A review of The Theory of Everything (2014)
Directed by James Marsh
Stephen Hawking may very well be one of the most well known scientists of the modern age. While we may be aware of his myriad accomplishments, we know little about the man behind the persona.
The Theory of Everything is based on a memoir of Hawking's long relationship with his wife Jane Wilde. It is a relationship full of ups and downs, thanks to a variety of factors, including Hawking's state of health and that notion of living behind the shadow of celebrity.
The film does not focus on the scientific achievements of Hawking's career, rather it tells a more personal story of two people and their unique relationship over time. Hawking may be after a theory to explain everything, but no theory can adequately explain how two people drift apart, and how love can be lost. (Yet.)
Eddie Redmayne gives an exceptional performance as Hawking, and Felicity Jones balances out with him very well. The film does have a number of fictional elements and is not as true to life for the sake of drama, but that's how the cookie crumbles for most of the semi-biopics this year.
It's a bit slow at times, but it's ultimately a nice film. Among the rest of its peers in the Oscar race, however, it tends to get lost in the noise.
It's a bit slow at times, but it's ultimately a nice film. Among the rest of its peers in the Oscar race, however, it tends to get lost in the noise.
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