A magicians trick but ...

Rating: 9/10 (23 November 2014)

.. arguably a very good one.
A small hat is presented to the audience. The magician turns it inside out and shows there is nothing there.
He lays it down. Waves his hand over it. Reaches in and pulls out a large rabbit.
Works every time.
This movie is like that.
It would be a good solid movie if the viewer was unaware of who Hawking is.
Knowing in advance what is to come -- that a rabbit is due, if you like -- makes it that much more special.
Marsh directs with a sure hand. This is the sort of film that Ron Howard usually makes, but nonetheless the audience is in capable hands.
Redmayne is superb, the illusion is greater because he LOOKS like Hawking. Astonishing.
Jones is centre of the film. Every film needs a centre and you could do worse than than beautiful and magical Felicity Jones.
Her astonishing beauty (a perfectly symmetrical face and oversize eyes) depends for impact on getting just the right camera angle. This allows the director, by picking the angles, to use her beauty like a weapon with which to harpoon the viewer in key scenes. Works.
She plays "younger" in the early scenes and "older" in the later scenes. And is never less than brilliant.
Excellent.