The story starting with Nash at a young age attending Princeton in search for his true original idea which in his mind was the only thing that could make him matter. Crowe fits the role, the environment, and even his appearance seems correct to the true life John Nash at this time period. Nash an anti-social being is befriended by his roommate Charles, played by Paul Bettany, who becomes an influence in Nash's life for then on. Bettany gives an extraordinary performance which emphasizes Crowe's part even that much more.
             John writing on the window just seems to fit him and his personality so well you don't notice how awkward this actually is, but being John Nash it is probably the least of his different qualities. After Nash's slight breakdown and breaking through a window, which does look very painful and genuine, with his head Charles feels he needs to relax and join him at the bar. There is where John discovers his original idea. After his first attempt and failure at trying for the blonde, even using the "fluid exchange" line, he finds a flaw in the game theory. This is what Nash was waiting for and had yearned for so long to accomplish.
             As a teacher he doesn't communicate very well with his students and feels since his intellectual state is higher than their need to learn he doesn't put forth a total effort but does catch the eye of one young lady who does end up becoming his wife. During this part of the movie you can kind of feel the chemistry between the two but at this time of it, it doesn't seem as intense as in later in the movie.
             Nash's work as a code breaker for the government at this time is more of a dramatic effect, so at this time your attention on the picture and situation is turned to the camera angles and the flashing of the lights from the numbers. This actually does capture you more than the flashing lights of a Christmas tree so it is more than flickeri...