Reviewed by Victor Rebikoff.
Director: James Marsh, Universal Pictures, PG, 123 Minutes.
The extraordinary life of the brilliant British theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking is superbly brought to the screen by director James Marsh (‘Shadow Dancer’) who based his story on Jane Hawking’s book, Travelling to Infinity – My Life with Stephen.
As the movie opens Hawking (Eddie Redmayne – ‘Les Miserables’) appears as a shy university undergraduate whose falling for fellow student Jane (Felicity Jones – ‘On the Basis of Sex’) prior to his sudden collapse due to the onset of motor neurone disease.
In spite of Hawking’s life-threatening, debilitating disease the pair still get married, which leaves Jane to cope with the daily challenges of her husband’s deteriorating condition.
As Hawking’s academic accomplishments are acknowledged, his body becomes more dysfunctional – triggering the first strains in his relationship with Jane and causing her to find emotional support from her church and a caring organist named Jonathan (Charlie Cox – ‘Hello Carter’).
There are heart-breaking scenes which show Jane’s exceptional efforts to cater to Hawking’s every need, as well as look after their three children.
What is most appealing about Marsh’s movie is that it highlights not only Hawking’s major achievements as a cosmologist (resulting in the publication of his bestseller A Brief History of Time) but his somewhat difficult relationship with wife Jane.
It is hard to imagine a more difficult role than portraying Hawking’s character especially taking on his physical disability, a phenomenal performance that won Redmayne the Best Actor Award at the 2015 Academy Awards, the BAFTAS and the Golden Globes.
In some respects, Marsh’s production is both an inspirational biographical drama and a love story with Jones’ characterisation of Jane being quite charming and impressive as she provides the right amount of compassion and resilience required of her role.
In addition, the most memorable moments in Marsh’s romantic drama are due largely to the perfectly pitched performances of Redmayne and Jones, particularly the inspiring storyline that makes this biopic of the distinguished physicist such an unmissable movie experience.
It should therefore come as no surprise that ‘The Theory of Everything’ is now considered one of the best films of 2014.
Vic’s Verdict: 4 ½ Stars
Theory Of Everything is being televised on Channel 7FLIX at 16.30pm on Saturday 9 October.
