SCREENPLAY AND INTRODUCTION BY
AKIVA GOLDSMAN
NEWMARKET PRESS + NEW YORKPor my two mothers, Miza Rothenberg and Elizabeth Lee.
‘Thank you for maldng life so beautifel. —A.G.
MAG
AN
BY AKIVA GOLDSMAN
yas hacky enough to read Syivia Nasars riliant biography, A Beautif.
stantly mesmerized by John Nash—his geniu
struggle with mencal dines, and his tciumaph.
‘My interest im the more shadowry corners of the human mind dates
to before I could write—before I could tlk, actually. You see, one of the
first group homes for emotionally disturbed children (to use the jarg
the day) was in my house. My pareas founded it.
‘My mother, a gifted child prychologist named Mira Rothenberg, is
writer, When she wites of those early days in Brooklyn, someone is 2
bouncing the baby against the wall or hanging the baby out the wind
‘was the baby.
‘Many of the chilézen I Lived with gaosed with childhood s
ophrenia. They were labeled as mad, described as being without reas
amno expert on mena lines, but ‘of one thing: the children,
shared my home were not without reason, Their behsvior made sex
them. They had reasons for everything they did, Wo just couldn't under
their seasons.
So, the idea of writing a sercenplay about John’s life and the way ht
the world was tremendously exciting #0 me.
Producer Brion Grazer had also read the book, and Univenal Bic
(Chairman Stacy Snider had already bought it for Brian’ company, Im
Entertainment. Besides having produced some of the most popwlar m
of all tme, Brian is aso known in the film industxy as someone who
Tongtime fcination with genius
Tasked my agents at Creative Artists Agency for a meeting with B
During our meeting, I begged him to hire me—honest, I begged. Bev
‘even though [ loved this biography, I didn't envision a typical biopic fo
story of John Nasa.‘What intrigued me was a movie inspired by the life of John Nash. A movie
built on the natural architecture of his story—Genius, Madness, Nobel Prize,
But I also wanted to take some literary license. I wanted to devise 2 screen~
play that evoked the experience of John’ journey without attempting a literal
depiction of his life. I wanted to take a run at the spirit of Jobo’s life, but
not just by way of the facts.
Amazingly, Brian didn’t throw me out of his office. Instead we got talking
about how John’ story had moved and inspired him, We got excited, moved
our hands a lot when we talked, and scribbled little diagrammatic doodles on
paper with labels like “Madness.” “Genius,” and, oddly, “Beer.” And by the
end he'd actually hired me to write the screenplay you have in your hand.
I spent several days throwing ideas around with the brilliant Karen Kehela
who is Co-Chairman of Imagine Films. Then I drove over to Brian's house
early one mozning (good house, big). I pitched the story to Brian over cof
fee, Brian cried (good reaction, big).
TL skip the writing part, except to say, I used about a million packs of
cigarettes, a thousand pots of coffee, several hundred cans of tuna eaten
over the sink, and my whole heart.
‘Then Ron Howard sparked to my first draft and signed on to direct. You
know Ron Howard—the man behind Apollo 13, Splash, Cocoon, Ransom, and
Parenthood. So talented with story and gifted with performance that he
stands out as one of our greatest filmmakers. That rarest kind of director,
relentlessly thorough and stardingly brave. Let me tell you the part you
don’t know.
Ron Howard is one of my favorite people. What you see is what you
get. Turns out he is one of the great guys on the planet. If you have written
something you love and you want to give it to someone who will take care
of it and make it better than it ever was, give it to Ron Howard.
‘Next Russell Crowe signed on to play John Nash. Now, Russell Crowe is
a genius—an actual one. He not only inhabited the character of John Nash,
he re-invented him. With only flesh and emotion as conjuring tools,
Russell transformed himself into another being. There ate no words to
describe watching Russell work. It's watching the most impossible magic show
and knowing there aze no strings or mirrors, Ir's watching the teal thing,
One of Ron's many notable gifts as a director is his affinity for attracting
great actors for his films. The supporting cast for A Beautifid Mind still
amazes me: Christopher Plaramer, Ed Harris, the extraordinary Paul Bettany,
and the sublime Jenaifer Connelly. How could it get any better?If you like the screenplay of A Bea that's a testament to John
and Alicia Nash and how much they inspired all of us.
