One of the best DVDs that is exemplary of the medium is “A Beautiful Mind” that was directed by Ron Howard; the film focused on the life of John Nash and can be considered as a form of fiction documentary. The basis behind this type of categorization is due to how the film combined elements of the life of Nash with various fictional scenarios and elements that helped audiences to better connect with the various trials that Nash experienced due to this psychological condition (Keltner 111). As a whole, the DVD is definitely more auteurist centric since it focuses more on the life of Steve Nash and not necessarily on the acting prowess of the lead actor (Russel Crowe). This is all the more evident when looking at the special features section of the DVD and examining the process that went into the film’s development. This section of the DVD showcased how the film utilized a combination of biographical data, interviews as well as consulted with John Nash himself in order to develop the story.
From the events depicted in the film to the theorems, formulas and statistics utilized, all of it was based on real mathematical data and helps audiences to see the brilliance of Nash and how be overcame his own personal struggles in order to develop into the person that he became (Brander 254). Do note though that the DVD does take certain “liberties” when it comes to depicting the schizophrenia that Nash suffered from. For instance, in real life Nash only heard voices whereas in the film his form of schizophrenia showed him actually interacting with visual delusions that seemed like real people (Shone 122). Aside from this, there were also additions in the form of Nash supposedly being hired by his delusion in order to stop a Nazi plot when in reality this never happened to the real John Nash. This particular form of “exaggeration” was never really delved into in the special features section of the DVD since the actors who played the delusions did not seem to indicate during the interviews that the real John Nash only suffered from auditory delusions and not visual ones (Parker 321).
From this, it can be seen that the DVD encourages viewers to interpret the condition that John Nash suffered from in a more visceral and intense way. The director wanted audiences to think that Nash really did suffer tremendously due to his mental issues when in reality the problems that he experienced were not as intense as they were depicted. This shows that the DVD has a distinct auteurist perspective to it wherein it expresses the manner in which the director believes audiences should view Nash’s mental illness and how it contributed to his brilliant yet tragic life (Simpson 48). Aside from this, the DVDs additional features also delve into the contributions of Nash towards the field of economics. While not truly extensive, it does show aspects of the theorem that he developed which helps economists to explain the interactions of national economies and international players. Overall, the DVD is a brilliant piece of work that truly exemplifies the medium (Capps 366). It helps to reveal that brilliance of John Nash and the hardships and trials that he had to overcome in order to attain the Nobel prize that he was awarded.
Works Cited
Brander, James A. “A Beautiful Mind (Book/Movie).” Canadian Journal Of Economics 36.1 (2003): 254. Print
Capps, Donald. “John Nash: Three Phases In The Career Of A Beautiful Mind.” Journal Of Religion & Health 44.4 (2005): 363-376. Print
Keltner, Norman L. “A Beautiful Mind Ron Howard (Director).” Perspectives In Psychiatric Care 43.2 (2007): 110-111. Print
Parker, Grace. “A diagnostic bind: movie mania and John Nash’s schizophrenia.” Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica Nov. 2015: 321. Print
Shone, Tom. “A Beautiful Mind. (Cover Story).” Town & Country 169.5416 (2015): 122. Print
Simpson, Kevin E. ““Beautiful Minds”: A Seminar Course On The Psychology Of Genius.” Teaching Of Psychology 36.1 (2009): 46-50. Print