Marguerite's Theorem

An interesting premise about mathematicians, solutions, experience, and autonomy with a strong lead performance from Ella Rumpf. Concepts about mathematicians and the solutions to solve them aren't something I am very familiar with but the idea of how it process is interesting. Filmmaker Anna Novion does a pretty good job on presenting the direction of the atmosphere, tone, and camerawork as there are some really interesting camera shots and presentations.

With good performances, Rumpf's performance as the main lead is pretty good as she presents an interesting, while at times, noisy, character study that is engaging to observe. Unfortunately, the fault of the movie lies on it's uneven narrative and themes approached. It's narrative explores some interesting concepts about errors and discovery but unfortunately, it lands onto some cliches that are boring and providing some side characters that have little development or engagement to connect with. Creating the movie to lose it's steam.

Nevertheless, for mathematician individuals, this movie will do good for the demographic.

It's a truth not quite universally acknowledged that films about hard intellectual or creative work, well, suck. I'm not sure if higher mathematics is particularly prone (all of Good Will Hunting except the Robin Williams bits; the -entirety- of A Beautiful Mind; everything but the facts of that Ramanujan film are at least as far removed as, say, Star Wars is and from astrophysics).

This, though, does not.

The central character is not a transcendent but flawed genius but hardworking and self-denying; the moments of inspiration (which are a real thing) look real and come through sheer effort, not effortless revelation with accompanying sound effects; and the scholarly politicking and casual STEM sexism are, well, true to life.

But - and this is probably burying the lede, sorry - it is also (1) splendid performances by all of the main cast; (2) a very thoughtful reflection on the connection between abstract thought and the human condition; and (3) an actually enjoyable film.

Everywhere you look it says this is a comedy I have a very broad definition of comedic but I cannot see for the life of Pete where in this extremely brilliant and original movie there is comedy

I really did not want to watch this because it is about mathematics and this when I was 10 years old and still now a word which makes my skin crawl and then eat itself

The first Half hour of this is certainly not comedy it is drama not cheerful

Then it shifts and becomes quite a different story quite a different film broadly it is about a very serious some would say anal retentive PhD student gifted with beyond what is usually construed as a Gift tripping herself up then running away then learning a lot more about life and then returning to the fold that is broadline the story here

The acting from the three top characters is excellent throughout especially the main actress here. I have personally never seen her in anything else but was struck by her presence and ability to get the viewer to really want to know what happens next

That is the definition of a great acting person you simply cannot tear yourself away from them and what they are doing on screen

The denouement at the end here is quite what one would expect but it takes nothing away from all the stages which came before

There are not many films made about high intelligence folks and their struggles most of the movie fare these days and always is really more to do with average folks and their shenanigans and is always very entertaining for all of us but here we have something unusual

There is a lot of mathematics written on blackboards a bit surprised quite frankly that they use chalk why not using some of the modern pens used in most countries I'm aware of in 2024 but hey

I have no idea how mathematicians who actually understand the formulae on the boards will react to this film but for a person for whom the multiplication tables are basically the apex of their mathematical prowess it was very impressive

Truly excellent film and truly unique highly recommended.

I saw this movie about a month ago and had a privet debate with myself weather I should review it. The problem I had was, that as a movie - there's nothing out of the ordinary with it. It's well done the acting is of the highest quality, especially the lead, Ella Rumpf and Jean Pierre Darroussin, who plays her professor. But that's about it. Not amazingly bad not amazingly good, just a well-done movie.

But that's not all there is to a movie. It had one point that for me made it all worth my while. It's a story about a brilliant mathematician that manages to really reach her potential only when she comes to accept her emotional relation to math. We're all used to hear how science must be rational and detached from any sort of emotion. In fact, the idea is repeated a few times in the movie itself. Thing is, Marguerite sees math as the thing that keeps her world together, and as such she's very emotional about it. Without accepting that fact she can't really reach her potential, no matter how brilliant she is. And I just loved the way the movie made this point. For that reason alone, I rated it as I did, and for that reason I think it's a movie worth seeing.

A very good, atmospheric, beautifull and - contrary to appearences - quite a simple film. About maturing, obsession, genius. And in the background pathological reelationship at the university and complicated relationship betwen people.

Some viewers may be put off by the amount of mathematics in the film. Don't worry, you don't have to be a mathematician to watch the film, although it's worth having some understanding, to at least have some idea of what the characters are taking about.

For people who are completely unmathematical, there is a very instructive scene of how easily opinion polls can be manipulated depending on the question asked (it's worth remembering when reading sensational polls in the press).

PS Beautifull soundtrack.