If it’s dedicated to anyone, it’s dedicated to anyone anywhere who has
ever been told they are insane—told they are without reason—and known,
better.Tmagine Entertainment's A Beautiful Mind is a Universal Pictures and
‘DreamWorks Picnures co-production. Directed by Roa Howard, produced
‘by Brian Grazer and.written by Akiva Goldsman, the fm stars Oscos® win~
ner Russell Crowe (Gladiator, Oseax® nominee Ed Harris (Polack, Apollo
13), and Jennifer Conn rion ForA Dream). The cast also includes
(The a
‘The production team inchades director of photography Roger Deakins
(Creat? nominated for O Brother hare Art Thu, prodocion cesgnes Wynn
‘Thomas (Analyze Thi), editors Dan Hanley and Mike Hill, winners of the
‘Editing for their wozk on Ron Howard and
costume designer Ria Ryack (Oscay™-nominated
for Dr Seus’ Hi the Grin Stole Christma), and composer James Home
fan Osea! winner for Titan). The film's executive producers are Karen
ehela (Nitty Profesor IThe Kbamps) and Toda Hallowell (The Grn)
“MIND
fate ee ee
inspired by the life of John Forbes Nash
ang
the biography by Sylvia Nasar
Final shooting sexi)
dune 25, 201FADE IN ON:
A STAINED GLASS WINDOW-CLOSE. Sunlight illuminates a complex
pattern of symbols and lines. PULL BACK TO REVEAL...
ext.
PRINCEION UNIVERSTTY~PRESIDENT'S RECEPTION-1947
Students in formal dress mill. Mm uncommonly handsome man stands
at the har, gazing up at the window geometry. This is JOHN NASH.
Nash glances down. The light refracting through his glass draws
shifting angles of rainbow on the bar before him
AINSLEY (OVER)
Hansen's gonna get the brass ring if it
kills him.
‘Two more students approach the bar. BENDER is wiry, like a
scazecrov made of skin. AINSLEY is older, sporting the world’s
worst tie.
BENDER
He's used to pretty metal
(taps his teeth)
Silver spoon!
Nash spots the ubject of their musings, A dapper student vith
fiercely intelligent eyes is pumping hands. MARTIN HANSEN.
AINSLEY
It's not enough he von the Carnegie
scholarship.
BENDER
He has to have it all for himself.
Hansen and Bender approach the punch bowl.
BENDER (CONT'D)
Firgt time the Carnegie prize has been
split. Now, Hansen's all bent.
Nash’s gaze drifts back up to the Stained glass window. The
lines on the window emezge, a geometric formation floating in
mid air.
| INSLEY (OVER)
He's got his sights set on Wheeler Lab,
that now military think tank at MIT)
Nash's gaze carries the floating geometry across the crowd to
find the rainbows on the bar top. New lines rise, join the
pattern.
(cowrrnuEp)CONTINUED:
BENDER (OVER)
hey’ xe only taking one this year. Best
brain in the class.
AINSLEY (OVER)
flansen's used to being picked Hirst.
The new complex pattern rises, rotates slightly and is sucked
Thto the fractured pattern on Ainsley’s tie. A perfect match.
Nasi
(smiling)
you know, there’s a mathematical
explanation for how horrible your tie is.
ATUSLRY
Nice. I'm Ainsley. Symbol Cryptography.
BENDER
ins here broke a Jap code. fielped rid the
World of Fascism. Least that's vhat he
Yells the girls. ‘The name's Bender, Atomic
physics. and you are...
gust then a third FELLOW xuns up, breathless. RICHARD SOL.
SOL
Am T late?
