The "fish out of water" storyline is nothing new. In fact, some of the best movies ever follow this basic premise. "The Man Who Knew Infinity" doesn't deviate from this tried and true formula, but it does possess a few powerful moments worth noting. First, it makes math seem more accessible. Sure, most of what is talked about throughout the movie was over my head, but for the first time I saw math as an art. I could see its power in pictures instead of numbers. Secondly, it captures the delicate relationship between England and India at the turn of the 20th century. This isn't a story I know well, but viewing the tense relationship through this lens gave me a better grasp on the struggle for power that once existed between the two countries. Finally, it introduced me to a new form of racism. Growing up in the United States, we are accustomed to stories about racism directed toward African, Latin, and Asian Americans. For the first time, I got a sense of how the British treated the Indians. These scenes were gut-wrenching and reminded me that the work of racial equality is not realized.
Be good to each other,
-Nathan