Examples of intellectual passion in movies

[Zulawski]

I'm thinking of writing an article about intellectual passion in movies. What are some good examples?

I'm thinking of eg. Astruc's Evariste Galois, where Evariste is really almost furious, but like, not about conquest or love or anything, but math

Any other great examples?

[wba]

There are a ton of films about artists and stuff. And you know, biographical stuff like A BEAUTIFUL MIND.
Thousands really.

Or you want some films that are excellent?

[Silga]

I like Proof (2005). Also about math, starring Anthony Hopkins.

[brian d]

reason, debate, and a story, where ghatak is really passionate (and drunk), not about conquest or love, but about socialism?

not sure if that's the intellectual angle you're going for or not, but it's a good movie...

[Zulawski]

reason, debate, and a story, where ghatak is really passionate (and drunk), not about conquest or love, but about socialism?

not sure if that's the intellectual angle you're going for or not, but it's a good movie...

Ah yes, I've been meaning to watch that for a while!

[Zulawski]

There are a ton of films about artists and stuff. And you know, biographical stuff like A BEAUTIFUL MIND.
Thousands really.

Or you want some films that are excellent?

Yeah, I guess I can explain myself a bit better. I'm more looking for intellectual "fury" than intellectual passion or interest, if that makes sense. Not sure A Beautiful Mind counts then.

I guess my idea is that a lot of scientists, artists, philosophers, mathematicians, etc. are often portrayed as somber, gentle, you know, caring about truth and such but not being furious about it – unless it's got to do with Marxism, Socialism and revolution

[Evelyn Library P.I.]

I haven't seen the movie, only clips, but based on the clips, I'd expect Jarman's Wittgenstein would qualify.

[wba]

There are a ton of films about artists and stuff. And you know, biographical stuff like A BEAUTIFUL MIND.
Thousands really.

Or you want some films that are excellent?

Yeah, I guess I can explain myself a bit better. I'm more looking for intellectual "fury" than intellectual passion or interest, if that makes sense. Not sure A Beautiful Mind counts then.

I guess my idea is that a lot of scientists, artists, philosophers, mathematicians, etc. are often portrayed as somber, gentle, you know, caring about truth and such but not being furious about it – unless it's got to do with Marxism, Socialism and revolution

I guess I get a bit more what you mean now, though the distinction between passion and fury is a bit difficult for me to grasp, perhaps?
You mean maybe extroverted scientists, artists, philosophers, etc. instead of introverted? Or the portrayal of them showing them to be extroverted instead of intorverted?
I mean people can be in the grip of total passion and fury about things and express that internally or subtly, or you can see it in their soul, read it in your face, but "normal" people wouldn't immediately recognize this from the outward. So I guess that's not what you want?

I'm sure many artists are portrayed as totally passionate in many films, not just somber and gentle.
A well-known example would be AMADEUS by Milos Forman (nothing somber and gentle about Mozart in that one!)
I'm sure some biopics on Beethoven would also qualify, pics on Van Gogh, etc.

I can certainly recommend you Ken Russells films on artists, e.g. GOTHIC (1985) or THE MUSIC LOVERS (1970).

[Zulawski]

You mean maybe extroverted scientists, artists, philosophers, etc. instead of introverted?

Could be, but not necessary. My best example, really, of the specific thing I'm after is the first half of Astruc's Evariste. Sure, there are tons of films about mad and maniacal scientists and artists, but often I think whatever energy is at display is about something material – getting recognized as a great painter, creating a working light-bulp before someone else does it. Perhaps that's why there are less portrayals of "maniacal mathematicians". My point is that often it seems like whenever a character is portrayed as being more concerned with thought, ideas, etc., than the material world, he/she is often portrayed as a dreamer, fragile, and often without much energy.

There are exceptions, of course, and that's what I'm after. I will definitely take a look of Russell. I've seen several of his, but it's been years.

[rischka]

ZANUSSI - i knew i knew one. i believe he first studied physics

the structure of crystal (1969)
illumination (1973)

also maybe longitude (2000) with jeremy irons and michael gambon? don't remember it too well but i loved it (nerd factor)

ahh it's a tv movie i must have seen it on pbs https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0192263/

[rischka]

Oh after I read y last comment I see longitude is entirely wrong. those kinds of pursuits are just more 'cinematic'

[rischka]

Sry

[Zulawski]

Haha, yes, Longitude is not what I'm after But Zanussi is interesting in this regard. He definitely has a fondness of intellectual characters, but also, it seems to me most of his characters are depressed I have yet to see "crystal", though.

[wba]

Haha, yes, Longitude is not what I'm after But Zanussi is interesting in this regard. He definitely has a fondness of intellectual characters, but also, it seems to me most of his characters are depressed I have yet to see "crystal", though.

Nah, Zanussi is exactly NOT what you're after.

[rischka]

ok i totally misunderstood the question

[Zulawski]

Admittedly, my question was a bit specific and maybe not entirely well-formulated

[...]

Without regard for quality of the movies and with a broad definition of "intellectual" you can find mainstream Hollywood uses passion as a sort of stand in for hidden value or veracity often when showing conspiracy theorists. It's their passion, you see, and their refusal to give in to the man that allows them to track down the hidden truth others ignore or that is being purposefully hidden from the rest or where an alleged genuine scientist stumbles on a secret the world isn't ready for. Thor, Godzilla vs Kong, Geostorm, Moonfall and on and on and on. Intellectual passion as a sort of stand in for physical battle among nerds, ending with the nerds proving victorious no matter how ridiculous the scenario. Artistic passion is another thing, Van Gogh films often have it, Camille Claudel does if I remember right, and so on, same sort of deal, the artist challenging staid norms with a new vision as a kind of battle, even musical biopics sometimes tend that direction in the early year scenes.

[DT.]

Jack Lemmon as an exasperated nuclear scientist in The China Syndrome might be a more extreme example of what you’re looking for…

[wba]

ok i totally misunderstood the question

Welcome to the club!