The educational platform Mathema has curated a list of 10 films that explore the world of mathematics and its brilliant minds. These films provide a fresh perspective on this intricate science, highlighting its fascination, significance, and the lives of those deeply engaged with mathematics.
Stand and Deliver
Stand and Deliver is an American drama released in 1988, directed by Ramón Menéndez. The movie recounts the true story of Jaime Escalante, a math teacher in a Los Angeles school.
The film’s protagonist takes a job at a school where many students are immigrants living in poverty. He recognizes their potential to tackle complex subjects, such as mathematics. Determined to empower his students, Escalante commits to preparing them for a rigorous advanced mathematics exam.
The film illustrates the profound impact teachers can have on their students, even under challenging social circumstances. It emphasizes the importance of recognizing each student’s potential and how a teacher’s dedication can transform lives and help students transcend social limitations.
A Beautiful Mind
A Beautiful Mind, directed by Ron Howard and released in 2001, stars Russell Crowe as mathematician and Nobel laureate John Nash, who battled schizophrenia.
The film traces Nash’s journey from his days as a Princeton student to his groundbreaking work in theory. It primarily focuses on Nash’s personal struggles with schizophrenia, which affected both his personal and professional life.
A Beautiful Mind poignantly captures Nash’s battle with his condition, his relationships with family and colleagues, and his enduring contributions to mathematics. The film garnered multiple accolades, including an Oscar for Best Picture.
Proof
Proof, a drama released in 2005 and directed by John Madden, features Gwyneth Paltrow, Anthony Hopkins, and Jake Gyllenhaal in the lead roles. The story centers on Catherine, a gifted mathematician who looks after her schizophrenic father, Robert. She develops a significant mathematical theorem, but her work is questioned due to her father’s mental instability.
The film examines themes of family bonds, mental health, and exceptional mathematical talent, exploring the intricate dynamics among the characters and the interplay between genius and schizophrenia against a backdrop of family challenges.
21
Released in 2008, 21 is an American dramatic thriller that tells the story of a group of Massachusetts Institute of Technology students who use their math skills for card counting in Las Vegas casinos. The protagonist, Ben Campbell, joins a team led by his professor, Micky Rosa. Known for its tense atmosphere and compelling storyline, 21 also boasts a strong cast.
Travelling Salesman
Travelling Salesman is an independent sci-fi film that came out in 2012. The plot revolves around a group of mathematicians who receive a mysterious email with an incredibly complex mathematical problem. They attempt to solve it, uncovering results that could profoundly impact cryptography and computer science. However, their breakthrough prompts a series of unexpected ethical and moral considerations.
The Theory of Everything
The Theory of Everything is a biographical film from 2014 that explores the remarkable life of Stephen Hawking, his ventures into the mysteries of the cosmos, and the evolution of his relationship with his wife. It also portrays his battle with the debilitating disease ALS. The movie highlights key moments in Hawking’s life, showcasing both his groundbreaking scientific contributions and the personal challenges posed by his illness.
The Imitation Game
The Imitation Game revolves around Alan Turing, a brilliant mathematician and cryptanalyst, who was instrumental in breaking the German Enigma codes during World War II. The film immediately draws you in with its deep narrative and critical questions. Can the enigmatic enemy messages be decoded? And is Turing capable of cracking them?
The film probes the real cost of genius, emphasizing the personal and societal sacrifices that come with it. More than just a tale of code-breaking, The Imitation Game delves into the inner workings of the human mind and spirit.
X+Y
In X+Y, we meet Nathan, a young prodigy with exceptional mathematical talent who struggles with autism, making social interactions challenging. The film not only highlights his prowess in math but also his journey to find his place in society and form meaningful relationships.
This film transcends the typical narrative about numbers. It is a deep dive into personal conflicts, the quest for acceptance, and the struggle for identity, showing how mathematics can serve as a language for expressing emotions and understanding the world.
X+Y broadens our perspective on how mathematics can influence lives and lead to significant discoveries, not just in scientific laboratories, but also in our hearts. Let this film function as a catalyst for your emotions and thoughts on the relationship between numbers and life.
The Man Who Knew Infinity
The Man Who Knew Infinity is a cinematic portrayal of Srinivasa Ramanujan, one of the greatest mathematicians ever. The film beautifully conveys Ramanujan’s deep passion for mathematics and his quest to decode the universe’s secrets. We live his victories and setbacks, his collaboration with the esteemed mathematician G.H. Hardy, and his relentless pursuit of new mathematical insights.
Distinguished by superb acting and an innovative approach to presenting complex mathematical concepts, The Man Who Knew Infinity invites viewers on an enthralling journey into the depths of the numeric world, where each equation brings us closer to unraveling profound mysteries.
Hidden Figures
Hidden Figures transports us to the 1960s, the height of the space race between the US and the Soviet Union. What the film also uncovers is the pivotal yet overlooked contributions of three African American women mathematicians—Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson.
Overcoming the racial and gender barriers of their time, these women were indispensable to the success of the American space program. Katherine Johnson tackled complex calculations for space flight trajectories, while Dorothy Vaughan (played by Octavia Spencer) and Mary Jackson specialized in computer programming for satellites and rockets.
Hidden Figures is more than a movie about math—it is a tribute to the power of friendship, the recognition of talent, and the pursuit of justice. These mathematicians opened doors for future generations and shifted enduring stereotypes.
