The Man Who Knew Infinity review: Jeremy Irons and Dev Patel team up in a mathematical focused movie with a lot of heart.
The Man Who Knew Infinity review
Remember having that immortal line in maths classes drilled into your head? “Don’t forget to show your working!” Well, this forms the basis for this delightful biopic of maths genius Srinivasa Ramanujan (Dev Patel). It’s something we hear time and time again as children and young adults, and at the time it can be hard to make sense of. Surely if you know and are confident in the answer, then what does it matter how you get there?
The Man Who Knew Infinity, despite having a title that doesn’t quite role off the tongue, is a fantastic endeavour, as it presents a man who would normally be ignored by the genre. Famous musicians or world leaders are easy and known by all, but screenplay writer and director Matt Brown certainly has his work cut out for him in somebody highly revered by a very specific section of society. The choice has to be made as to whether one would indulge in Ramanujan’s work, or his spirit. For this ill-educated in the ways of maths reviewer, I think they, arguably, made the better decision.
The Man Who Knew Infinity review
Ramanujan was an uneducated young man in India who had an inexplicable understanding of the world through maths. He comes up with equations that were thought impossible and although his background is against him he eventually grabs the attention of G.H. Hardy (Jeremy Irons), a professor at Cambridge. Ramanujan is shipped over and meets resistance from the majority of the educational elite, as well as finding it difficult to adapt to a strange culture where even vegetables are cooked in lard, making his vegetarian diet very difficult to stick to. The biggest conflict arises in Ramanujan’s inability to provide proofs or workings of how he reached his formulas, bringing his work into question.
The film never goes into too much detail regarding Ramanujan’s work, and instead just emphasises how important it is. This works for a mainstream audience, as even some of the vernacular and maths seen in the movie can start the mind boggling. Instead we focus on Ramanujan’s fiery spirit and confidence. He has great belief in his work, and more importantly has faith in his religion, saying that the equations are placed on his tongue by God. Patel’s performance plays well into this passion and also hits the required naivety to present us with a humanised genius who doesn’t quite understand everything. Meanwhile, Irons is the cold and calculated mentor who gradually learns more than just mathematical procedures from his young protégé. Irons is expectedly wonderful in the role, presenting frustration and awe towards Ramanujan.
The Man Who Knew Infinity review
Costume and production designers should feel free to take a bow, as their sets, props, and wardrobe capture the time without feeling the need to show off or suffocate the individuals on screen. With a funny and heartfelt script the pacing only truly falters when reflecting on Ramanujan’s marriage and relationship with his mother, both elements feeling like a grasp for a story that is too mainstream or aiming at those uncomfortably befuddled by the maths. It’s the dialogue between the cast that allows for a true connection, and with so much talking about such specific subjects it’s the witty back and forth that makes for exhilarating listening.
The story itself may be by the numbers, and certain moments have a TV drama type quality to them; it starts with narration as Irons looks out into the rain and thoughtfully takes off his glasses before reminiscing over the last few years. However, there’s such heart that this soon gives way to a purely cinematic effort. The ideas of religion, faith, intelligence, and friendship are all very well explored and combine to make a film that truly feels complete. I may not have understood all the maths, and I’m sure some liberties have been taken, but this does what a good biopic should do, and that’s to make the viewer want to learn more about the subject.
The Man Who Knew Infinity review by Luke Ryan Baldock, April 2016.
Currently screening in UK cinemas, The Man Who Knew Infinity will screen at the Regal Cinemas, Battery Park during the Tribeca Film Festival on 15 and 17 April 2016.
