Very fascinating, delicate and inspiring A Brilliant Young Mind has a very good cast, fine direction and a story that you’ll long remember. The film was inspired by the documentary by Morgan Matthews that involved following young brilliant math students that participated in the challenging competition International Mathematical Olympiad. Here he takes a script written by James Graham and fashions it into a story of one boy who faces a test of will, social acceptance and rules for romance.
Julie Ellis (Sally Hawkins) has had to deal with a lot of emotional drama and when she finds herself losing her husband things become even more difficult. Julie’s young child Nathan (Asa Butterfield) has been trying to deal with mental state due to his high IQ and the loss of her life partner puts their future in doubt. She enrolls Nathan in High School at age 9 and the film fast forwards to the now 13 year old who has been impressing his math teacher Martin Humphreys (Rafe Spall). At the top of his math class Humphreys urges Nathan to take the trial test to see if he is eligible for The British Mathematical Olympiad. When he does it sets Nathan and his mother on a course that will change their lives.
The film goes on from there showing Nathan’s genius, his dealing with his fellow students and a spark of romance with Zhang Mei (Jo Yang) from the land of the Panda Bear. Director Morgan Matthews does an exceptional job with his talent honing them into interesting characters that inspire and delight. Not having heard of the Olympiad for math, I am impressed with the intensity of the learning and the aggressive competition within. Focusing his lens on his characters, Matthews puts his audience in the middle of it all so we can feel the energy.
In a wonderful performance by Asa Butterfield (Hugo, Enders Game) we follow the brilliant teen as works his way through the labyrinth of his challenging life. Nathan’s conflicted in choosing whether he should leave his past behind and taste the new and amazing things to which he’s being exposed. I like his acting, mannerisms and delivery embodying the character making him interesting and captivating.
A Brilliant Young Mind has not been rated by the MPAA, but contains a scene of drug use by minors and some language. Be cautious when deciding to allow immature children see the film as it does have some scenes that are inappropriate for adolescents.
FINAL ANALYSIS: A very good film that will have you captivated till the credits roll. (A)
Additional Film Information:
Cast: Asa Butterfield, Sally Hawkins, Jo Yang, Rafe Spall, Eddie Marsan, Orion Lee
Directed by: Morgan Matthews
Genre: Drama, Comedy
MPAA Rating: Not Rated, contains drug use, language
Running Time: 1hr. 51 min.
Release Date: November 6, 2015
Distributed by: Samuel Goldwyn Films
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
