Proof (DVD, 2006)

There are so much to admire in John Madden directed `Proof' - Gwyneth Paltrow's acting for example - but there are also many flaws in it, the worst being its stagy and talky nature of the film.

At first `Proof' unfolds like a mystery. As many say on the net, the film is based on the critically acclaimed play (which I have not seen). It is about Catherine (Paltrow) and her recently deceased father Robert (Anthony Hopkins). Robert was a genius of mathematics, but his last days, as is suggested in flashbacks, were troubled ones.

Now one interesting thing happens after his death. Hal (Jake Gyllenhaal), former student of Robert, finds a notebook, which might or might not contain a brilliant finding of mathematics. Of course, we need a proof as to the authenticity of the writing. But eventually Hal realizes another proof is needed: who really wrote this?

[STAGY (YOU MAY LIKE IT OR NOT)] `Proof' is no more about mathematic theories than `A Beautiful Mind' was. `Proof' is about Catherine and other three characters - her father, Hal, and her domineering sister Claire (Hope Davies). Almost all the dialogues are exchanged between Catherine and one of these three roles, and their exchanged words, which often get emotional, suggest the truths about their relations and the past. The method is notable for its lengthy speech, which reminds us its stage origin, and whether you like it or not, you never forget that you are watching a filmed version of a stage production.

But perhaps that would not be really annoying. Paltrow' shows splendid acting, so does Hopkins. Unfortunately Davies and Gyllenhaal are less compelling than the other two, partly because Davies's character is basically a off-putting one, and Gyllenhaal's unconvincing. His must show enough intelligence to convince us that he can notice the true value of the notebook in his ex-instructor's library. Sorry, but I couldn't see anything like that.

Oscar-winning `Shakespeare in Love' is one of my favorite films, but if the director had been someone else, it could be much better than what we are seeing now. John Madden, who directed both `Shakespeare' and `Proof,' handles the material pretty well here, but the results are far from perfect. The overuse of flashbacks is confusing, and when the film shows the romance, his direction becomes suddenly banal. And it must be admitted that the film gets silly sometimes. Throwing such a precious notebook into a car window? Didn't he think of any better idea?

`Proof' has intelligence, and the academia presented here looks real enough. But I'm afraid that is exactly the reason I was disappointed with the film. The performance is strong and good enough to make us care the characters while the story is convoluting, requiring us too much patience to follow it. The film says the notebook contains a significant discovery of mathematics while they don't even think of the simplest way to prove who wrote it In this way the characters are presented with superb acting, but we are never truly allowed to feel the pains or regrets of them.

"Proof" is a story that revolves around a brilliant mathematician who slipped into madness. His daughter inherited his genius abilities, and she fears she has also inherited his tendency for insanity. The story begins after Robert's death, and Catherine, his daughter, must face the world on her own for the first time in her life. She is as mathematically brilliant as her father, but she is also a woman in a man's world. Starring Anthony Hopkins as Robert, Gwyneth Paltrow as Catherine, and Jake Gyllenhaal.

This is an excellent story showing the effects of fear and trust.

A brilliant movie. True, the story doesn't travel in the way most predictable Hollywood films often do. In the end, you are almost left with more questions than answers (thus, my comparison to the Academy Award winning "Crash"). But the beauty of it is in the confusion--that's the great joke! The entire revolves around "needing to have PROOF" of something: emotional well-being, mathmatical genius, love, hate, brilliance, and more. The great statement being made in the film's lack of a firm conclusion is exactly the final 'jab' at the concept. It leaves you hanging IN ORDER TO say, "Hey, proof is sometimes overrated. Sometimes you just have to BE and let others interpret that as they choose." Because unlike math, life (and especially relationships) can't always be measured, appreciated, or judged by what is provable....

Paltrow is stunning - the complex strength and fragility in a single character comes off with glowing excellence. Hopkins plays a convincingly bipolar (although I believe he was supposed to be schizophrenic) genius. And Gyllenhaal plays his character with both a very aggravating and very adorable quality that makes his character seem much more 'familiar.'

The film ultimately revolves not around fear...and not even so much abou relationships (be they romantic, family, friend, or otherwise); rather, the heart of the subject matter seems to be fear. What is it? And how to we cope? Where does it come from? Should we listen, or just ignore it? It's quite thought-provoking....humbling, even, if you let it.

I was blown away. For those fans of character-exploring dramas such as "I Am Sam" or "A Beautiful Mind," and for those with the courage and curiosity to peer inside the world of a crazy person, DEFINITELY watch "{Proof}"!!

Seeing Gwyneth Paltrow, Anthony Hopkins and Jake Gyllenhaal work together in this awesome movie was very inspiring. Jake has been in so many movies recently and with so many talented actors and actresses. Gwyneth Paltrow peforms very well in this challenging movie, which by the way, is a Pulitzer Prize-winning play! You just cannot find enough words to describe Anthony Hopkins and his terrific portrayal of this mathematical genius. Keep your eyes and heart open when you watch this movie and own today!

A devoted daughter comes to terms with the death of her father, a brilliant mathematician whose genius was crippled by mental instability. Along the way, she's forced to face her own dark fears. But she has help from one of her father's former students, who searches through the dead man's papers for the source of his brilliance.