Wes's Grade: B+
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| Eddie Redmayne as Stephen Hawking |
Everyone on the planet probably knows who renowned astrophysicist Stephen Hawking is, but you may not know who British actor Eddie Redmayne is (he has been in such movies as "My Week With Marilyn" and "Les Miserables." You will after seeing the compelling, uplifting new drama "The Theory of Everything," which features a remarkable, breakthrough turn from Redmayne as the famous scientist. "Theory" is the story of Hawking (Redmayne), and Cambridge student Jane Wilde (Felicity Jones), with whom he would fall deeply in love with and marry. Once a healthy, active young man, Hawking received an earth-shattering diagnosis at 21 years of age. With Jane fighting tirelessly by his side, Stephen embarks on his most ambitious scientific work, studying the very thing he now has precious little of - time. Directed by Oscar-winner James Marsh ("Man on Wire") and written by Andrew McCarten based on Jane Wilde Hawking's non-fiction novel "Traveling to Infinity: My Life With Stephen," "The Theory of Everything" is an entertaining, superbly acted biography of Hawking as well as a touching love story. Redmayne's transformative, tour-de-force turn is this year's Daniel Day Lewis or Matthew McConaughey, and he is the front-runner for Best Actor. Redmayne is effective at capturing some of Hawking's subtleties, from when he was first diagnosed as he continues to morph into the famous scientist we know today. The last act, when Hawking loses his voice and speaks through a computer (that's Hawking's real computerized voice for the film), Redmayne must use his body to convey emotion, and does so magnificently, most memorably in a moving scene when he and Jane must part ways after many years of marriage. As wonderful as Redmayne is, as his long-suffering, incredibly courageous wife who stuck by his side, Jones also shines in an Oscar-worthy performance, especially in the final act. "The Theory of Everything" isn't without its flaws: as with any bio movies, it's not expansive, overlooking many details of Hawking's life, and it retains a cheerful, upbeat tone even after Hawking's seemingly fateful diagnosis, lacking a dark, hard-hitting edge to it. Still, "The Theory of Everything" is a poignant tribute to Hawking, and a moving love story, even after Stephen and Jane grow apart. It's also worth a look for two Oscar-worthy performances from Redmayne and Jones. Put this one on your must-see list.
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