The Vernon Film Society’s next presentation, A Brilliant Young Mind (originally called X+Y) is inspired by the real-life subjects of director Morgan Matthews British documentary Beautiful Young Minds.
It concerns teenage math prodigy Nathan (Asa Butterfield of Hugo and The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas), who was diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum when he was a little boy. He had always struggled to relate to people, even to his ever-loving mother Julie (Sally Hawkins of Blue Jasmine and Made in Dagenham).
Numbers (especially prime ones) are the only things that make sense to Nathan but when attentive teacher Mr. Humphreys (Rafe Spall) takes an interest in his talents, doors begin to open.
The teacher’s unorthodox teaching methods help Nathan land a spot on Great Britain’s team at the International Mathematics Olympiad in Taipei, where, under the blustery guidance of squad leader Richard (Eddie Marsan), Nathan and his fellow socially awkward math-letes discover they may not be as weird as they thought themselves to be.
Director Matthews allows his story to build organically to its poignant conclusion. Butterfield is a wonder as Nathan, and the always superb Hawkins is a force of nature as Julie.
Warm, sensitive and compelling, the movie is more than about connecting numbers – its about connecting hearts.
“The movie is rather charming, often funny, occasionally surprising and consistently heart-warming,” wrote Mark Kermode in The Observer.
A Brilliant Young Mind is the finale to the VFS’ spring season. Programs will soon be available announcing the three movies to be shown during the summer. They can also be viewed on the VFS website at vernonfilmsociety.bc.ca.
A Beautiful Young Mind screens Monday, June 8 at 5:15 and 7:45 p.m. at the Vernon Towne Cinema. Tickets ($7 cash only) are available at the Towne box office and the Bean Scene.
