Not worthy of the hype

Rating: 3/10 (2 December 2015)

I was compelled to watch this movie after hearing how Eddie Redmayne gave the performance of a life time, thus becoming the hands-down favorite to win the Oscar for Best Actor. I was disappointed.
The story lacked direction and purpose. It had potential to be a great character piece like Raging Bull, but that was lost in the parts of the movie that focused on science and Stephen Hawking's ailment. It also failed to be a truly good scientific movie because it almost glazed over Hawking's work. I couldn't tell if the relationships, the discoveries, the fame, or the declining physical health were supposed to be the driving force of the movie.
Now, I must admit the performances by the supporting cast were heartfelt and sympathetic yet not really like real people. Eddie Redmayne seemed intent on merely making Hawking seem nice and innocent and consequently one-dimensional. I was disappointed too in that his transformation into an Als patient was so revered. Yes, he looked like Stephen Hawking, but there was no depth behind it. No substance. No deeper motivation. All in all, Redmayne disappointed me.