A Brilliant Young Mind

((X+Y))

In select theaters
September 11^th 2015

Opening at the Midtown Art September 25^th 2015

Opening at the Kendall Square Cinema September 25^th 2015

Opening at the Madison Art Cinemas September 18^th 2015

Opening at the Plaza Frontenac Cinema September 25^th 2015

Opening at Bethesda Row and E Street Cinemas September 18^th 2015

111 minutes

English
Mandarin

Official website

A young math genius sees logic thwarted by one truly baffling equation: love. Teenage math prodigy Nathan (Asa Butterfield) struggles when it comes to building relationships with other people, not least with his mother, Julie (Sally Hawkins). In a world difficult to comprehend, he finds comfort in numbers. And when Nathan is taken under the wing of an unconventional and anarchic teacher, Mr. Humphreys (Rafe Spall), the pair forge an unusual friendship. Eventually, Nathan’s talents win him a place on the UK National team at the International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO) and the team travel to a training camp in Taiwan, under the supervision of squad leader Richard (Eddie Marsan). In unfamiliar surroundings, Nathan is confronted by a series of unexpected challenges — not least the unfamiliar feelings he begins to experience for his Chinese counterpart, the beautiful Zhang Mei (Jo Yang), feelings that develop when the young mathematicians return to England for the IMO, held at Trinity College, Cambridge.

starring...

Asa Butterfield

Nathan Ellis

Sally Hawkins

Julie Ellis

Rafe Spall

Martin Humphreys

Eddie Marsan

Richard Grieve

Jo Yang

Zhang Mei

Martin McCann

Michael Ellis

Edward Baker-Close

Nathan (9 years old)

Director

Morgan Matthews

Writer

James Graham

Story

Morgan Matthews, James Graham

Producer

Laura Hastings-Smith, David M. Thompson

Director of Photography

Danny Cohen BSC

Editor

Peter Lambert

Original Music

Mearl

Production Design

Richard Bullock

96% on the CINEMETER

STL

100% - Apr 26, 2015

This film is truly a GEM. With so many beautiful facets, it's at times overwhelming. I enjoyed it so much it makes me want to watch it many times to focus on each dimension one at a time.
St. Louis Member

Intimate feel to camerawork with tight close-ups and wide angles. Tender storytelling with a touch of documentary style in Taiwan. Made for a very authentic film. The family struggles were honest and heartfelt. So emotional.
St. Louis Member

A profound exploration of autism, human relationships, and the tender love of a boy for his father. Truly moving and emotional film.

St. Louis Member

This film is beautiful on a number of levels. It demonstrates the struggles we all face with the various difficulties in our lives. The documentary style of the film reinforces this and permits us to relate to the characters on a personal level.
St. Louis Member

Took my breath away! Moving, insightful, easily identifiable on some level for everyone. Superb acting all around!
St. Louis Member

Profoundly moving, works superbly on every level. Sally Hawkins' performance is beyond amazing. Nathan's dad "got" him, and his mum struggles to get him. Shows how perceived "flaws" can be "gifts," and "gifts" can be "flaws." Film provided a common language to bridge intellect and emotion, English and math.
St. Louis Member

As a former teacher/counselor, I have had my share of autistic students. While painful, this film brilliantly depicts the difficult terrain these students have to navigate. I particularly like the non-sugary end: he (Nathan) didn't win a medal! Makes I much more inspiring.
St. Louis Member

MIL

97% - Apr 26, 2015

Asa Butterfield was extraordinary in this role.
Milwaukee Member

Visually stunning movie that tries to explore relationships through the eyes of an autistic individual and those important to him.
Milwaukee Member

Lovely scene between mum and son in the restaurant. A little slow-going at first Always great to see Sally Hawkins!
Milwaukee Member

ATL

97% - Apr 26, 2015

As if with a sculptor's tools, this film was crafted extraordinarily, beautifully to evoke a deep and broad spectrum of emotions....just sensational.
Atlanta Member

Loved the restraint shown in the plot development and acting, terrific sound track.
Atlanta Member

