A Beautiful Mind, the intensely human drama of a true genius, is inspired by events in the life of mathematician John Forbes Nash, Jr. The handsome and highly eccentric Nash (played in the film by Russell Crowe) made an astonishing discovery early in life and stood on the brink of international acclaim. But his white-hot ascent into the intellectual stratosphere drastically changed course when Nash’s intuitive brilliance was undermined by schizophrenia. Facing challenges that have destroyed many others, Nash fought back, with the help of his devoted wife Alicia (Jennifer Connelly).

A Beautiful Mind began its way to the screen when producer Brian Grazer read a Vanity Fair article about Nash. Grazer was fascinated by writer Sylvia Nasar's true story of the mathematical genius who won international acclaim, then lost it all to mental illness. What made the story truly exceptional was the fact that Nash eventually recovered enough to return to work and later win the Nobel Prize.

Although many directors wanted the project, Grazer and his producing partner Ron Howard quickly found that they were in complete harmony on how to best approach the adaptation.  "Ron has succeeded at the challenges of every genre," said Grazer, “and has demonstrated particular strength in creating three-dimensional characters, which is critically important with this film.”

Howard’s insight and sensitivity to the characters would lead the film to being honored with eight Academy Award nominations, of which the film won for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay for Akiva Goldsman and Best Supporting Actress for Connelly.