The Real Story Behind “A Beautiful Mind”

Release, Resignation, and Flight to Europe

After John’s experience in the hospital, director Ron Howard had viewers believe that he returned home. John begins to see the visions again after he stops taking his medication, and after it puts their son in danger, Alicia tries to have him committed again – but their love is strong enough to handle it and he never returns to the hospital. Like always, the truth is a bitter pill to swallow. After his initial hospitalization, John left the country without warning. He resigned from MIT, withdrew his pension and even tried to renounce his US citizenship. Alicia followed her husband and had him deported back to America. Not quite so tender, is it?