THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING
The British have a seemingly infinite capacity for romanticising their own scientific achievements and we love to praise the brilliant minds who have changed the world through their thinking, even though we continue to cut funding to the organisations who nurture those very same minds.
The Theory of Everything is the story of Professor Stephen Hawking and chronicles both his staggering scientific achievements and incredible personal life in a romantic and easily digestible way. Eddie Redmayne puts in an amazing (and indeed award winning) performance as the brilliant physicist and Felicity Jones is equally startlingly as the woman who falls in love with him.
Hawking’s discoveries are presented in a very straightforward and readily understandable form. Clever analogies, told in a casual way by the supporting cast, fill in the gaps. Arguably, much of the explanations owe more to fiction than to fact, but The Theory of Everything is about the story behind Hawking first and everything else second. Redmayne portrays Hawking’s physical deterioration in a convincing and heartbreaking way. He also keeps Hawking’s personality consistent throughout; the brilliant spark that animates the young man we meet at the start of the movie is still there at the end. Jones is similarly believable and draws you in to her personal story. Her performance is nothing short of incredible, and easily on par of that of her male co-star. The two main characters are very, very different and this essential conflict, bound with their love for each other, drives the drama forward.
The movie is based on a book written by Stephen Hawing’s first wife, Jane. The story told on the screen is very sanitised and incredibly civilised. It feels unbelievable in places and it’s important to remember that this is not a biography; it’s a story of two brilliant and brave people who are forced to deal with impossible circumstances.
The Theory of Everything is a remarkable movie about remarkable people. It’s not really about science and it’s not quite fiction, but it’s absolutely worth your time.
INFO: THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING / CERT: 12 / DIRECTOR: JAMES MARSH / SCREENPLAY: ANTHONY McCARTEN / STARRING: EDDIE REDMAYNE, FELICITY JONES / RELEASE DATE: MAY 21ST