Excellent--best film in a long time! What an excellent actor that boy was! So many emotions captured & relayed beautifully. The flashbacks were wonderful and helped move the story forward.
Atlanta Member

Sound & music & color were wonderful ways to show emotion.
Atlanta Member

The best movie of the season/year to date. Great screenplay, acting and filmmaking. Don't we all have to come to terms with experiences in the past, a continual process. An inspirational film!!!
Atlanta Member

Knowing a parent with an austistic adult, She is always concerned about his relationships (or lack). This is a film that would give her hope.
Atlanta Member

How lovely it is to be reminded what simple beauty there is in the world.
Atlanta Member

90% - Apr 19, 2015

Stunning film, beautifully produced. Not a boring or or poorly executed scene.
San Francisco Member

Best film this season. As a longtime school principal with lots of experience with bright Aspergers students, the film did a superb job portraying the spectrum of Aspergers personalities. Authentic acting, very nuanced screenplay. Loved the way Nathan solved the Olympiad of relationships with the help of his mother.
San Francisco Member

Isn't Sally Hawkins a treasure? Superb performances from the entire cast. Love how the film wove together past and present.
San Francisco Member

I thought this was a good representation of autism, though the emotion at the end was perhaps unrealistic. Thanks for a warm story of a different world.
San Francisco Member

97% - Apr 19, 2015

A wonderfully sensitive film. A powerful message representing the importance of emotional development over ‘intellectual’ development at a key time in a person’s full development.
Greater New Haven Member

The best of what a movie can be – made me think, feel, laugh, and cry. Who knew you could make an ‘on the spectrum’ romcom. GOOD WILL HUNTING combined with A BEAUTIFUL MIND, a dash of RAIN MAN, and LOST IN TRANSLATION thrown in for good measure. I loved this film!
Greater New Haven Member

Beautiful, touching movie. Magnificent in every way. Outstanding. Note: numerous comments along these lines.
Greater New Haven Member

Acting was superb! (Over 20 cards in which the acting, especially that of Asa Butterfield and Sally Hawkins, was singled out.)
Greater New Haven Member

First movie in a very long time that couldn’t have or shouldn’t have been one minute shorter.
Greater New Haven Member

Visually appealing and rich dive into the experience of someone in the spectrum. Well-rounded palette of characters to make a complete community. Loved the choices of buildings that supported the story. Better title would have been ‘Prime.' Not 100% sure I bought the ending, but the rest was so good I forgave it.
Greater New Haven Member

The world has made such progress learning to understand autism. I sincerely hope that this movie gains wide release. It should be shown in every high school classroom.
Greater New Haven Member

By far the best film of the series. Note: 7 other audience members said the same thing. One wrote, “This was a spectacular film – among the very best we’ve seen in Madison (or anywhere else).”
Greater New Haven Member

99% - Apr 19, 2015

Really well done, as it's not easy to put Autism and math on camera. I loved the unexpected ending - instead of winning the competition, he makes human connections.
Washington, DC Member

I have seen the Ugly Duckling story portrayed hundreds of times (Black Stallion, Karate Kid, etc.) but never with such originality and depth. There are so many things to praise, but as someone who shares the experiences in my own life, I can attest that the treatment of the impact on a boy who loses his father to a random death was sensitive, accurate and played to perfection. A GREAT film!
Washington, DC Member

The filming was so naturally rendered. Beautiful story of healing, love and the poetic patterns of math.
Washington, DC Member

A masterpiece - I cried and laughed equally!
Washington, DC Member

Amazing film and the acting was superb. It is definitely Oscar material - thank you for showing this!
Washington, DC Member

BOS

90% - Apr 19, 2015

A touching film about what it means to be human and the importance of human connection.
Boston Member

Excellent film, highlighting relationships, grief, disabilities, genius.
Boston Member

A wonderful, touching film. So worth a second viewing!
Boston Member

Interesting, thought provoking, beautifully documented.
Boston Member

Oh my, so wonderful! The mother trying the teacher with MS…so deep and human and complicated.
Boston Member

BOCA

Apr 12, 2015

Samuel Goldwyn Films