About.com Rating

The Bottom Line

Pretty much overlooked during its theatrical release, "Proof" is actually a compelling story that will hopefully find the adult audience it deserves with its release on DVD.

The film's a little slow to take off, but there's a nice pay-off if you stick with it.



Pros

• Terrific cast
• An engaging story
• Decent collection of bonus features

Cons

• The commentary track is very, very slow going

Description

• Two deleted scenes and one extended scene (with optional commentary)
• 'From Stage to Screen' - Making of featurette with cast interviews
• Feature commentary by director John Madden
• DVD Release Date: February 14, 2006

Guide Review - "Proof" DVD Review

Gwyneth Paltrow stars as Catherine, the daughter of a once-brilliant mathematician (played by Sir Anthony Hopkins) whose mental collapse necessitated her withdrawal from college in order to care for him on a full-time basis. Catherine lives in her father's shadow and though she loves him, she does want a life of her own. When Robert suddenly passes on, Catherine's left to deal with the fact she may have inherited his mental disorder, a condition which destroyed her father's genius and made him unable to deal with reality.

Shortly before the funeral, one of her father's most dedicated students, Hal (Jake Gyllenhaal), comes over to search through the hundreds of notebooks Robert left behind in hopes of discovering something worth publishing on her father's behalf.

Hal and Catherine quickly develop a close bond which is just as abruptly shattered when Catherine reveals a secret Hal refuses to believe. Meanwhile Catherine's hyper-organized, list-making sister (Hope Davis) arrives from New York to convince Catherine it's time she faces reality and gets some help.

The Bonus Features

The 'From Stage to Screen' featurette walks audiences through the process of developing the Pulitzer Prize-winning play into a feature film. Better than the average Making Of segments, the 'From Stage to Screen' features interviews and insight from the cast and director John Madden. Check it out and bypass the commentary track - unless you need a cure for insomnia.