A period drama film about Indian mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan is captivating audiences on Netflix. Viewers describe the experience of watching it as 'almost spiritual' and are surprised at how good it is.
Film details and cast
Written and directed by Matthew Brown, The Man Who Knew Infinity is based on Robert Kanigel's 1991 book. Released in theatres in April 2016, it is now streaming on Netflix. The film stars Dev Patel as Ramanujan and Jeremy Irons as his mentor G.H. Hardy. The supporting cast includes Devika Bhise, Toby Jones, Stephen Fry, Jeremy Northam, Kevin McNally, Enzo Cilenti, Arundhati Nag, and Dhritiman Chatterjee. Filmed at Trinity College, Cambridge, in 2014, the project took eight years to develop.
Plot and reception
The story follows Ramanujan, who rose from poverty to gain admittance to Cambridge University during World War I. There he meets Hardy, and they form a strong bond. The official plot summary states: 'The story of the life and academic career of the pioneer Indian mathematician, Srinivasa Ramanujan, and his friendship with his mentor, Professor G.H. Hardy.'
Critics have praised the film. One 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. I hope it finds an audience.' A third critic noted: 'There is not a dull moment, not a single false step in this picture. The Man Who Knew Infinity is a powerful story that will stand on its own merit.'
Audience reactions
Audiences have compared the film to classics like Chariots of Fire, A Beautiful Mind, Oppenheimer, and Good Will Hunting. One Rotten Tomatoes user wrote: 'Similar vein to other academic favorites like A Beautiful Mind, Oppenheimer and Good Will Hunting. Sad and inspiring — lost another genius far too young.' Another viewer commented: 'The script and the filming are every bit as good as Chariots of Fire, except that all the characters are likable.' A IMDB user review stated: 'So beautifully directed, enthralling from the very first cut. This is so far the finest performance by Dev Patel.'
The Man Who Knew Infinity is available to stream on Netflix.