Ainsley and Bender exchange a look. He's alvays late. i
AINSLEY & BENDER
Yes.
sol
(to Nash)
Hi, I'm Sol.
Hansen separates from the crowd to join his friends.
HANSEN
ah the burden of genius. So many
supplicants, so little time.
Hansen's eyes Light on Nash, The beat of recognition is so
Blight it's almost imperceptible, He emiles, raises his glass.
HANSEN (CONT'D)
112 take another.
WASH |
Excuse me. i
(cowrrndep)CONTINUED:
HANSEN
‘A thollsand pardons. I simply assumed you
vere the waiter.
SOL
Play nice, Hansen,
INSLEY
Nice is not Hansen's strong suit.
HANSEN
an honest mistake. What with those var
ration shoes...
Nash's outfit, though stylishly formal, does look a bit dusty
compared to Hansen's elegant bohemia.
HANSEN (CONT'D)
‘That couture.
Hansen reaches forvard, adjusts Nash's lapel. Wot €tiendly. A
Jong beat, Then Nash smiles.
nasa
Well Wartin, it is Martin, isn’t it?
HANSEN
way yes, John.
mas |
1 imagine that by now you are indeed used
to miscalculation. You seo, 1 have read
your pre-prints on both Neai ciphers and
Non-linear oquations and I am supremely
confident that there is nota seminal or
{nnovative idea in either one of them. I
do hope to ace yout around
With that, Nash offers a slight ned, walks off.
SOL
Who was that masked man?
HANSEN
Gentlemen meet John Nash. The mysterious
West Virginia genius. Tho other winner of
the distinguished Carnegie scholarship.
OFF Nash as he goes, stress like a mask on his face,
vorce (ovER)
Mathematicians won the war...INT, -PRINCETON-FACULTY LOUNGE~AFTERNOON
smmense, Oak panels. A silver haixed professor, JOHN HELTNGER,
stands on @ podiun, delivering the matricolation speech.
i HELINGER
Mathematicians broke the Japanese codes and
buile the A-bosb,
PULL BACK OVER the crowd of students peering up at him.
HELINGER (CONT'D) :
Mathematicians like you. But the flame of
peace burns all too briefly. The Russians
stated goal is global communism. In
medicine or econcmics, technology or space,
battle lines are being draun. we stand on
the edge of reason, gentlemen. On the
frontier of human pursuit. To triumph we
need results, Fublishable. Applicable.
Results.
HANSEN-CLOSE. Where he stands in the crowd.
HEDINGER (OVER) (CONT'D)
Who among you will be the next Morse? The
next Binstein?
UASH-CLOSE. where he stands across, the room
HELINGER (OVER) (CONT'D)
Who among you will be the vanguard of
democracy and freedom?
Helinger stares out at the sea of faces, his eyes burning,
It HELINGER (CONT'D)
Today we bequeath America’s future into
your able hands. Welcome to Princeton.
EXT. PRINCETON-BLAIR STEPS-SUNSET-SHRIES OF SHOTS
(oveR) A MoTET plays. Nash descends steps to the commons. His
shadow seems to lag behind, out of step. Tall buildings loom.
EXT,-PRINCETON CAMPUS-SUNSET-SERIES OF SHOTS
Nash walke campus paths, head down, past students tossing
footballs, smoking against trees. His expression tight, anxious.EXT. ~PRINCETON-DORM-SUNSET
‘The sun is low in the sky. Wash walks into the tall dormitory.
(OVER) ‘The MOTET VOICES continue, longing.
INT. ~DORM ROON-SUNSET
Nash is dragging his desk across the room. Positions it by the
window, He stares out at the sun-drenched field. Bravado gone:
Alone.
‘The door swings open behind him. Unruly hair and a tuxedo that
looks slept in whirl into the rocm. Meet CHARLES HERMAN, bags in
hand. 7
CHARLES
‘he prodigal roommate arrives.
Charles turns dovn the MOPEY, begins stripping as he speaks.
