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Maths movie doesn't add up
PROOF
Directed by John Madden
Certificate 15
GWYNETH Paltrow and Jake Gyllenhaal provide the perimeters
for this heady, overbaked drama of a brilliant mathematician
(Anthony Hopkins, playing Anthony Hopkins) whose final years
were clouded by mental illness. Or so it seems.
David Auburn’s 2001 Pulitzer Prize winning drama moves
from stage to screen and is directed by John Madden.
Paltrow plays Hopkins’ neurotic, troubled daughter who
may or may not be a maths genius herself. Into the frame waltzes
chirpy New Yorker sister, Hope Davis, (doing well in the unlikable
sibling role) who tries to help but who ends up complicating
matters far beyond necessity.
No one should see Proof if they aren’t a huge Paltrow fan
or if they haven’t seen the play. The rest of the story
seems indulgent, overheated and overwrought – which is
a shame as the play had a lot to say and said it well.
That said, Paltrow seems natural and forceful, taking over her
share of the screen and on-screen time with an ease that tells
of her playing the role on stage. She did, in fact, earn a Golden
Globe nomination for the role last year. Gyllenhaal, although
in a reduced role, is achingly lovely as the geeky maths boy
who sides for the nerds and tries his best to love Catherine
and help her through her obstacles, sister included.
Stephen Warbeck’s music, along with some nifty editing
from Mick Audsley makes several of the scenes more exciting
than thought possible. Overall, Proof is a very American drama,
with more inner than outer action yet a good dose of nimble
dialogue. |
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