The Theory of Everything
THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING (12)
D: James Marsh
Focus Features/Working Title (Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Lisa
Bruce & Anthony McCarten)
UK 2014
123 mins
Biopic
W: Anthony McCarten [based on the book "Travelling To
Infinity: My Life With Stephen Hawking" by Jane Wilde Hawking]
DP: Benoît Delhomme
Ed: Jinx Godfrey
Mus: Jóhan Jóhannsson
Eddie Redmayne (Stephen Hawking), Felicity
Jones (Jane Hawking), Charlie Cox (Jonathan Jones), Emily Watson (Beryl Wilde), Simon McBurney (Frank Hawking), David Thewlis (Dennis Sciama)
Whether or not you've studied any of his work, you should
at least have an inkling of who Stephen Hawking is, so that should make this review a lot easier without the need to get into his scientific theories and all that hubbub.
This biopic only mentioned his work on the periphery of
the story and focuses almost entirely on his relationship with his first wife, Jane, from their introduction at Cambridge University through to the publishing of his much-heralded book "A
Brief History Of Time".
Perhaps some liberties are taken with the facts in favour
of this dramatic reconstruction but it all seems rather feasible and tasteful to the Hawking family.
Eddie Redmayne is a revelation. Totally convincing as the
Motor Neurone Syndrome-suffering theorist and won a thoroughly merited Oscar for his performance.
It must be said though, that Felicity Jones didn't receive
anywhere near enough credit for her portrayal of his on-screen partner, who pledged her life & love to him following his diagnosis. She completely lights up the screen with her
resplendent performance, equally deserving of a Best Actress Oscar.
Have some hankies at the ready when watching this, it will
most certainly tug at the heartstrings, at least theoretically.
8/10