Nash stares in confusion as Off come his jacket and how-tie.
NASH
Roommate?
CHARLES
Did you know that a hangover is not having
enough water in your body to run your Krebs
cycle? i
Charles pulls off his pants, and hopping, both shoes.
CHARDAS (CowT"D)
Which is exactly what happens when you die
of thirst.
Now finally his shirt, which he throws on the couch.
CHARLES (CoNz'D)
So dying of thirst would feel like the
hangover that finally kills you.
He grabs a tovel and heads for the door.
CHARLES (CORS*D)
Nash, right? Happy to meet you.
NASH-CLOSE. Speechless.IP.-NASH'S DORN. ROOM-SUNSET
1h TOUCH FOOTBALL GANE-CLOSE. A HAND moves. into PRN
A cert p che players with wax symbols. The game begins:
WSDER. «
nash has moved his desk in front of the windows, 9365 Nowy
Nash bas the players positions with symbols on the Pane:
CHARLES
officially almost human again,
charles has ENTBRED from the hall, hair wet, tovel around his
neck. :
Harts (CONT*D)
officer, I saw the driver who hit me. His
name was Johnny Walker.
Hash continues to bear down on his work:
CHARLES (CONT'D)
1 arrived last night. Right in time: for
Engligh Department cocktails. ‘The cock was
wage tthe tail belonged to a lovely young
thing with a passion for DH, Lawrence.
hash nods, still doesn't look up from his work.
cRAREES (CONT'D)
You're not easily distracted, are you?
NASH
Tam here to work.
CHARLES,
1 sea.
charles spota a bowl of cookies on Nash's desk. Nash covers the
Charles ope Charles can grab one, never once looking uP»
‘ghat's when Charles actually ¢linbs up on Nash's desk sitting
pight in front of him.
CHARLES (CONT'D)
Ts my roommate a dick?
charles reaches into his pocket and polls out something:
setter flask. Haves it in Nash's face.
CHAREES (CONP"D)
if we can't break the ice, how about ve
drown it?
)
|EXT. DORN ROOFTOP-SUNSET
Charles and Wash stand under the crimson sky, passing the flask.
} CARRLES \
5 $0, how's it go? You the poor kid who
didn’t go to Bxeter or Andover?
WASH
! Despite my privileged upbringing, I am
7 actually quite balanced. I have a chip on
both shoulders,
CHARLES
Maybe you're just better with the old
integers than with people? |
NASH
My first-grade teacher once said I got |
two helpings of brain and half a helping
of heart.
CHARLES
Note: send teacher a little Freud, Needs
to brush up.
Nash LAUGHS. Takes a long quig.
NASH
The fact is, T don't like people much.
j And they don’t mich ike me.
CHARLES
What, with all your wit and chazm?
Hash smiles, looks out at the sun stained campus.
CHARLES (cont'D)
Maths von’t lead us to a higher truth,
i John... They’re just boring.
Wash stares at him a beat. Then he smiles.
I
i asa
\ Do you know there ace equations that can
predict the rotation ef galanies as
Surely a3 the ebb and flow of human
} Blood. there i9 a crystalline
li architecture to the universe we can only |
| GLinpse. Thatta the only truth, the math '
f
i
of things, the math of everything, the
secrets implied by the vorid in whispers.
i
|
(commen) |
icowrrnveD:
CHARLES
We axe going to need more booze.
A couple of fellows race past, LAUGHING, tossing a football.
NASH
Half of these school boys axe already
published, T cannot waste time with these
classes, these books, menorizing the
weaker assumptions of lesser mortals. I
need to look through, to the governing
dynamics, find a truly original idea. Tt
is the only way 1 will distinguish
myself. Te is the only way I will...
CHARIS
Matter.
Wash glances over to Charles, startled.
Nasi
Yes.
PROFESSOR (OVER) :
Ne study gaues to study hunan behavior sn
strategic conflict...
