02 Apr Infinity (1996)

Surely You Jest

Some theorists live in the world of their theories. If you are going to pay attention to people, these are the most worthwhile. And certainly if you are going to build a film around them, you have some pretty rich possibilities. That’s because the best films — in my opinion — take you to an alternative world, and the world of these theorists is often wonderful indeed. Nash was one of these thinkers who lived in the world he created, which is why “Beautiful Mind” was such a disappointment.

Feynman was a different sort of beast altogether. For him, the world was real, and he lived in it. He was among the best at forming elegant models and describing them to others, but it was all from the solid foundation of him in the real world. So a film about him in an artificial film world is not possible, which is why Broderick’s approach is so apt. The problem is that if you focus on him as a person, he is a pretty ordinary person.

I suppose that’s what the Brodericks wanted, a “small film” that they could manage. It is done well enough, especially the agent in disguise as an Indian. There’s nothing wrong. It is just too slight.

Posted in 2003

Ted’s Evaluation — 2 of 3: Has some interesting elements.

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