits between warm and glowing, cold and harsh. Both looks transfer well to disc with detail retained, even during the most honey-bathed scenes.
Sound A subtle and light 5.1 mix caresses the speakers with James Horner's lilting music score, but there's also punch available for the more dramatic moments.
DISC ONE SPECIAL FEATURES
Audio Commentaries There are two commentary tracks for the film: one with director Ron Howard, and the other with writer Akiva Goldsman. Neither merits a separate review as both repeat detail and describe what's going on in the movie, rather than offering much in the way of substance.
A joint effort would have worked far better, as they both struggle to find enough to say to fill the running time. Amongst the long silences, Howard does offer an insight into the production process, while Goldsman talks us through script changes. The first minute of Goldsman's effort is well worth avoiding unless you really want to hear him describing the three opening logos.
Deleted Scenes As is common with the presentation of deleted scenes on many DVDs, you select the menu and are then offered the choice of watching the footage with or without commentary. Before you've got time to make up your beautiful mind with this disc, Ron Howard's disembodied voice pipes up inviting you to pick his commentary!
There's an immense 30 minutes worth of footage to get through, and Howard's commentary is quite helpful in detailing factual history that inspired the scene, and why it was then deleted. Most of the material was dropped for timing reasons, but, as Howard argues, a high percentage of it is quality footage.
DISC TWO SPECIAL FEATURES
A Beautiful Partnership Ron Howard and co-producer Brian Grazer discuss why they chose... Ron Howard to direct. It wouldn't seem like there was a choice to be made as they're both partners in the venture, but Grazer felt it was worth turning away other A-list directors in favour of Ron. Find out why in this five-minute featurette.
Development of the Screenplay Once Ron safely had his work secured, there turned out to be some positions still available, including that of screenwriter. This eight-minute featurette looks as why Akiva Goldsman was hired, and how both he and Howard wanted to get the audience inside the mind of John Nash, rather than telling the outside story. Ron felt a love story was missing, and asked Akiva to work one in, and despite his initial resistance, Akiva now counts some of the romantic scenes as his favourite.
Meeting John Nash Filmed on hand-held digital camera, this eight-minute class with John Nash suffers in sound quality, but there's no mistaking the enthusiasm with which Nash talks us through his formulas. He scribbles away on a blackboard, while chatting away, just as Crowe does in the movie.
Nobel Prize in Economics This is footage of the 1994 prize ceremony in Stockholm with John Nash accepting the award.
Casting The casting of Russell Crowe and Jennifer Connelly is discussed by Howard and Grazer in a featurette that includes behind-the-scenes footage. Howard initially wasn't so sure on using Crowe, while the part of Alicia Nash was tested with hundreds of actresses before they settled on Connelly.
The Process of Age Progression Make-up expert Greg Cannom talks us through the process of making Crowe look younger than he is, before then gradually ageing him into an old man.
Storyboard Comparisons Ron Howard provides an introduction to this section, which features storyboard comparisons with three scenes from the movie and two deleted scenes.
Creation of the Special Effects There's a steady stream of subtle special effects throughout the movie. Tricks like a girl running through pigeons that don't move, and the baby in the bath, are revealed here.
Scoring the Film This featurette concerns the music score by James Horner, and on the synergy he has with Ron Howard. You'll also find a short interview with Charlotte Church, who's somewhat more demurely dressed than whenever she appears in the tabloids.
Inside a Beautiful Mind There's no escape from the 'making of' documentary! At 22 minutes, this is best avoided if you haven't seen the film, as it gives away most of the story in detail. Otherwise, there's behind-the-scenes footage to be found here, but the re-telling of the story soon becomes a chore.
Academy Awards Footage of the four Oscar acceptance speeches is here for you to gawp and wonder at. There's ample proof on show that Ron Howard should not be allowed to make speeches. Bless him, he makes very watchable films, but he should hire Gwyneth Paltrow or Halle Berry to replace him in the future.
Additional Extra Features Also on disc two is a trailer and an advert for the soundtrack CD.
Region: 2
Chapters: 20
Ratio: 1.85:1 (anamorphic)
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1
Technical Features: Scene selection, multiple languages and subtitles.
This DVD was reviewed on a JVC XV-S57 DVD player.
