An Invisible Sign (2010)

I'm a big fan of Jessica Alba and was disappointed when the Fantastic Four franchise was dropped. I really expected more from this film, but the only mature performances among the main characters came from the reliable J.K. Simmons and 10-year-old Sophie Nyweide (who stole the movie for me). I realise that the parts played by Jessica and dad John Shea were difficult, requiring them to reveal glimpses of former brilliance along with the subtle emotional and mental damage (respectively), the combined effect of which turned mother Sonia Braga into a hag (a role that didn't do her justice either). Unfortunately, they both missed the mark and Jessica came across as simple almost to the point of retarded. The school head was a caricature figure, as was the 'bad girl' (an issue that was dismally not addressed). Indeed the whole film seemed a bit like a caricature, which is disappointing, since all the ingredients were there to produce something a lot better - a real missed opportunity. The best scene (apart from the maudlin ones involving Sophie) was when Jessica determines to find out what happened to JKS. I would really love to have liked this film more, but won't be keeping my copy.

In this movie Jesica Alba's dad developed a mental illness. Due to emotional turmoil Jessica Alba developed OCD and turned to numbers in hopes that she can find the right numbers to get her life the way it was when she was young, and she believes that if she doesn't do these things like eat soap or whatever weird things she does that her Father would not come back to her, so she throws everything she cares about and lives a solitary life in hopes that her Dad would come back to Her. So she confines herself in numbers and weird soap eating habits but in the end, she figures out something that changed her life, what if she didn't do these weird habits, would something bad happen in her life?ps. I get the movie because I have OCD too. Also I gave this movie a 10 out of 10 because it changed my life.

After a stroke of her father (John Shea), the weird Mona Gray (Jessica Alba) gives up of all the things she likes but mathematic expecting that her father will be better. When she is 20 year-old, she is expelled from home by her mother (Sonia Braga) to live her own life. Soon her mother lies to her friend Ms. Gelband (Marylouise Burke), who is principal of a school, telling that Mona Gray is graduated and she hires her to teach mathematic to the third grade. Mona Gray feels affection for the orphan Lisa Venus (Sophie Nyweide) and her odd behavior attracts the attention of the teacher Ben Smith (Chris Messina). When there is an incident at school, the life of Mona Gray changes for good."An Invisible Sign" is among the worst movies I have ever seen, with an awful and senseless story. The plot is imbecile, beginning with Mona Gray's mother expelling her daughter out of her home without any reason. Then Ms. Gelband hires a clumsy and unprepared teacher without checking her credentials or background. Instead of mathematic, Mona Gray actually teaches and is attracted by numbers. She brings an ax to a classroom with kids in a total irresponsible attitude. The corny and lame conclusion, with Mona Gray rehired by the school and easily getting the custody of Lisa is terrible. The worst is that, this is the type of movie that we see expecting to like it, but the awful story is unbearable independently of the cast. Last but not the least, Sonia Braga lost her beauty and is unrecognizable. The years are cruel for everybody!My vote is two.Title (Brazil): "Matemática do Amor" ("Mathematic of Love")

You mention an actress like Jessica Alba and the first thing you think of is one of Maxim's top hundred most beautiful women in the world. Geeks possibly remember her more for "Dark Angel" or "Fantastic Four" so it is often obvious to forget that she really is a very talented and gifted actress, and that revelation is very well proved in "An Invisible Sign." Jessica plays Mona Gray, a withdrawn socially awkward math prodigy whose heart belongs to her father, played by the masterful John Shea (Lex Luther from "Lois & Clark"). It isn't revealed in the movie, but her father seems stricken with Alzheimers, and her mother (Sonia Braga of "Kiss of The Spider Woman") kicks her out of the house because he requires too much attention. Literally living in the front yard, Alba soon has a job as a math teacher at her old school where the real world soon starts realizing that she too is sort of special. Quirky, eccentric and withdrawn, Alba really shines as she tries teaching her love for math and numbers to children, and at the same time, learning what the real world is about. One of the people to help pull her out of her shell is Ben Smith (Chris Messina of "Argo"), the physical education teacher, and a cute blonde girl desperately in search of a parent figure to bond to, and the person she bonds with is Alba, much to her consternation and disbelief. The movie is even more heightened by JK Simmons (J. Jonah Jameson from the "Spiderman" movies), playing her former math teacher and next-door neighbor, and Bailee Madison (Female Max from "Wizards Of Waverly Place") as her younger counterpart. The movie is completely charming and mystically-endearing, a welcome departure from Alba's bikini-clad roles or strong female characters trying to save the world, heightened by Alba's wonderful quirky and eccentric performance.