The Theory of Everything-2014

Director James Marsh

Starring Eddie Redmayne, Felicity Jones

Scott’s Review #199

Reviewed December 2, 2014

Grade: A-

The Theory of Everything (2014) tells the uplifting true story of renowned theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking (played by Eddie Redmayne) and his lifelong battle with a debilitating illness- motor neuron disease, which he was diagnosed with in college.

He and his future wife, literature student Jane Wilde (played by Felicity Jones), meet in 1963 at the prestigious Cambridge University in England and fall madly in love.

From there, the film follows their lifelong love affair and Stephen’s subsequent health battles.

Redmayne is wonderful in the lead role.

Portraying a character with both speech and mobility deterioration is not an easy task, especially as the problems become worse and worse over time, forcing the actor to express varying levels of disability.

Redmayne rises to the occasion with both believability and conviction, making his portrayal as real as possible.

The performance fondly reminded me of another great physical performance, Daniel Day-Lewis in My Left Foot from 1989.

Redmayne is a rising star in Hollywood.

Felicity Jones is also good, though I feel many actresses could have handled the role, and her part has less meat than Redmayne’s.

The rest of the cast is British, which makes the film feel authentic. Emily Watson, who plays Jane’s mother, shamefully receives only one scene. Was this talented actress’s role cut?

I get the sense the filmmakers had Oscar in mind, as the film is geared toward mainstream audiences with a wholesome slant.

The film skims past the complex theories and mathematical aspects and focuses more on the inspirational tale of a person overcoming an immense challenge.

Furthermore, the subsequent quadrangle between Hawking, Jane, Jane’s choir leader (Jonathan), and Hawking’s nurse (Elaine) is toned down and sanitized.

Hawking’s family accused his nurse of abusing him, which is never mentioned in the film.

The film presents their relationship as wonderful, so some facts have clearly been softened or omitted altogether, for a more moral feel.

The situation involving the four real-life characters is messy, but the film makes it seem sweet. Presumably, this is because all the characters are still alive.

This is an interesting aspect of the film and is less a criticism than a perception. Many films embellish reality for entertainment value.

The pairing of Jane and Jonathan seemed inevitable from the moment they met. They had much in common (religion), whereas Stephen and Jane were complete opposites- she was catholic, he was an atheist.

The sexual chemistry between Stephen and Elaine was evident from the moment they met. Elaine’s energetic sexiness contrasts sharply with Jane’s haggard, weary look at that point in the film.

The film isn’t designed to be a downer, as it could have been. The focus might have been sadder. Rather, it is sentimental and empowering.

The Theory of Everything (2014) is a heartwarming, conventional human story about a man rising above adversity, and at its center is a dynamic performance by Eddie Redmayne.

Oscar Nominations: 1 win-Best Picture, Best Actor-Eddie Redmayne (won), Best Actress-Felicity Jones, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Original Score