The Man Who Knew Infinity
Growing up poor in Madras, India, Srinivasa Ramanujan Iyengar earns admittance to Cambridge University during WWI, where he becomes a pioneer in mathematical theories with the guidance of his professor, G.H. Hardy.
The film earned $11.5M at the global box office.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
The Man Who Knew Infinity (2016) exemplifies precise narrative design, characteristic of Matt Brown's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 48 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.9, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Ramanujan works as a clerk in Madras, 1913, scribbling mathematical formulas in notebooks during his mundane job at the Accountant General's office. His extraordinary mind is confined to ordinary tasks, showing his brilliance trapped in circumstances.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Professor G.H. Hardy at Cambridge receives Ramanujan's letter containing revolutionary mathematical formulas. Hardy recognizes genius and decides to invite this unknown Indian clerk to Cambridge, despite colleague Littlewood's initial skepticism.. At 11% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 26 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Ramanujan boards the ship to England, leaving his wife and mother behind. He makes the active choice to enter the Western academic world, crossing both literal and metaphorical oceans to pursue his mathematical destiny., moving from reaction to action.
At 53 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat False victory: Ramanujan's work is presented to the London Mathematical Society and receives acknowledgment. Hardy celebrates this success. However, the stakes raise as Ramanujan is still not accepted as a Fellow, and underlying tensions about proof, recognition, and his deteriorating health begin to surface., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 80 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Ramanujan collapses from tuberculosis and malnutrition. Near death in the hospital, he attempts suicide by throwing himself in front of a train. His dream of recognition seems dead, his health is destroyed, and he is utterly isolated from his family and culture. The "whiff of death" is literal., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 86 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Hardy shares the taxi-cab number story (1729) with Ramanujan, who immediately sees its mathematical beauty. This moment of connection synthesizes their two approaches: Hardy brings the observation, Ramanujan provides the divine insight. Hardy commits to fighting for Ramanujan's Fellowship with renewed understanding and strategy., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Man Who Knew Infinity's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping The Man Who Knew Infinity against these established plot points, we can identify how Matt Brown utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Man Who Knew Infinity within the drama genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Ramanujan works as a clerk in Madras, 1913, scribbling mathematical formulas in notebooks during his mundane job at the Accountant General's office. His extraordinary mind is confined to ordinary tasks, showing his brilliance trapped in circumstances.
Theme
Ramanujan's friend asks "How do you know?" about his mathematical insights. Ramanujan replies "An equation has no meaning to me unless it expresses a thought of God." The theme: faith versus proof, intuition versus rigor, Eastern spirituality versus Western empiricism.
Worldbuilding
Ramanujan's life in Madras is established: his marriage to Janaki, his mathematical obsession, his poverty, and his attempts to gain recognition by writing to Cambridge professors. He faces rejection and cultural constraints while his wife struggles with his devotion to mathematics over their relationship.
Disruption
Professor G.H. Hardy at Cambridge receives Ramanujan's letter containing revolutionary mathematical formulas. Hardy recognizes genius and decides to invite this unknown Indian clerk to Cambridge, despite colleague Littlewood's initial skepticism.
Resistance
Ramanujan debates whether to leave India for Cambridge. His devout Brahmin mother opposes it, his wife fears abandonment, and he faces religious prohibitions against crossing the ocean. Hardy writes persuasive letters. Ramanujan seeks divine guidance and his mother finally grants permission after a vision.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Ramanujan boards the ship to England, leaving his wife and mother behind. He makes the active choice to enter the Western academic world, crossing both literal and metaphorical oceans to pursue his mathematical destiny.
Mirror World
Ramanujan meets Hardy face-to-face at Cambridge. Hardy becomes the mirror character who will teach him Western rigor while learning from Ramanujan's intuition. Their relationship embodies the central thematic conflict: proof versus insight, showing versus knowing.
Premise
The promise of the premise: Ramanujan and Hardy collaborate on mathematics. Ramanujan produces brilliant formulas but resists providing proofs. He faces racism from Cambridge establishment (particularly Major MacMahon), struggles with English culture and food, and battles to maintain his religious identity while Hardy pushes him toward Western mathematical rigor.
Midpoint
False victory: Ramanujan's work is presented to the London Mathematical Society and receives acknowledgment. Hardy celebrates this success. However, the stakes raise as Ramanujan is still not accepted as a Fellow, and underlying tensions about proof, recognition, and his deteriorating health begin to surface.
Opposition
WWI breaks out, intensifying xenophobia at Cambridge. Ramanujan faces increased discrimination and isolation. His health deteriorates from inadequate vegetarian diet and the English climate. Hardy's efforts to get him elected as Fellow are blocked by prejudiced colleagues. Ramanujan receives devastating news that his mother has blocked letters from his wife Janaki, cutting off his emotional lifeline.
Collapse
Ramanujan collapses from tuberculosis and malnutrition. Near death in the hospital, he attempts suicide by throwing himself in front of a train. His dream of recognition seems dead, his health is destroyed, and he is utterly isolated from his family and culture. The "whiff of death" is literal.
Crisis
Ramanujan lies in the hospital, critically ill and despairing. Hardy visits and experiences his own dark night, realizing how he has failed Ramanujan by pushing rigor over humanity. Hardy processes his role in Ramanujan's suffering and finds new resolve to honor his friend's genius on Ramanujan's own terms.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Hardy shares the taxi-cab number story (1729) with Ramanujan, who immediately sees its mathematical beauty. This moment of connection synthesizes their two approaches: Hardy brings the observation, Ramanujan provides the divine insight. Hardy commits to fighting for Ramanujan's Fellowship with renewed understanding and strategy.
Synthesis
Hardy battles the Trinity College establishment, delivering an impassioned speech about Ramanujan's genius that transcends their prejudices. He combines Ramanujan's intuitive brilliance with the political maneuvering needed to achieve recognition. Ramanujan is elected Fellow of the Royal Society and Fellow of Trinity College, the first Indian to receive both honors.
Transformation
Ramanujan returns to India, reunites with Janaki, but is dying. In contrast to the opening where his genius was trapped and unrecognized, he is now acknowledged and free, yet physically broken. He tells Janaki his work will live on. The transformation is bittersweet: spiritual and intellectual victory through physical sacrifice. Title cards reveal his formulas are still used today.