5 movies about intelligent people
Today I bring you a list of movies about extremely intelligent characters; personally, I have always been fascinated by watching people much smarter than me — which is really simple, on the other hand — solving problems or complicated situations.
Here are 5 essential films for lovers of cinema and the mysterious mechanism that is the human brain.
1. A Beautiful Mind (2001)
Summary: Based on the real-life story of American mathematician John Nash, the film explores Nash’s complex relationship with schizophrenia while making significant contributions to game theory, contributions that, by the way, earned him a Nobel Prize in Economics.
From this movie, I would like to highlight the social critique about the stigmatization of mental health and the discrimination that people with psychiatric illnesses suffer.
In the artistic aspect, Ron Howard’s direction stands out for its sensitivity and Russell Crowe’s masterful performance, who captures the essence of John Nash. Likewise, the film is not without controversy, having received criticism for its portrayal of mental illness and criticisms for the simplification of Nash’s life.
Awards: It won four Oscars: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Adapted Screenplay.
Duration: Approximately 135 minutes.
2. Good Will Hunting (1997)
Summary: A young mathematics prodigy with behavioral problems finds direction in his life with the help of a therapist.
This movie focuses on rebellion and the search for freedom, emphasizing Will’s defiant attitude towards authority and his desire to live life on his own terms; on the other hand, it values the importance of psychological therapy to face his past traumas. As a social critique of the film, I would highlight the lack of opportunities for people from lower classes, especially in education, but obviously, this occurs in all aspects.
Awards: The film received nine Oscar nominations, winning two of them: Best Original Screenplay, for Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, and Best Supporting Actor for Robin Williams.
Duration: Approximately 126 minutes.
3. The Man Who Knew Infinity (2015)
Summary: It tells the story of Indian mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan, who made significant contributions to number theory. Ramanujan is a self-taught man who struggles against poverty, racism, and illness while pursuing his passion for mathematics.
I particularly liked this movie because it is able to relate the beauty we see in nature to mathematics; it also shows the difficulty an Indian faced in a society like early 20th-century Britain.
Awards: Nominated for and winner of several awards at film festivals.
Duration: Approximately 105 minutes.
So far, we have covered films based on real events and biographical ones; now we enter into fantasy territory with the following two films:
4. Limitless (2011)
Summary: Writer Eddie Morra suffers a severe creativity crisis. One day he tries an experimental drug that allows him to make the most of his mental faculties.
I like the premise of the movie; I believe we have all fantasized at some point about being extremely intelligent. These events trigger a series of successes and excesses in the protagonist that will make us have a very entertaining time in front of the screen.
What would you do if you had the same mental capabilities as the protagonist? I’ll read you in the comments.
Awards: Nominated for and winner of several awards at film festivals.
Duration: Approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes.
5. Lucy (2014)
Summary: A young student who, forced by circumstances, becomes a mule for a drug trafficking gang. After an accident, she is exposed to an experimental drug that expands her mental capacities, triggering a series of extraordinary events.
I like the character’s evolution as she increases her brain capabilities; obviously, it’s all fantasy, but I like to think that maybe in the future, humanity is capable of modifying its own intelligence and developing some skills like the ones seen here.
Awards: Nominated for and winner of several awards at film festivals.
Duration: Approximately 90 minutes.
I think this small list covers the preferences of people looking for something based more on real events and also for those who love fantasy. In my case, I love both, but it depends on my mood at the moment which type I prefer. If you liked the list, leave me a comment telling me your impressions.
By the way, I remind you that you can access these movies and many more through the Stremio program. If you still don’t know what Stremio is, here’s the installation and usage guide:
