Brillant Young MindBrillant Young Mind

The Hope College Knickerbocker Fall Film Series will conclude with the British dramatic comedy “A Brilliant Young Mind,” on Monday-Saturday, Nov. 30-Dec. 5, at 7:30 p.m.

Originally titled “X+Y” in the United Kingdom, “A Brilliant Young Mind” is a coming-of-age drama in which a young math genius has his logic thwarted by the one thing he cannot make sense of:  love.

Brian Viner of the Daily Mail has described the film as “Wonderful and heart-rendering!” Nigel Andrews of the Financial Times has called it “A film to savor…clever and imaginative,” and Tim Robey of the Telegraph has said it is “An emotional knockout.”

Asa Butterfield stars as a teenage math prodigy, Nathan, who struggles with building relationships with others, especially his mother, Julie, played by Academy Award nominee Sally Hawkins. In a world difficult to comprehend, he finds comfort in numbers. When Nathan is taken under the wing of unconventional and anarchic teacher, Mr. Humphreys, played by Rafe Spall, the pair forge an unusual friendship. Eventually, Nathan’s talents win him a place on the UK National team at the International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO), and the team travels to a training camp in Taiwan, under the supervision of squad leader Richard, played by Eddie Marsan.

In unfamiliar surroundings, Nathan is confronted by a series of unexpected challenges—not least the unfamiliar feelings he begins to experience for his Chinese counterpart Zhang Mei, played by Jo Yang, feelings that develop when the young mathematicians return to England for the IMO, held at Trinity College, Cambridge.

From suburban England to bustling Taipei, this film tracks the funny and complex relationships Nathan builds as he is confronted by the irrational nature of love.

Tickets for “A Brilliant Young Mind” are $7 for regular admission, and $6 for senior citizens, Hope College faculty and children.  Tickets will be sold at the door but are also available in advance at the Events and Conferences Office located downtown in the Anderson-Werkman Financial Center (100 E. Eighth St.). The office is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and can be called at (616) 395-7890.

The Knickerbocker Theatre is located in downtown Holland at 86 E. Eighth St.