Netflix's period drama 'The Man Who Knew Infinity' is captivating global audiences, with many describing the experience as 'almost spiritual.' The biographical film about Indian mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan has drawn comparisons to classics like 'Chariots of Fire,' 'A Beautiful Mind,' 'Oppenheimer,' and 'Good Will Hunting.'
Film's Story and Cast
Written and directed by Matthew Brown, the film is based on Robert Kanigel's 1991 book. It follows Ramanujan from humble beginnings to a place at Cambridge University during World War I, where he meets mentor GH Hardy. The cast includes Dev Patel as Ramanujan, Jeremy Irons as Hardy, and supporting actors Devika Bhise, Toby Jones, Stephen Fry, and others.
Critical and Audience Response
One critic wrote: 'There is something almost spiritual about this film that makes it more than just a maths biopic.' Another said: 'The Man Who Knew Infinity is a delightful film of a breed that we so rarely see.' A Rotten Tomatoes user noted: 'Similar vein to other academic favorites like A Beautiful Mind, Oppenheimer and Good Will Hunting.' An IMDB review called it 'so beautifully directed, enthralling from the very first cut.'
The film was shot at Trinity College, Cambridge in 2014 after eight years in development. It was first released in cinemas in April 2016 and is now streaming on Netflix.
