A Brilliant Young Mind
Samuel Goldwyn Films | Release Date: September 11, 2015
6.7
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 26 Ratings
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16
Mixed:
8
Negative:
2
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6
LeZeeSep 24, 2015
Can you give up what you're good at for a girl.

I was fascinated by its storyline, reviews and ratings, but it did not deliver what I was expected. In fact, it fell simple and dull because of the end. Some people will accept it, but notCan you give up what you're good at for a girl.

I was fascinated by its storyline, reviews and ratings, but it did not deliver what I was expected. In fact, it fell simple and dull because of the end. Some people will accept it, but not me. For me it was neither good nor bad. Sometimes I don't care even it was cliched conclusion, if it's the best thing for the story to have. So this film tried to avoid it and there I lost my interest in this.

Like I said the initial parts were very good. Had a very good character called Nathan, a teenage mathematics prodigy. The movie narrates his journey to prepare for participating in one of the most prestigious international competition to represent his country. He gets trained by a finest teacher in the country and remaining tells whether he makes it or not.

Actually the film was partially based on one of the Britain's participants from the 2006's IMO, short for International Mathematical Olympiad. Directed by a documentary filmmaker who was inspired by one of his films based on the same theme involving the original main character from this movie.

It's not a biography or a completely based on the real, it just inspired and changed entirely for the cinematic presentation. I thought, it was about a genius boy and the competition, but the romance track overhauled and took me as a surprise. Not bad at all, I liked the way the girl and the boy getting to know each other, like similar to the cultural exchange program. Excluding the ending part, it was a good film. That's what I felt, maybe it will be an awesome film for you. The only way to find out is to check it out by yourself.

6/10… Expand
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7
moviecritic22Sep 26, 2015
Art enlightens, surprises, and fascinates: Morgan Matthews's A Brilliant Young Mind does just that. When I go to a movie, I like to learn something new; a movie should provide an insight into a topic. This movie provides deep insight intoArt enlightens, surprises, and fascinates: Morgan Matthews's A Brilliant Young Mind does just that. When I go to a movie, I like to learn something new; a movie should provide an insight into a topic. This movie provides deep insight into what it is like parenting and teaching someone who is "gifted:" in the case of Nathan (the main character), Austism/Aspergers. Although I know that the tv series Parenthood has a character with Autism, this movie deals with Autism in a more holistic way. The movie's focus on Nathan's budding romance with Zhang Mei was a surprise and a delight because it shows that Nathan can indeed form deep emotional bonds with others; previous movies about extremely intelligent characters such as A Beautiful Mind and Parenthood make it seem impossible. I would have to agree with other critics that the ending was a bit disappointing. It was disappointing because it didn't wrap up all the questions that the movie raised: 1. how does nathan's teacher overcome his addiction to painkillers? 2. does nathan go on to be a successful math star? 3. does nathan end up being able to adapt to the world? I'm not convinced that he does with this current movie ending. The greater issue is about the "realness" of this movie. No where in the movie does it say that this is based upon a true story. Other commentaries say that Nathan is loosely based off of a real IMO student. Why doesn't the director have that written in at the beginning or ending? The movie feels like a documentary, but it is fiction (as far as I can tell). So does that mean I should question the "realness" of the portrayal of a student with Autism? Did the director research a real student/family and try to do an authentic representation or is the story somehow inauthentically packaged to make it appealing to a wider audience?

