Drama,Mystery
United States of America
Proof is a 2005 American drama film directed by John Madden and based on David Auburn's Pulitzer Prize-winning play of the same name. The film stars Gwyneth Paltrow, Jake Gyllenhaal, Anthony Hopkins, and Hope Davis.
Catherine (played by Paltrow) is the daughter of Robert (played by Hopkins), a mathematical genius and professor at the University of Chicago. Catherine sacrifices her own education and life to care for her father, who is suffering from mental illness and a decline in his cognitive abilities.
As Robert's mental health deteriorates further, Catherine struggles with her emotions and fears that she may have inherited her father's illness. After Robert's death, Catherine meets Hal (played by Gyllenhaal), a former student of Robert's who is searching through Robert's work for any sign of his brilliance before his illness overtook him.
The discovery of a potentially groundbreaking mathematical proof among Robert's papers raises questions about the authorship of the proof and Catherine's own abilities and mental state. Is Catherine the true author of the proof, or did Robert leave it for her to discover?
The film addresses themes of mental illness, family dynamics, and the nature of genius and creativity. Through flashbacks and scenes set in present-day, the film explores Catherine's relationship with her father and her own internal battles.
Proof received mixed reviews from critics, but was praised for its performances, particularly Paltrow's portrayal of Catherine. The film was nominated for the Golden Lion at the 62nd Venice International Film Festival and Paltrow received a Satellite Award for her performance.
