A movie based on the powerful true story of a mathematical genius in the early 20th century has just landed on Netflix. If you love moving stories about game-changing academics from The Theory of Everything about the life of Stephen Hawking (Eddie Redmayne) to Hidden Figures about the Black women crucial to the first moon landing, then we have your next watch.
This awe-inspiring tale, The Man Who Knew Infinity, follows the short but remarkable life of Indian mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan (Oscar nominee Dev Patel), a man who pursued his mathematical curiosity while growing up in poverty. After making a name for himself in the mathematical world as he started developing his own theorems, he grew a friendship with mathematician Godfrey H. Hardy (Oscar winner Jeremy Irons), which led him to the doors of Trinity College, Cambridge.
The film delves into the personal challenges that faced this maths prodigy, including his ill health as well as navigating racial prejudice and the tough world of academia. Ramanujan died at the young age of 32, 15 years after he first contracted tuberculosis.
First released in 2015, the movie also stars British screen talents such as Toby Jones, Stephen Fry, Kevin McNally, a posthumous appearance from Richard Johnson, and US actor Devika Bhise. The movie received mixed reviews at the time, especially from critics. Total Film called it 'an intriguing story told in generic fashion' while the Daily Star noted 'the story unfolds pretty much as expected'.
But fans were more generous in their viewing, especially lavishing praise on the lead stars, Dev, Jeremy, and Toby. 'An underrated film, in my opinion, a must watch,' Prakash S wrote on Rotten Tomatoes. 'Once in a lifetime comes a movie... The ability of Dev and Devika to step 100 years back in time, and portray the characters is outstanding! Jeremy as Professor Hardy and Toby as Littlewood are fantastic!' one anonymous user shared.
'It's an interesting biopic with a good central performance from Dev Patel, as well as supporting roles by Stephen Fry and Toby Jones, among others,' Isla S agreed.
The Man Who Knew Infinity is available to stream on Netflix now.
