The movie A Beautiful Mind, directed by Ron Howard, implements a wide range of cinematography techniques and concepts to help the audience develop an understanding of powerful ideas regarding the main character’s mental illness, schizophrenia. Furthermore, the film raises such themes as reality, love, relationships, morality, and recovery (Grazer & Howard, 2001). The masterpiece by Grazer and Howard (2001) depicts the story of John Forbes Nash Jr., whose behavior and experiences differ throughout his lifespan. He is portrayed as a genius affected by schizophrenia but eventually coming to a re-awakening. This paper aims to analyze the concept of cinematic language and its elements, as well as discuss how and why they are utilized in the movie A Beautiful Mind.
To begin with, it is necessary to define the term of cinematic language. It is essential to understand the difference of this notion from the common understanding of the word language. According to Barsam and Monahan (2019), cinematic language is “composed not of words but of myriad integrated techniques and concepts” that connect the audience to the story while concealing the means allowing this connection (p. 3).
It comprises various elements, including camera shots, movement, and angles, composition, focus, Mise-en-Scène, lighting, sound, music, editing, montage, and performance (Barsam & Monahan, 2019). In other words, cinematic language allows for conveying the core idea and message of the movie without explicitly revealing this fact to the viewer. While written language utilizes sentences, words, and letters for narrative, cinema employs shot, scenes, and dramatic sequences.
In this paper, the concept of cinematic language is discussed through the analysis of the movie A Beautiful Mind. Grazer and Howard (2001) implement a variety of cinematic techniques to convey a message about the central character’s mental illness to the audience. In particular, visual references are used throughout the movie to represent the development of Nash’s personality and illness. At the beginning of A Beautiful Mind, one can see Nash pick up and twist a glass creating refraction due to the sunlight. This powerful image emphasizes the main character’s ability to see the world in a unique, beautiful way. At the end of the movie, Nash’s wife is frustrated by his aggravated schizophrenia throwing the glass against the wall. This image represents the protagonist’s fractured mind and desperation.
Another example of using cinematic language in the movie includes Nash’s close-ups. These shots of the main character highlight his inability to escape from the illness and its consequences. At the same time, windows are used as a reoccurring motif and symbol for Nash’s paranoia trapping him in his invisible illness. Grazer and Howard (2001) use camera shots and angles showing the protagonist peeking through the window in desperation and anguish. The altered reality is another theme that is reflected through shots and scenes featuring Nash’s hallucinations. In other words, visual references and sounds are implemented throughout the movie to reflect the development of a mental illness in a brilliant mind.
To conclude, in the movie A Beautiful Mind, a number of elements of the cinematic language are used to convey the author’s ideas to the audience. Unlike a written language, cinematography applies camera shots and movement, composition, focus, Mise-en-Scène, lighting, sound, music, editing, montage, and performance to present the idea and provide insight for the viewer. The movie A Beautiful Mind utilizes various cinematic language elements to portray the life of a mathematical genius suffering from schizophrenia.
References
Barsam, R., & Monahan, D. (2019). Looking at movies: An introduction to film (6th ed.). Manhattan, NY: W.W. Norton & Company.
Grazer, B. (Producer), & Howard, R. (Director). (2001). A beautiful mind. USA: Universal Pictures.