People who do not understand mental illness will see this film in a new light, because it not only shows how Nash reacts to his own illness, but how others, from employers to family and friends react. Some of the reactions indicate fear, some loathing, and some just bewilderment and a sense of unreality and hopelessness. Some of the reactions are also based on some of the stereotypes of schizophrenia, such as the disease is a multiple-personality disorder, and it is not treatable. It also breaks apart the myth that schizophrenics are violent. Some can be, but many are not, and this film shows that Nash may have had some bizarre behaviors, but he was not violent or hurtful to his family. Of course, his family suffered, and the film shows this, but they did not suffer physical abuse, really it was more mental abuse and stress and strain from...
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