Skip to content
PAUL'S TRIP TO THE MOVIES
Primary Navigation Menu
Menu
  • Home
  • About
  • The Archives
  • Interviews with the Cast and Crew
  • “HALLOWEEN” RETROSPECTIVE – 40 Years of Terror
  • EVERYBODY IS STILL A SUSPECT: A LOOK BACK AT SCREAM
  • THE DC EXTENDED UNIVERSE
  • The Bond, James Bond Challenge
  • MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE
  • Home
  • MY DEFINITIVE RANKING OF BATMAN ON THE BIG SCREEN

Movie Review: THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING

By Paul McGuire Grimes
On November 18, 2014
In Movie Reviews
Tagged Charlie Cox, David Thewlis, Eddie Redmayne, Emily Watson, Enzo Cilenti, Felicity Jones, James Marsh, The Theory of Everything

THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING
Director: James Marsh
Starring: Eddie Redmayne, Felicity Jones, David Thewlis, Enzo Cilenti, Charlie Cox, Emily Watson

Theory1

You better have Eddie Redmayne down as a frontrunner in your Oscar predictions. It’s too early to tell if he’s a lock for a win, but he will definitely hear his name called among the nominees for his role here as Stephen Hawking. In 1963, Hawking was earning his PhD while studying physics and cosmology at the University of Cambridge. While attending a party one night, he meets Jane Wilde, (Jones) and there is an infectious spark between them. They fall into deep conversation and before she leaves with her friend, she slips him a napkin with her number written on it. It’s hard not to feel all warm inside with the instant chemistry shown in this scene.

 

Theory2

During his first year at Cambridge, Stephen starts noticing some changes in his health as his speech starts to slur and he has trouble walking. After a tragic fall, he is forced to go to the hospital and is diagnosed with a motor neuron disease similar to ALS. He feels embarrassed and depleted after receiving a two year life expectancy. His inclination is to end his relationship with Jane, but her resilience and forcefulness wins out. She stands up for herself by telling him that, while it would affect their relationship, love conquers all. Even with his health in rapid decline, they marry and have three beautiful children. Life wasn’t always easy for the Hawkings as their relationship becomes tested when the reality of his health becomes more than their family can handle.

Theory3

If you think a film about Stephen Hawking is going to be a whirlwind of scientific concepts and overwhelming ideas, think again. This film is also not one of those biopics focused on just one person while their significant other is left as a poorly written supporting player. Anthony McCarten’s script is based off Jane Hawking’s book “Traveling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen” and focuses on their relationship instead of the contributions Stephen has had in his field. This exploration creates a beautiful story giving focus on both Stephen and Jane as a couple and as individuals.

Theory4

I think the idea of portraying Stephen Hawking sounds so unbelievably challenging that I can’t imagine many actors that would want to take on this task and do it justice. Eddie Redmayne (Les Misérables, My Week with Marilyn) gives one of the most captivating performances I have seen all year. The transformation he goes through in his ability to perfectly capture Hawking is quite staggering. He brings a sense of humor and wit to him when he first meets Jane, and as his health declines, it becomes truly heartbreaking to watch. Redmayne bears a striking resemblance to Hawking, and I never once thought of it as a showy performance. There’s honesty, precision, and care with how Redmayne went about becoming Stephen Hawking. The detail in his physicality is truly astonishing and cannot be taken for granted. It’s the kind of performance where the actor becomes lost and you feel like you are watching the real-life inspiration on screen.

Theory5

Felicity Jones (Like Crazy, The Amazing Spider-Man 2) deserves just as much credit for this movie as Redmayne does. She makes Jane a force to be reckoned with. There is a strength and determination to her as you realize the extremely important part she played in Stephen’s life. As the film progresses, you completely feel for her and the struggles she goes through when his health takes its toll on their family. I hope members of the Academy recognize her work as well. I will be curious to see if she is submitted in the lead actress or supporting actress category.

