After it’s’not-so-good’ run with films last week, Hollywood gives something to cheer, a biopic - The Man Who Knew Infinity. The movie may not interest regular movie-goers as this is not a typical romantic or comedy kind of a film. It is somewhat serious in nature, however depicts well, the life of Ramanujan. No doubt he was the greatest mathematician, but the movie is also about his faith, passion and how he overcame some of the toughest battles of life.
The Slumdog Millionaire fame Dev Patel plays the young Ramanujan, who hails from a poor family in Madras. He also struggles initially as neither some people believed in his theories nor many people understood them. His wife though played a supportive role and always encouraged him.
He then travels to England and joins Trinity college where he meets Professor Hardy(played by Jeremy Irons). Initially, they don’t really get along well, but Hardy develops an instant liking for the boy and realizes his potential and appreciates his work. The movie is actually the relation between these two intelligent individuals, however it would not be enough to make a film just on this part and hence it has some parts of his personal life which includes his wife and mother back in India.
The movie is based on Robert Kanigel’s biography. It’s almost 100 years from now, since the great mathematician passed away(in 1920) but Kanigel has done a decent job in letting the world know about this great mathematician - Ramanujan.
Both Dev and Jeremy Irons have played the two gentlemen roles pretty well and direction, script is evenly balanced.
The movie, unlike Bollywood movies may lack songs with characters running around various scenic locations, it may not have the best of comedy nor glamour but it definitely is a movie which will make it’s mark - I would suggest give it a shot. (sad to see not many reviews here about this good film)