Overall, this movie was intriguing and it was definitely worth going to see.… Expand
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6
kathytreeceNov 20, 2016
Watched this movie on Amazon Prime. Interesting story, but very low-key. Granted, the main character was extremely introverted. More predictable than enjoyable for me.
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7
smiyamotJan 28, 2016
Great movie about an autistic child from the child's point of view. Shows the relationship with his parents, how he reacts to their efforts to reach him. And how he relates to other children his age as he grows up. Would have given it aGreat movie about an autistic child from the child's point of view. Shows the relationship with his parents, how he reacts to their efforts to reach him. And how he relates to other children his age as he grows up. Would have given it a higher score but the last 5 minutes turned into a typical "Hollywood" ending, and this film is British. I expect better from the Brits.… Expand
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7
EpicLadySpongeApr 2, 2016
A Brilliant Young Mind takes the normal everyday life of Nathan looking for a girl called Zhang Mei and they want to start making a friendship out of these two characters. Also known as X+Y on the United Kingdom.
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9
BarneyOnMTJan 5, 2016
WHAT I LIKED: This makes you laugh, cry, feel tense and emotional - 'x+y' is a film to which all character films should be compared. Few movies capture the magic of so many characters whilst still retaining the tension and beauty to keepWHAT I LIKED: This makes you laugh, cry, feel tense and emotional - 'x+y' is a film to which all character films should be compared. Few movies capture the magic of so many characters whilst still retaining the tension and beauty to keep audiences engaged throughout. The acting is truly incredible and helps protray some serious messages in a delicate and beautiful way. Plus the danger of over-pretenciousness being avoided, this film deserves every reward it won and then some.
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE: The story needs an extra 5 minutes at the end to develop. That's literally it.
VERDICT: A melodrama that doesn't bore or be 'arty for arts sake' is a rare gem. To make it this good is just outstanding.… Expand
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10
DawdlingPoetNov 20, 2021
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This film is literally, or perhaps I should say visually, a colourful film, with the blue of Nathans eyes often zommed in on and shown in a particularly bright shade. From the start its made clear that Nathan has synesthesia, which is a neurological condition that affects the perception of the senses - often this comes across in the form of associating certain colours with particular letters and numbers. People are thought to see things much more vividly and have a different impression, or outlook, on the world but I suppose its hard to really understand or imagine how things appear to people who literally see things differently (I've read numerous books about neurology over the last year or so, as I find the subject matter quite fascinating).

Back to the plot and this is clearly (primarily) a drama about a child genius, a subject of which there have been numerous other films about. I liked this film for trying to bring across what its like for people like Nathan, people found to be on the autistic spectrum and thus find it hard to relate to other people and to socialise. This is perhaps less of a family based drama, compared to other similar films, as the majority of the film follows Nathan while he's away from friends and relatives, abroad in Asia. The main theme is (unsurprisingly) isolation, alongside communication and self expression.

I found myself feeling quite sorry for Nathan, for how really quite small details would bother him - worry and upset him, such as being given a meal from a restaurant that was ordered from a menu which the dish number associated with it isn't a prime number - a tiny detail which he feels to be of great importance. At various points in the film Nathans clear dislike, if not even mild distress, at having someones hand reached across in presumption that it'd be shaken by his, is made clear. It did momentarily make me wonder what it must be like to see such seemingly mundane, fairly everyday occurences, in such a somehow potentially dangerous way.

I felt that, as in many other films, the musical score is quite subtle and moreso it added to the general 'feel' or tone of the film, adding to the sense of isolation and concern linked with Nathan at different scenes/times. There was something fundamentally sad about how Nathan clearly struggled to be at ease with himself, let alone others, to get on while surrounded by many other mathematically 'gifted' people.

It has quite a bittersweet feel to it, this film. There are a number of ironic things which happen as a result of the plot. Its made clear that its not just Nathan who has issues. I can't not mention the strong element of sentimentality that is present throughout the film - I'm not sure it'd be fair to say this is purely a film aimed at weepy women (that would seem inherintly sexist surely?) but there are a number of scenes involving Nathans mother which show her struggling and could cause tears to flow. There is definitely a strong sense of struggle present, struggle and asserting personal identity and this isn't purely directed at Nathan but at those who who are close to him and play a part in his life. I liked how Asia (or, more precisely, Taiwan) was put across as quite a colourful, bright, vivid place with a pretty open culture (if you know what I mean). The locals that are shown seen very respectful and I (pardon the pun) respect that about Asian culture and by matter of fact I have been at least somewhat interested in Asia - the landscapes, the culture, the people, for many years now.

Content wise, there are one or two scenes of violence, some blood is shown which may trigger people with blood phobias and the like. There is some fairly strong language as well, although its hardly a very graphic film in general. For the record, this film carries a 12 certificate, so its suitable for teenagers and adults. Cast wise, I felt that Asa Butterfield did a brilliant job in bringing the main character of Nathan Ellis to life. He is emotionally very expressive, while still clearly quite cut off socially. The two other cast members that I felt did particularly well in their roles were Rafe Spall as Nathans personal maths tutor, Martin Humphreys - a man with a troubled past of his own and Nathans mother, Julie, who is played magnificently - with determination, sadness and stoicism well portrayed - by Sally Hawkins.… Expand
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