Love, Spirit, and Acting at its Best

Rating: 9/10 (26 January 2015)

Reviewed by: Dare Devil Kid (DDK)
Rating: 4/5 stars
Part biopic, part love story; "The Theory of Everything" rises on James Marsh's polished direction and the strength of its two leads. Not an idealistic, all flowers and cuddles ordeal - it's a veritable depiction of true love and companionship. Also, the debate between theists and atheists has been played out in all matter of social circles for years now, yet it's only now that a film tackles this subject in such a beautiful, heartbreaking, subtle, and enlightening manner.
Starring Eddie Redmayne ("Les Misérables") and Felicity Jones ("The Amazing Spider-Man 2"), the film chronicles the extraordinary true story of one of the world's greatest living minds - the renowned astrophysicist Stephen Hawking - who falls deeply in love with fellow Cambridge student Jane Wilde. Once a healthy, active young man, Hawking received an earth-shattering diagnosis at 21 years of age. With Jane fighting tirelessly by his side, Stephen embarks on his most ambitious scientific work: studying the very thing he now has precious little of - time. Together, they defy impossible odds, break new ground in medicine and science, and achieve new ground in medicine and science, and achieve more than they could ever have dreamed. The film is based on the memoir "Travelling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen", by Jane Hawking, and is directed by Academy Award winner James Marsh ("Man on Wire").
Devoid of anything flashy, but backed by one of the year's finest performances, this intimate romantic drama is a revealing look at one of the most fascinating individuals of our generation. How Redmayne, not just able-bodied but downright pretty, twists himself into the famously blighted professor, and then projects the thought processes behind the disability, has to be seen to be believed. There's a mischievous quality to Redmayne that seems a good match with the wit Hawking has always managed to convey with a raised eyebrow and a mechanically-voiced quip. Stephen Hawking is the best thing that's ever happened to Redmayne's career, and "The Theory of Everything" is a treat.
"The Theory of Everything" reveals the man behind the icon: courageous, mischievous, funny, loving, but also difficult and at times selfish. It offers interesting characters and standout acting. Sometimes you wish the movie had delved deeper into its characters, but for what it is - a romance tale involving one of the great minds of humanity, interspersed with bits and pieces of Hawkin's academic prowess and scientific theories - it's engaging and moving. "The Theory of Everything" is deftly funny on occasions, endearingly heartwarming at other times, and wholly inspiring. If only we could get more loves stories like this and "The Fault in Our Stars", released earlier this year.