Die Gleichung ihres Lebens

A movie about a semi-autistic young female mathematician struggling to fit into the society, with a happy end: she finds her boy and even succeeds in proving an uber-hard conjecture. In a sense, it's like Neo from The Matrix: started as an outcast but then saves the world and gets the girl (boy). The nerdy version of Cinderella plot.

As a movie, it's not that exciting. Simply because the math part would be impenetrable to the vast majority of the audience. So it's reduced to gibberish and meaningless math symbols on blackboards. Instead, the movie focuses on the social inadequacy: at the age of 25, the heroine is still dependent on her mom. She quits her math PhD after her first failure and tries to survive in the city by taking up random working-class jobs. When she's inevitably fired from those for disrespecting authority, she starts earning cash illegally from Mahjong gambling. In real life this would eventually land her in jail or on welfare or in an institution. But in this movie, she follows into Maria Curie's steps and finds love among fellow scientists. For a proper happy end, she also has to single-handedly solve a problem that hundreds of old bearded dudes failed at. Cheers to that.

For me this movie, despite its shortcomings, had a special touch because I am actually kinda like that girl myself. Well, I'm not autistic and I even had a successful business, but I'm still of that type in general. I'd say there are at least 8 times more men like this than there are women. So, guys would be unlikely to have a similar story. Simply because there are barely any girls to go around. Normally they just either stay alone, or have bad marriages/divorces or... I dunno... sell startups and buy trophy babes. Notice how just about every person around the heroine is a guy. That's accurate.

Despite familiar themes, the movie is well-made and avoids being overly dramatic. It is well worth watching and takes more after the movie 21 than 'Good Will Hunting' or 'A Beautiful Mind'. A very solid performance by Ella Rumpf (known from the movie "Raw") who portrays Marguerite. Starts a bit slow but if you bite the bullet and continue watching, you will be rewarded. Some plot twists are predictable (just like in the movie "21"), but others you will not see coming. The movie explores a common problem, talented young people who get discouraged when they realize success isn't guaranteed. Marguerite is a brilliant math student who crumbles when her big theorem turns out to be wrong. While the movie explores familiar territory (genius obsessed with proving themselves), it might not resonate with everyone unless you're really into number theory (a specific branch of mathematics). The film uses camera tricks to show how overwhelmed Marguerite feels and how she struggles to decide between her passion for math and the harsh realities of the world. I also loved the movie and the performances of Julien Frison (Lucas) and Sonia Bonny (Noa). But Ella Rumpf (Marguerite Hoffmann) takes the crown. Perfect casting for this role. Rated the movie 9/10 and well deserved. No need to say that this is a must see (despite the slow start).

An interesting premise about mathematicians, solutions, experience, and autonomy with a strong lead performance from Ella Rumpf. Concepts about mathematicians and the solutions to solve them aren't something I am very familiar with but the idea of how it process is interesting. Filmmaker Anna Novion does a pretty good job on presenting the direction of the atmosphere, tone, and camerawork as there are some really interesting camera shots and presentations.

With good performances, Rumpf's performance as the main lead is pretty good as she presents an interesting, while at times, noisy, character study that is engaging to observe. Unfortunately, the fault of the movie lies on it's uneven narrative and themes approached. It's narrative explores some interesting concepts about errors and discovery but unfortunately, it lands onto some cliches that are boring and providing some side characters that have little development or engagement to connect with. Creating the movie to lose it's steam.

Nevertheless, for mathematician individuals, this movie will do good for the demographic.

A very good, atmospheric, beautifull and - contrary to appearences - quite a simple film. About maturing, obsession, genius. And in the background pathological reelationship at the university and complicated relationship betwen people.

Some viewers may be put off by the amount of mathematics in the film. Don't worry, you don't have to be a mathematician to watch the film, although it's worth having some understanding, to at least have some idea of what the characters are taking about.

For people who are completely unmathematical, there is a very instructive scene of how easily opinion polls can be manipulated depending on the question asked (it's worth remembering when reading sensational polls in the press).

PS Beautifull soundtrack.

No pun intended - math was something I loved in school too. But when we got to higher math (that's not a pun, right?) I felt like I lost the thread. I really like how the movie presents itself though. It has so many elements (or variables to stay and stick with the theme of the movie) ... and they all work well together! Be it actors, the story, developments, relationships and so much more.

The good thing is that while the math presented is quite complicated (I assume they double checked and everything is legit in the movie, I can't say for certain though), it is more a byproduct ... so don't worry too much about it. I didn't get it either - but you don't have to. Because this is more about the woman and human finally being able to get a breakthrough .. .or more than one that is. That's why I thought I make this my review 11088 ... I mean I didn't plan the release of the movie in the cinemas ... but since it played right now and I was almost at the number, I was able to pin it down to that.

I did not paint that on a chalkboard (wall) ... while she is thickheaded (our main character), we will love her ... we will feel for and with her ... she is quite gullible, but also weird and stubborn ... and so many other things! Kudos to the actress who probably is nothing like that in real life. A beautiful ... also mind (actually I could have used that as a summary headline - always with my no pun intended trademark of course) ...