When science lost its innocence.|Jun. 11, 2021|Germany | Poland | United Kingdom|102 Min.|R
Genre: Adventure;Crime;Drama;Family;History;Mystery;Romance;Thriller;War
Description: “Adventures of a Mathematician,” a 2021 European film, explores themes of immigration and the dangers of nuclear weapons, delivering a thought-provoking narrative. Directed by Thor Klein, this German-Polish-British co-production tells the untold story of a key figure in the Manhattan Project during World War II. While the film is primarily in English, it blends cultural and moral questions with historical events.
The story follows Stan Ulam, a Polish-Jewish mathematician portrayed by Philippe Tlokinski. After securing a fellowship at Harvard, Ulam is recruited for the Manhattan Project in Los Alamos, New Mexico. His expertise in mathematics and his skills as a card player contribute significantly to the development of the hydrogen bomb and early computer technology. However, the film focuses more on the societal and ethical dilemmas faced by the characters rather than the scientific aspects.
Stan and his younger brother Adam, played by Mateusz Wieclawek, grapple with their parents and sister’s uncertain fate in Poland, highlighting the struggles of immigration and the Holocaust. The film underscores the moral conflict faced by European-born scientists, who initially supported the atomic bomb project to defeat Nazi Germany. However, after Germany’s surrender in May 1945, their motivations wane. The subsequent bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki leave many scientists, including one passionately portrayed by Sam Keeley, deeply ashamed and horrified by the civilian casualties.
While the film struggles to fully explore its ambitious themes within its 102-minute runtime, it delivers poignant moments that linger with the audience. “Adventures of a Mathematician” serves as a timely reminder of the moral complexities surrounding scientific advancements and their consequences.
Cast director: Thorsten Klein
Cast actor: Philippe Tłokiński, Esther Garrel, Sam Keeley, Joel Basman, Fabian Kocięcki, Ryan Gage, Sabin Tambrea, Mateusz Więcławek, James Sobol Kelly, Alberto Ruano
Original name: Adventures of a Mathematician