The Theory of Everything

5 / 5

Simply, an incredible story of 2 extraordinary people.

(Eddie Redmayne received the Best Actor Oscar, BAFTA and Golden Globe for his portrayal of Stephen Hawking. The film has won 19 awards out of its 95 nominations.)

Starring: Eddie Redmayne, Felicity Jones, Charlie Cox, Emily Watson, Simon McBurney, David Thewlis, Maxine Peake, Harry Lloyd)

IMDb Rating: 7.8



Release Date: 1st January 2015 (UK)

Stephen Hawking, the most recognisable scientist of the 21st century due to his speech-generating device that projects a voice which is now known throughout the world, cause by the onset of motor neuron disease. He has achieved fame through a hardly fought battle with the disease and his extraordinary survival which has given him enough time to produce ground-breaking research in theoretical physics and cosmology. His A Brief History of Time has sold over 10 million copies and was a Times Bestseller for a record-breaking 4 years. Due to his scientific success and recognisable voice he has also become somewhat of a cameo fixture in TV and film. He has appeared on The Simpsons, The Big Bang Theory, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Futurama and many more. But now, with the adaptation of Jane Wilde Hawking’s memoir Travelling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen, Hawking is now granted a film dedicated to his extraordinary battle with MND, the strides he has made in science and the love and life he has shared with Jane. The Theory of Everything is a beautiful, funny and inspiring film that leaves you admiring Stephen and Jane an immense amount.

Eddie Redmayne deservedly took all the plaudits at the last Oscars for his believable and touching portrayal of Hawking, and I am sure he knows how privileged he was to be able to play such an inspirational, intelligent and charismatic man. But despite Redmayne receiving all the acclaim and awards, I believed that Felicity Jones was equally brilliant as the loving, devoted and brilliant woman that proves that the famous quote is quite true. “Behind every great man is a great woman.” And in this case, it is absolutely true. When Stephen is diagnosed with MND and is given just 2 years left to live, Jane stands by him because she loves him and this love is evident throughout the film. The beautiful and talented Felicity Jones, in my opinion deserved some awards for her brilliant portrayal of Jane, but alas it was not to be.

I think I could eulogise forever and a day about the remarkable Stephen Hawking and Jane, but this was only meant to be a brief review of the film, so I’ll have to hold back on the superlatives and lavish praise for today at least. One thing that surprised me quite a bit was Stephen’s humour that was ever-present in his life, whether it was with University friends at Cambridge, with Jane or at scientific conferences. He always seemed to have kept his clever wit and dry humour even with the dilapidating illness taken over his life more and more as the years passed by.

A highly recommended film that provides the story of a man that has etched his name in history, not only for his scientific research and accomplishments, but for his remarkable battle and in some ways victory against MND and defeating the countless predictions of an early death. It is not just the story of 1 remarkable man, but also a remarkable woman. Jane will now receive a well earned appreciation from many people for her love and devotion that has kept Stephen alive and allowed him to achieve his scientific research and breakthroughs. A brilliant coming-of-age romantic drama that is a must see.