I am in no way knowledgeable about history of mathematics and neither knowing anything of the contributions of Ramanujan, but would like to comment on the shortcomings of the movie.
Mathematics is the queen of sciences indeed. It is a very sexy thing to be a mathematician.
Ramanujan did study mathematics in his formative years... algebra and other things from text books, which somehow was not shown in the movie. The movie showed him as being overexcited at the mathematical problems written on the board. His actions showed that he was more interested in getting recognition and income so that he can lay his hands on his wife... something, which his mother carefully avoided, which is a very despicable portrayal of a highly accomplished mind.
He mentions to G.H Hardy several times that he has a wife to care for, whom he has left back in India. The most deplorable thing in the movie is that, it does not go in any way to explain the mathematical background, on which his work was based.
People do not like to know details about mathematics. Yet are in awe of those who understand it. It is a cryptic language understood, only by the gifted. We all know about how a single mathematical equation reduces the readership of a book by half. The movie is robbed of its soul because I expected depiction of at least a bit of mathematics, that is in a romanticized manner, easy to understand, presented to inspire youngsters, to take up the subject etc.
What the director/script writer did not skip showing was glorification of the trinity college. Boasting about how great newton was and their library, and their treasure trove of knowledge and history of brilliance. It also showed the culture in the college. Ramanujan was roughed up by the racists that too in a country which calls itself tolerant.
If you would like to learn about mathematics, invest in a book instead of taking the pains to watch the movie. If instead you want to know how cruel the world is to the gifted, who deserve better treatment, and want to be saddened by watching the movie, go ahead at your own risk.
At risk of sounding outlandish, I feel a Tamil movie by name முடிவிலி அறிந்த மனிதன் which would do justice to the character should be made. When Ramanujan's mother speaks chaste English it sounded very very strange. I felt the same while watching slumdog millionaire. How street kids were able to speak chaste English beats me.
At risk of sounding outlandish, I feel a Tamil movie by name முடிவிலி அறிந்த மனிதன் which would do justice to the character should be made. When Ramanujan's mother speaks chaste English it sounded very very strange. I felt the same while watching slumdog millionaire. How street kids were able to speak chaste English beats me.
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