The Theory of Everything film review

Went to see this film today with the family at Leeds/Bradford Odeon and what a poignant film it is.

IMDB says: A look at the relationship between the famous physicist Stephen Hawking and his wife.

In this James Marsh (Man on Wire, Shadow Dancer) directed and screenplay written by Anthony McCarten (Death of a Superhero, The English Harem) from the book 'Travelling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen' written by Jane Hawking, the excellent Eddie Redmayne (Les Miserables, My Week with Marilyn) as Hawking and Felicity Jones (Chalet Girl, The Invisible Woman) as his wife Jane.  David Thewlis (Harry Potter, Seven Years in Tibet) plays the Professor Hawking has to impress with his PhD and Harry Lloyd (The Iron Lady, Jane Eyre) plays his friend Brian.  Emily Watson (War Horse, The Book Thief) plays Jane's mother, Simon McBurney (Magic in the Moonlight, The Last King of Scotland) Hawking's father Frank and Tom Prior (Kingsman, Alex was a Friend of Mine) plays Robert Hawking, his son.



Redmayne is stellar in this role, going from shy and nerdy student, through shocked and shut-down depression when he realises what his diagnosis means to the fighter who not only refuses to let his illness define him, but uses his determination to find the answers to the big questions about the world.  His performance is so realistic, not only do you forget that it is not the real Stephen Hawking, but you go through the journey with him. The physicality of nailing the role for me, means I feel he is most deserving of an Oscar this year.

Jones is also phenomenal in her portrayal, sensitive yet strong and viewers also go on her journey with her as she becomes full-time carer for her beloved husband, empathising and sympathising with each triumph and setback.

The only part of the movie that I did not enjoy was the scene with the dropped pen, I am not sure what this 'dream sequence' added to film apart from to illuminate the simple things in life that Hawking was now missing, but I loved the movie nonetheless.



Trivia:  Eddie Redmayne has beaten Benedict Cumberbatch and David Oyelowo to Best Actor in a Drama at he Golden Globes for his role in the movie.

The film has already received five Academy Award nominations including for Best Picture.

It took ten years for Director Marsh to bring this story to the screen.

Stephen Hawking said that the movie was broadly true, said there were certain points when he felt he was watching himself and lent his voice for the final parts of the film.



Tagline: His mind changed our world. Her love changed his.                     8/10

#TheTheoryOfEverything  #EddieRedmayne  #FelicityJones  #Odeon  #GoldenGlobes