Rent Proof (2005)
3.2 of 5 from 109 ratings
1h 36min
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
- Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning play and directed by John Madden, Proof stars Anthony Hopkins and Gwyneth Paltrow in a powerful story of a young woman haunted by her father's past and the shadow of her own future. Catherine (Paltrow) has devoted years to caring for her brilliant but unstable father Robert (Hopkins), a mathematical genius. But when his genius slips away, he leaves behind a mystery. While coming to terms with the possibility that she has inherited his genius - and insanity - Catherine must also deal with the arrival of her estranged sister (Hope Davis) and the attentions of Robert's former student (Jake Gyllenhaal).
- Actors:
- Gwyneth Paltrow, Anthony Hopkins, Hope Davis, Jake Gyllenhaal, Danny McCarthy, Tobiasz Daszkiewicz, Gary Houston, Anne Wittman, Leigh Zimmerman, Colin Stinton, Leland Burnett, John Keefe, Chipo Chung, C. Gerod Harris, Roshan Seth, Lolly Susi, Benjamin S. Carroll, Daniel Hatkoff, Selena Mars, Christian Rose
- Directors:
- John Madden
- Writers:
- David Auburn
- Studio:
- Miramax
- Genres:
- Drama
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Reviews (2) of Proof
Good performances and interesting storyline - Proof review by CP Customer
Gwenneth Paltrow plays the daughter of a famous mathematical genius who may, or may not, have written the proof that a certain mathematical theory exists. Sound boring? Not at all! The great performance by Paltrow as a woman lacking confidence in her own potential, and who may be just a little bit nuts, really makes the film. Gyllenhaal plays a sincere and noble love interest who helps her to realise her potential. Davis is believable as the dominating, controlling sister who breezes in telling Paltrow what to do, but is really just jealous of her brilliant sister. If you enjoy films like Good Will Hunting, you will probably enjoy this too.
4 out of 6 members found this review helpful.
great acting couldn't quite make up for plot/character weaknesses - Proof review by CP Customer
So this was an enjoyable and well acted film. Hopkins' acting seemed a little stilted in a way which wasn't fully accounted for by the kind of wooden quirkiness which sometimes marks insanity in both films and real life. Yet the film managed to approach the topic of mathematical genius with script which was neither unintelligible nor providing a total cliche of inspirational innovation. What it lacked, however, (and I've no idea if this was inherited from the play), was a true depth and inter-penetration of the key themes of: self-doubt, trust, inspiration, insanity, solitariness, relatedness, care and control. This meant that the characters needed a little more work, background, context, to make their emotional reactions and interactions more compelling, believable and revealing.
2 out of 2 members found this review helpful.