Today’s Prayer Focus
Copyright, Samuel Goldwyn Films

A Brilliant Young Mind

also known as “XY,” “X+Y,” “X Plus Y,” “Le monde de Nathan,” “Mästerskapet,” “XY - Egy ragyogó fiatal elme”
Moral Rating: not reviewed
Moviemaking Quality:
Primary Audience: Adults Teens
Genre: Comedy Drama
Length: 1 hr. 51 min.
Year of Release: 2014
USA Release: September 11, 2015
Copyright, Samuel Goldwyn Filmsclick photos to ENLARGE Copyright, Samuel Goldwyn Films Copyright, Samuel Goldwyn Films Copyright, Samuel Goldwyn Films Copyright, Samuel Goldwyn Films Copyright, Samuel Goldwyn Films Copyright, Samuel Goldwyn Films Copyright, Samuel Goldwyn Films Copyright, Samuel Goldwyn Films Copyright, Samuel Goldwyn Films
Relevant Issues

autism

inability to understand love or affection

pushing away those who love and help you

mathematics

International Mathematical Olympiad

role of teachers and parents

multiple sclerosis

coming of age

Teen Qs—Christian Answers® for teenagers
Teens—Have questions? Find answers in our popular TeenQs section. Get answers to your questions about life, dating and much more.
Featuring Asa Butterfield … Nathan Ellis
Rafe Spall … Martin Humphreys
Sally Hawkins … Julie Ellis
Eddie Marsan … Richard
Jo Yang … Zhang Mei
Martin McCann … Michael Ellis
Jake Davies … Luke Shelton
Alex Lawther … Isaac Cooper
Alexa Davies … Rebecca Dunn
See all »
Director Morgan Matthews
Producer Origin Pictures
Minnow Films
See all »
Distributor
Distributor: The Samuel Goldwyn Company. Trademark logo.
The Samuel Goldwyn Company

“True genius comes from opening your heart”

Here’s what the distributor says about their film: “Preferring to hide in the safety of his own private world, Nathan (Asa Butterfield) struggles to connect with people, often pushing away those who want to be closest to him, including his mother Julie (Sally Hawkins). Without the ability to understand love or affection, Nathan finds the comfort and security he needs in numbers and mathematics.

Mentored by his unconventional and anarchic teacher, Mr. Humphreys (Rafe Spall), it becomes clear that Nathan’s talents are enough to win him a place on the British team competing at the highly revered International Mathematics Olympiad. Being part of a team and one which has a real chance of winning seems like it could change Nathan’s life forever.

But when the team goes to train in Taiwan, Nathan is faced with a multitude of unexpected challenges, not least the new and unfamiliar feelings he begins to experience for one of the Chinese competitors, the beautiful Zhang Mei (Jo Yang).”

Volunteer reviewer needed for this movie

See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.


Viewer CommentsSend your comments
Movie Critics
…life-affirming a brilliant Young Mind boasts riches aplenty… gentle script, powerful direction, and intimate cinematography evoke moments of both laughter and tears…
Debbie Holloway, Crosswalk
…autism. More than most films that address that condition, this one shows the amount of patience, understanding and commitment required from caring parents and friends who deal with someone who, however gifted, may appear selfish and unfeeling. …
Stephen Holden, The New York Times
…“A Brilliant Young Mind” is not the film you think it is. It’s better. …What transpires when mathematics and personalities mix and the burdens of being different are among the dramas that ‘A Brilliant Young Mind’ gracefully unfolds.
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times
…Star Sally Hawkins gives a performance of remarkable grace and sensitivity…
Peter Rainer, The Christian Science Monitor
…based on a cliché-clotted script… Of the many things that make “A Brilliant Young Mind” unsatisfying, arguably the most salient is that the assertion of its title defies dramatization. …
Godfrey Cheshire, RogerEbert.com
…If it weren’t for the considerable talent of its principal actors, there would be nothing noteworthy about this film. Unfortunately, even they can only occasionally breathe life into this pastiche of tired tropes. …the success here is mostly due to nuanced performances and an appreciation for what these kinds of films require…
Elise Nakhnikian, Slant magazine
…Great acting, decent film… [3/5]
Joe Neumaier, New York Daily News
…Familiar formula yet Morgan Matthews’ feature debut adds up to a satisfying whole…
Will Lawrence, Empire [UK]
…somewhat weak character development but satisfying plot…
“Film ‘A Brilliant Young Mind’ focuses on teen with autism,” Autism Speaks

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