"A Beautiful Mind" may be the most overrated film of the year, which is not to say it isn't good; it is. But just because Russell Crowe is superb and it is a feel-good cloying tearjerker does not make it great.

You bet it is a tearjerker. The two final syrupy scenes - the presentation of the pens, and the Nobel Prize ceremony - nearly gave me diabetes. The entire movie revolves around two specious concepts: Modern Psychiatry is brutal and ineffective, and all a disturbed man needs is the love of a good woman. So simplistic.

Nevertheless, it is a good well-made, though manipulating, film taking us into the psychotic world of the famous mathematician. It is loosely based on his life, but conveniently ignores such as his delving into homosexuality which got him arrested and fired from his job. The performances, especially by Crowe, are first-rate; I being especially impressed by Christopher Plummer.

No way on this planet is "A Beautiful Mind" in the same league as "Lord of the Rings" - which is truly great. If the former wins the Academy Award it will be due only to internal Hollywood politics, which is why "Shakespeare in Love" beat up the great "Saving Private Ryan" - Harvey Weinstein of Miramax (for "Shakespeare") is an expert at politics and promotion.

"A Beautiful Mind". Good. See it for the performances. Maybe your date will have a good cry. But I had no trouble thinking of better movies from this past year.