DVD Review: Proof

By Jeff Swindoll Feb 14, 2006, 0:21 GMT

PROOF is the compelling story of an enigmatic young woman haunted by her father’s past and the shadow of her own future, exploring the links between genius and madness, the tender relationships between fathers and daughters and the nature of truth and family. On the eve of her twenty-seventh birthday, Catherine (Paltrow), a young woman who has spent years caring for her brilliant but unstable father, a mathematical genius named Robert ...more

“A very good sign that you’re crazy is the inability to ask the question, ‘Am I crazy?’”

In mathematics, a proof is a demonstration that, assuming certain axioms, some statement is necessarily true (www.wikipedia.org). Proof uses mathematics and talented performances from an Oscar winning cast as background to present a moving story about how to deal with family and the tragedy of mental illness.

First off I should mention that I have no great love for mathematics. Second, if you feel the same way then don’t be afraid to watch this movie. Proof is the story of a girl named Catherine (Gwyneth Paltrow) who puts her life on hold for five years to care for her schizophrenic father Robert (played by the ever capable Anthony Hopkins). Robert was a mathematical genius who by the time he was 22 revolutionized two fields of study in mathematics. Unfortunately, for the last five years of his life his genius was silenced by his schizophrenia. 

He thinks that aliens are communicating with him via the Dewey Decimal system. The plot concerns the finding of a mathematical proof that will possibly revolutionize the field of mathematics once again. Robert had one good year of sanity in the midst of his five years of schizophrenia, so is the proof his?

His daughter also claims authorship, but she has seemingly been acting strange lately and may have inherited his schizophrenia and may be imaging her authorship. In this quest for Proof, we’re joined by one of Robert’s former students (Jake Gyllenhaal) and Catherine’s controlling sister (Hope Davis), one who doubts her authorship and the other who doubts her sanity.

Don’t let the fear or dislike of all things mathematical keep you from watching this movie. My first reaction was also one of mathematical hatred but by the time the movie was over those fears had no merit. There are a few mathematician jokes, but they’re explained in the movie.

Proof is directed by John Madden (Shakespeare in Love) and is from a Pulitzer Prize winning play that he directed in London. Paltrow starred in the play and gives a great performance in the movie. Hopkins, in a somewhat glorified cameo, has the presence that makes you forget that it is a short role.

I enjoyed the romance between Gyllenhaal and Paltrow (must resist Brokeback Mountain jokes….must resist). I really didn’t like Hope Davis’ controlling sister character, but guess what I’m not supposed too and you side with Catherine in her frustration at her sister’s behavior. Fine casting and performances all around. 

Proof is presented in widescreen (2.35:1) and is enhanced for 16x9 televisions. Extras include a director’s commentary by John Madden. Roughly 7 minutes of deleted scenes that also feature a director’s commentary. There is also a 9-minute “making of” featurette that has interviews with Madden, Paltrow, Gyllenhaal, Davis, Hopkins, and producers Alison Owen and Jeff Sharp.

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie, even with my numerical ineptitude. I think that the subject could’ve easily been changed to literature, etc. and the result would still be an excellent film. The field is not really the point, but the point of how we deal with our family is really what the movie/play is about. I highly recommend that you give Proof a try. Also, never drink with theoretical physicists.

Proof is available at Amazon. As of yet, there is not a release date for the UK. Visit the DVD’s database for more information.