The Professor and the Madman (2019) Reviews

• If not love...then what?

  maha-sidahmed2019-03-30

  Walked into the film with no expectations or knowledge of what it was about, except that it starred Gibson and Penn. Walked out of the film blown away. The script, cast (each and every one of them), the story... all beautifully portrayed. Though-provoking, heart-wrenching and inspiring.

• Oscar winning Performances

  greencarmena2019-04-17

  This film is for real cinema lovers, who dont need special effects and flashing images to get excited. I had no expectations when I sat down to view this amazing piece of work. The acting was superb, period costumes on point, casting down to the children, the broadmoor guards all wonderful. Sean Penn deserves an oscar for this extraordinary performance.

• An endeavour of unanticipated heft

  linkogecko2019-03-21

  Unforeseen: when a movie about people LITERALLY writing a dictionary turns out to be captivating, specially the further it strays from the actual dictionary-writing. "The Professor and the Madman" features Sean Penn and Mel Gibson both retaking characteristics from some of their better-known, pre-controversy roles, with Gibson going back to the "Braveheart" Scottish accent and Penn to the "Dead Man Walking" maybe-redeemable inmate murderer; resulting in a very strong on-screen chemistry. By the time this movie is released in most markets, its fame will likely stem from its legal issues which lead to Mel Gibson basically disavowing it and director Farhad Safinia doing so in full (the movie is credited to "P.B. Shemran", an Alan Smithee-like alias if there's ever been one). I find this decision suprising as for most of the film I could have easily bought this as a Mel Gibson-directed work. As a filmmaker, he might not have the strongest of auteurial signatures, but said signature that can most easily be defined in the depiction of gore, a fascination with language and Christian faith elements (most obvious in "The Passion of the Christ" and "Hacksaw Ridge"), definitely makes an appearance here. Not content with Gibson-like directorial decisions, the screenplay fortunately digs deeper into some topics than any Gibson script has. Penn's character's arc in particular is well-developed in creating empathy towards the mentally ill, which is still not common enough nowadays, nevermind in a time when phrenology was still a valid study. The word "redemption", so rare yet supposed to be the most Christian of virtues as well, gets a very strong definition with this character arc. Obsession is touched upon as well, not to Aronofsky-an levels, but still enough to be worthy of a mention. Considering the unforeseen depth of the treatment of these topics, it's truly unfortunate that there are some cases where the movie relies of the most shallow of tropes to force tension. The worst case of this is the almost-mustache-twirling-villain characters, with no depth or motive beyond antagonizing and foiling our brave heroes. One case in particular is not as tragic when a (until then) well-developed and rounded character inexplicably takes that villanous turn, at least having given us a solid base before. Additionally, the visuals suffer with some establishing shots clearly having made with inferior digital video quality, creating a jarring effect that takes you out of the movie. All in all, despite these shortcomings, "The Professor and the Madman" is a worthy story that goes into unanticipated and fortuitous depths, intensities, profoundities.

• Outstanding film with Oscar-worthy performance by Penn

  TheTopDawgCritic2019-04-19

  I wasn't thrilled about a biographical film story regarding a dictionary, but this one impressed me! Who would've though to know the history behind a dictionary? Farhad Safinia makes his first full length feature film debut as writer and director, and nailed it. Produced by and also starring Mel Gibson - who was also great in his role, this film was directed exceptionally well, and the writing was good. I felt the screenplay was all over the place in a few areas, and the 124 min length a little too long for the story being told. I'm not a fan of slow paced films, but this one was just right. Casting was great, including Game of Thrones' Natalie Dormer, but wow did Sean Penn give an Oscar-worthy performance in his role as Dr. Minor. Glad to see him back on the big screen. The score was perfect and the sets/costumes on point for the era. This is by no means an action packed Hollywood blockbuster, but instead a historical biopic produced extremely well, and a must-see. A well deserved 9/10 from me.

• Madness Gives us Words

  nogodnomasters2019-04-08

  This is the tale of the unorthodox beginnings of the Oxford dictionary. James A.H. Murray, who has limited schooling, impresses and leads a group of Oxford professors in the undertaking. He is aided by an American schizophrenic, Dr. William Chester Minor who is locked up in an asylum for the criminally insane. He shot and killed a man, believing he was an individual who was after him. It appears some of his issues may be PTSD. Mel Gibson plays the professor and Sean Penn the madman. This is a well acted period piece that most likely few people will see and then they will be shocked on Oscar night.