A slow-burning thriller based on David Auburn's award-winning stage play, Proof is a searing, sensitive drama which intelligently tackles the thorny twin subjects of genius and hereditary mental illness.

Catherine (Gwyneth Paltrow), a woman in her late-twenties, is strongly devoted to her father, Robert (Anthony Hopkins), a brilliant yet emotionally unstable mathematician whose genius is chronicled in more than 100 notebooks.

For much of her life, Catherine has taken care of him but, as his grip on reality slowly slips away, she is consumed with grief and concerned about how much of her father's condition she will inherit.

When Robert passes away, Catherine's officious sister, Claire (Hope Davis), flies in to take charge, while one of her father's old students, Hal (Jake Gyllenhaal), begins taking considerable interest in the contents of the notebooks.

Catherine, meanwhile, makes a shocking announcement which begs tantalising questions about the nature and mysteries of mathematics and love.

Wisely retaining much of the play's outstanding dialogue, this intense and compassionate film features exceptional lead performances (Gwyneth Paltrow also starred in the original stage play, bolstered by strong support from Jake Gyllenhaal and Hope Davis. John Madden (Shakespeare In Love) directs.

Showing at Duke Of York's, Brighton, from today until Thursday. Times and pices vary. Call 01273 626261. (Cert 12A, 100 min)