The Theory of Everything

Rating: 6/10 (15 January 2015)

As soon as I heard that there was going to be a film about Stephen Hawking I was excited, when it was released I heard positive comments and reviews, and of course awards season was looming so I predicted good things, so of course I watched it, from BAFTA nominated director James Marsh (Man on Wire). Basically, set in 1963, Stephen Hawking (Oscar, BAFTA and Golden Globe winning Eddie Redmayne) is an astrophysics student at Cambridge University, he meets literature student Jane Wilde (Oscar, BAFTA and Golden Globe nominated Felicity Jones), both are working for their PhDs. Stephen excels at mathematics and physics, but his friends and Professor Dennis Sciama (David Thewlis) are concerned he has no topic for his thesis, Stephen is concentrating on his relationship with Jane, they attend a ball together and eventually share their first kiss. In a lecture about black holes Stephen speculates that they may have been a part of the creation of the universe, he also first notices he is not able to walk very quickly, while pursuing his research Stephen's muscles begin to give out while walking and he suddenly collapses. In Cambridge Hospital, the Senior Doctor (Adam Godley) tells Stephen that he motor neuron disease, a disorder affecting the cells that control voluntary muscle activity including speaking, walking, swallowing, and general bodily movement, although his brain will remain unchanged his muscles will soon be uncontrollable, he is told he has approximately two years to live. Stephen becomes reclusive towards roommate Brian (Harry Lloyd) and everyone, Jane tells Stephen she love him, he eventually cheers up and tells his professor his thesis paper will be about time, when asked "what about time?", Stephen simply replies "time". Stephen and Jane marry and have a son, but his ability to talk becomes worse due to the motor neuron disease, he finally presents his thesis that a black hole was responsible for the creation of the universe, the examination board tell him his theory is revolutionary, he is awarded his doctorate. Unable to walk Stephen relies on a wheelchair, he and Jane have a second child, a daughter, and he astounds professors in a lecture with a theory about the visibility of black holes, Stephen begins to become a world-renowned physicist, and an electric wheelchair allows him to move around and play with the children, however Jane is becoming frustrated, looking after the children, and caring for Stephen and his increasing fame. Jane tells Stephen of her depression, her mother Beryl (Emily Watson) suggests she join a church choir, there she meets handsome conductor Jonathan Hellyer Jones (Stardust's Charlie Cox), they become close friends and she employs him as a piano teacher for her son, Jonathan becomes friends with Stephen and to the whole family, helping however he can. Jane becomes pregnant and has a third child, Stephen's parents because of Jonathan question if the baby is his, she is appalled by this question, but alone they admit their feelings for each other, Jonathan does leave, but Stephen convinces him to stay. Becoming more famous, Stephen attends a concert in Bordeaux, while Jane and Jonathan go camping with the children, however Stephen contracts pneumonia, doctors tell Jane the only way to save him is to perform a tracheotomy, which will render Stephen speechless, she tells them to operate anyway, after this Stephen becomes depressed, as does Jane. Stephen starts to communicate with a spelling board with hired nurse Elaine Mason (Maxine Peake), the two get on well, then Stephen gets a computer with a voice synthesizer built in, it responds to his clicks, he is able to use it to speak at an almost normal pace again, and he uses it to write a book, A Brief History of Time, which becomes an international best-seller. One day however he tells Jane he is going to America to accept an award, taking Elaine with him, this triggers the end of their marriage, Stephen and Elaine fall in love, Jane reunites with Jonathan, in America at his lecture Stephen at one point imagines being able to stand up, almost crying at the reminder of his disease, but he presses on and gives a inspiring speech to get a standing ovation. Jane living with Jonathan gets a letter from Stephen to come with him to meet the Queen, after the two talk happily in the courtyard and look at their children, Stephen saying "look what we made", the closing text tells that Jane married Jonathan, but she and Stephen remain close friends to this day. Also starring Simon McBurney as Frank Hawking, Abigail Cruttenden as Isobel Hawking, Guy Oliver-Watts as George Wilde, Charlotte Hope as Philippa Hawking, Lucy Chappell as Mary Hawking and Me and Orson Welles' Christian McKay as Roger Penrose. Redmayne is absolutely brilliant playing the man afflicted by a terrible disease, but never letting it hold him back from his achievements, or love, and Jones gives a terrific sensitive performance as the woman who does her best to stay with him through all the trauma, this really does convince you of the realities of what a life changing disease can do to a relationship and a single life, I agree the odd moment of the symptoms make it lose a little momentum, but you cannot argue that it is a fantastic portrayal of the true story of a genius of our time, a splendid biographical drama. It was nominated the Oscars for Best Motion Picture of the Year, Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay and Best Music for J贸hann J贸hannsson, it won the BAFTAs for the Alexander Korda Award for Best British Film and Best Adapted Screenplay, and it was nominated for Best Film, Best Original Music, Best Editing, Best Costume Design and Best Make Up & Hair, and it won the Golden Globe for Best Original Score, and it was nominated for Best Motion Picture - Drama. Good!