EX. -FIME, HAL,-EADL-DAY-ESTABLISHING
The first hints of fall. Sol hurries intd the building, Late.
PROFESSOR (OVER) j
Put simply, the study of games !is the
study of war...
NP, -PINE HADI-CTASSROON-DAY
PROFESSOR HORNER stands lecturing Bender, Hansen, Ainsley,
and several others. Sol pushes inside, late.
HORNER
Thank you for stopping by Mr. Sol
He glances at one empty chair. Then at his roster.
HORNER (CoWr'D)
Unere the hel) is...Nash?
Hansen looks out the window. POLLOW Hansen's gaze into...EXT. -PRINCRTON-EAST PINE QUAD-DAY-CONPINUOUS
HANSEN (OVER)
He's looking for his original idea
Nash is on his bicycle riding around the courtyard in Figure
eights, eyes half-closed, students scattering as he goes.
BX’, -PRINCETON-CANNON GREEN-DAY
Students sit over game boards set on henches. FIND one small
group of familiar players.
HANSEN (OVER)
Cowards, all of you. Will none rise to mect.
my challenge?
Hansen stands over a GO board facing Bender, Ainsley and several
others. RAPS the board with his knuckles.
HANSEN (CONT'D)
Come on, Bender, whoever wins, Sol does his
laundry’ ald semester.
son
Does this seem unfair to anyone else?
Others just shake their heads,, GRUNT no's. Nash walks backwards
past them. 1
AINSLRY |
Hey Nash, taking a reverse
constitutional?
Nash looks up, apparently startled by their presence.
NASH (OVER)
I hope to extract an algorithm to define
their movements
All follow Nash's gaze. A group of pigeons dance back and
forth, devouring a pile of breaderunbs.
BENDER,
(mouthing)
Psy-cho.
son
Nan, I thought you dropped out. You ever
gonna go to class?
(cowrrnuED)conrrivep:
NASH
Classes dull the mind and destroy authentic
creativity.
HANSEN
John's going to stun us all with his
genius,
Hanaen flips a GO stone in the air, catches it in a fist.
HANSEN (cONT*D)
Which is another way of saying he doesn't.
have the nerve to compete
Hansen RAPS the game table with his knuckles.
PANSEN (CONT'D)
Scared?
A beat. Then Nash smiles. Looks at Sol.
NASH
No starch. Pressed and folded.
EXT, ~PRINCETON-CANNON GREEN-DAY-NINUTES LATER
Wash faces Hansen across the GO! board. the play is incredibly
fast, Nash is intense, almost preternaturally avare.
EANSEN
Let me ask you something, John,
NASH
Be my guest, Naxtin.
Hansen
Bender and Sol correctly completed Allen’ s
proof of Peyrot’s conjecture.
nasi
Adequate vork without innovation.
son
I'm flattered, Are you flattered?
BENDER
Flattered.
HANSEN
I've got two weapons briefs under security
review by the DOD,
(conrmunp)MASH
Derivative drivel.
HANSEN
But Nash achievenents: zero.
| Nasi
I’m a patient man, Martin. Is there an
actual question coming?
|
HANSEN
What if you never come up with your
original idea? How will it feel when I'm
' chosen for Wheeler and you're not?
Hansen makes a deft move, and strips Nash's stones.
HANSEN (CONT'D)
what if you Lose?
Nash sits there, stunned
NASH
You should not have von. I had the first
move, My play vas perfect. The game is
flawed.
HANSEN
An, the hubris of the defeated.
RASH
The game is flawed.
Nash stands, frustrated, inadvertently epilling the board. He
walks off flustered. Hansen smiles, shakes his head.
hawseN
Gentlemen, the great gohn Nash.
DISSOLVE TO:
BXT.-PRINCETON EAS? PINE QUAD-SUNSET
Nash stares down at a GO board laying at his feet, his face
lined with deep frustration
WASH-POV. Different sections of the board go dark, patterns of
squares rising and falling, with ever increasing speed.
PULL BACK AND UP.