"A beautiful and effective drama on autism.”
From his 2007 highly-acclaimed documentary called Beautiful Young Minds, Morgan Matthews
tells a heart-warming story about an autistic math prodigy who finally learns
to break loose from his introversion. Entitled A Brilliant Young Mind (previously X + Y), Morgan’s debut feature explores
the intricacies of autism from both the afflicted and his loved ones while
offering us a glimpse of the mystifying world of mathematics.
From a young age, Yorkshire-grown Nathan Ellis (Edward Baker-Close) has always been more obsessed with numbers and patterns than toys
boys his age play. Admirably, he shares a tight bond with his father (Martin McCann) which his mother, Julie (Sally Hawkins), struggles to match. So when
his dad dies in a car accident, Nathan becomes more withdrawn and unfriendly,
even to the only parent left to him. Desperate for a warm connection with her son, Julie hires
Martin Humphreys (Rafe Spall) as his math tutor. A former International
Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) contestant himself, Martin sees the potential in
Nathan and grooms him well.
Years roll by and Nathan (now Asa Butterfield) has grown to
be a tall young man, yet still self-absorbed and socially awkward. Martin
successfully gets Nathan into the IMO pre-competition. With Martin’s genial but
self-important old teacher, Richard (Eddie Marsan), Nathan goes to Taiwan for a math
camp with the Chinese contenders where he will also compete for one of the positions to
represent the UK. Far from the comforts of his home, Nathan will venture into
unfamiliar territories, meeting different people in the process like the
super-talented Rebecca (Alexa Davies), arrogant Luke (Jake Davies) and Chinese
fling Zhang Mei (Jo Yang).
A Brilliant Young
Mind is a standard family film; yet, despite being formulaic and
predictable, it is sharply perceptive and immensely gratifying. It is positive
and uplifting without sacrificing authenticity in its respectful portrayal of
autism. It is a smart and sensitive drama, filled with empathy not only to its
lead character but also to the people surrounding him. There are several
figures involved but the narrative sufficiently gives time and attention to
each that we feel and root for them. It is always honest, paying keen interest
to every behavior and story.
Julie is one of the most fascinating characters in the
movie. She is lonely but tirelessly patient to her son who won’t even let her
touch him or who constantly makes her feel that she is not good enough. She
willingly and happily carries a mother’s burden and that alone pulls the
heartstrings. Hawkins is stunning as Julie. She is solid and convincing,
delivering the right sensibilities of a mother raising an autistic child.
Martin Humphrey is another well-detailed figure in the film.
His multiple sclerosis impeded his ambitions but through Nathan, he finds new
hope and romance. Similarly, Nathan’s coach Richard also has dreams of prestige
and honor via the IMO. Spall as Martin and Marsan as Richard are both welcome
doses of comic interludes. With his limited screen time, McCann manages to
leave strong impression as Nathan’s father. Young stars Yang as the Chinese
girl struggling to please her family and prove herself, Jake Davies as the
intelligent yet bitter Olympiad hopeful, and Baker-Close as young Nathan are
also impressive in their roles.
In essence, the film is about Nathan Ellis and his behaviors
brought about by his condition. After his father’s death, he has become sulky
and aloof, appearing conceited and snobbish to the people around him. But
inspecting closely, he is just afraid that he might say or do the wrong thing;
thus, he would rather do nothing and distance himself. Butterfield, with his
angelic face and self-absorbed air, powerfully captures the loneliness, aches
and fears of Nathan, delivering them with rightful tenderness and sensitivity,
and proving he is one of the best actors of his generation.
A Brilliant Young
Mind is an insightful and stirring depiction of autism and how it
influences the individuals involved. It is a story of many lives and the film
beautifully intertwines them into an overwhelmingly heart-warming drama. It may be
conventional but it remains effective and compelling. Except for some snippets on standard test
questions and calculations, it avoids probing deeply into the details of
mathematics (so relax math-phobes).
Production
companies: A BBC Films and BFI presentation in association with Head Gear
Films, Metrol Technology, Screen Yorkshire, Lipsync Productions of an Origin
Pictures, Minnow Films production
Cast: Asa Butterfield,
Sally Hawkins, Rafe Spall, Eddie Marsan, Jo Yang, Martin McCann, Jake Davies,
Alex Lawther, Alexa Davies, Deng Laoshi, Edward Baker-Close
Director: Morgan Matthews
Screenwriter: James Graham
Producers: Laura
Hastings-Smith, David M. Thompson, Ed Rubin
Executive producers:
Christine Langan, Joe Oppenheimer, Lizzie Francke, Phil Hunt, Compton Ross,
Hugo Heppell, Norman Merry, Peter Hampden
Director of photography:
Danny Cohen
Production designer:
Richard Bullock
Costume designer: Suzanne
Cave
Editor: Peter Lambert
Music: Mearl
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