Throughout this module we have been encouraged to think for ourselves regarding where maths might occur or be involved some way. As I enjoy watching films, and because we were set a TDT to watch a film about maths, I thought it would be interesting to combine the two and write a blog post on maths at the movies.
Some might argue that maths can be perceived as uncool or boring. However, make it the focus of a blockbuster movie starring famous actors such as Matt Damon and Ben Affleck and suddenly maths is cool and intriguing. Of course, I am talking about Good Will Hunting which featured a troubled young man, frequently in trouble with the law and working as a janitor. The connection to maths, however, is that he turns out to be a mathematical genius who just happens to be the janitor at one of the most prestigious universities in the United States. Basically, he secretly solves the complex maths problems put on a notice board intended for students to solve. Once discovered he is encouraged to put his talent to good use but he is very reluctant to comply. This film is actually one of my favourite films. I like how it highlights that absolutely anyone can have a talent for maths and that you shouldn’t judge a book by it’s cover.
Another famous film where the main character is gifted at maths is Rain Man starring Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise. Dustin Hoffman plays Rain Man, who is autistic but has excellent memory recall and possesses the ability to do very complex mathematical problems in his head. He ends up in Las Vegas with his onscreen brother, Tom Cruise, and they win a fortune on Blackjack through Hoffman card counting. The film won 4 Oscars.
Shawshank Redemption may not appear to be an obvious example of maths in movies but remember that Andy Dufresne was a banker before he was wrongly accused of his wife’s murder and imprisoned. While serving two life sentences he begins working for the Prison wardon as his personal accountant. Uncovering a lot of corruption, Dufresne manages to embezzle the money he laundered for the warden, which he collects after he escapes from prison.
Some films are written about real life mathematicians including ‘The Imitation Game’ which was about Alan Turing, and ‘The Theory of Everything’ which was about the life story of Stephen Hawking.
