The Theory of
Everything
Dir: James
Marsh
Starring: Eddie
Redmayne, Felicity Jones, David Thewlis, Harry Lloyd, Charlie Cox, and Emily
Watson
123 Minutes
Rated PG-13
British theoretical
physicist Stephen Hawking is a remarkable man. The notable scientist, whose
best selling book “A Brief History of Time”, has been a highly regarded work of
complex theories. Director James Marsh examines the man, the husband, and the
scientist in “The Theory of Everything”; perhaps more truthfully titled “The
Theory of Love” for the films pointed emphasis on the shifting relationship
between Hawking and his wife Jane. Marsh directs wonderful performances from
the lead cast and navigates the film with zeal; unfortunately the film misses
the opportunity to explore other exceptional avenues of the multifaceted
genius.
Stephen Hawking
(Eddie Redmayne) is a brilliant young mind at Cambridge. A little capricious
with friends and somewhat bored by his studies, Hawking meets a literature
major named Jane (Felicity Jones) and they fall in love. Hawking, after a
serious fall, is diagnosed with a motor neuron disease also known as Lou
Gehrig’s disease. With only an assumed few years to live, Hawking completes his
doctorate, gets married, and continues the advancement of his thesis. His
disease continues to progress, rendering him to a wheelchair. Jane is patiently
supportive; caring for him while his disease gets worse. There relationship
begins to suffer as Hawking’s fame continues to grow for his advances in
scientific theory.
Marsh tries
very hard to elevate the material beyond the sappy melodramatic trappings of a
made for television movie and, to a large extent, the film succeeds. However,
there are moments where the narrative tumbles into the trappings, mostly within
the transitional devices utilized to display the Hawking’s marital strains. The
film is based on the memoir “Travelling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen” by
Jane Hawking. Her personal account is reflected within the film. While
Hawking’s rise to academic renown and theoretical discovery is a focus at the
beginning, it is left as a second thought thereafter. Marsh introduces some
interesting narrative subjects, like the unexpected pressures of fame, the
resilience and patience of love, and the life changes that challenge a
relationship. These elements are introduced predictably but also effectively,
complimented by some noteworthy performances.
Eddie Redmayne
is phenomenal as Hawking. The performance is physical and emotional, one that
transitions throughout the entirety of the film and displays Redmayne’s range
as an actor. Redmayne, starting with an effected gait, to assistive
instruments, and moving into the use of an electric wheelchair, impressively
portrays the progression of the disease. It is certainly one of the most
notable performances of the year. Not to be outshined, Felicity Jones is
tender, confident, and commanding as the devoted though overwhelmed wife. Some
of her best scenes have no dialogue at all, simply a glance or gesture that
evokes all the emotion her character is feeling in that moment.
Those looking
for a more comprehensive film about Stephen Hawking and his scientific
ideologies should look at Errol Morris’ 1991 documentary “A Brief History of
Time”. “The Theory of Everything” is a straightforward story about a changing
relationship, albeit a relationship with one of the greatest minds of our age.
Accompanied by wonderful performances and a well-intentioned narrative, this is
a film about a family trying to live an ordinary life under the influence of
extraordinary circumstances.
Monte’s Rating
3.50 out of 5.00
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