Theory6

Like I mentioned earlier, this is not a film about the groundbreaking achievements of Stephen Hawking. Director James Marsh (Man on Wire) gives the audience a glimpse into his personal life and the woman that changed his life for the better. He was given something to live for when he hit rock bottom after his initial diagnosis. Jones and Redmayne have such wonderful chemistry together right from their very first moments on screen. If you have studied Hawking’s work, you probably know more about the inner workings of their relationship and may be disappointed to know that some of the larger details of his life have been left out of the film. I was shamefully unaware of the specifics regarding his life and career, so this film provided me an insightful behind the scenes study. After this film and Interstellar, I regret not paying more attention in my physics classes in school. I may even go pick up Jane’s book or Hawking’s “A Brief History of Time” to continue my education.
Is It Worth Your Trip to the Movies? Jones and Redmayne are not to be missed.

RATING: 4 out of 5 TICKET STUBS

2014-11-18
Previous Post: Movie Review: DUMB AND DUMBER TO
Next Post: Movie Trailer: PITCH PERFECT 2

Archives

Follow Me on Social Media!

Twin Cities Live 8/5/22 – The Sandman, Not Okay, Luck Interviews & Reviews

https://youtu.be/oXrk5neagdY

Paul McGuire Grimes Talent Reel – Film Critic and Entertainment Reporter

https://youtu.be/iCDyIyYVYKA

Movie Reviews

They/Them - 2.5 Ticket Stubs, Peacock
Bodies Bodies Bodies - 4 Ticket Stubs, In theaters
Luck - 3 Ticket Stubs, AppleTV+
Easter Sunday - 3 Ticket Stubs, In theaters
Prey - 4 Ticket Stubs, Hulu
Not Okay - 4 Ticket Stubs, Hulu
Vengeance - 3.5 Ticket Stubs, In theaters
Anything's Possible - 3.5 Ticket Stubs, Amazon Prime Video
NOPE - 4 Ticket Stubs, In theaters
The Gray Man - 3.5 Ticket Stubs, Netflix
Where the Crawdads Sing - 3 Ticket Stubs, In theaters
Persuasion - 3 Ticket Stubs, Netflix
Thor: Love and Thunder- 4 Ticket Stubs, In theaters
Top Gun: Maverick- 4.5 Ticket Stubs, In Theaters

Streaming TV Reviews

The Sandman - 4 Ticket Stubs, Netflix
Uncoupled - 4 Ticket Stubs, Netflix
Surface - 3.5 Ticket Stubs, AppleTV+
Stranger Things Season 4, Vol. 2 - 4 Ticket Stubs, Netflix
Stranger Things Season 4, Vol. 1 - 3.5 Ticket Stubs, Netflix
Ms. Marvel - 3 Ticket Stubs, Disney+
Heartstopper - 4.5 Ticket Stubs, Netflix
The Offer - 3 Ticket Stubs, Paramount+

STRANGER THINGS Interview with Joseph Quinn on Finding Eddie Munson, Season 4, and more

https://youtu.be/_htIcphfl_A

TOP GUN: MAVERICK Cast Interviews | Miles Teller, Jon Hamm, Glen Powell, Jennifer Connelly on Cruise

https://youtu.be/x_YfGebKuK8

“Beautiful Boy” Q&A with Timothée Chalamet & Nic Sheff

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIPQIu04c9Q

Archives

  • Retrospectives
    • THE DC EXTENDED UNIVERSE
      • MY DEFINITIVE RANKING OF BATMAN ON THE BIG SCREEN
    • MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE
      • Marvel Cinematic Universe – Phase Four
      • Marvel Cinematic Universe-Phase Three
      • Marvel Cinematic Universe-Phase Two
      • Marvel Cinematic Universe-Phase One
      • X-MEN
    • Stand By Me (1986)
    • The Bond, James Bond Challenge
    • “HALLOWEEN” RETROSPECTIVE – 40 Years of Terror
    • EVERYBODY IS STILL A SUSPECT: A LOOK BACK AT SCREAM
  • Interviews with the Cast and Crew
  • Home Releases – New on BluRay, DVD, and Streaming
  • The Archives
  • Marvel
  • Home

Designed using Chromatic. Powered by WordPress.