The Theory of Everything is a British made film, directed by James Marsh and staring Eddie Redmayne, Felicity Jones, Charlie Cox and David Thewlis. The biographical drama follows closely the novel, ’Travelling to Infinity: My life with Stephen’ which is written by Jane Hawking, previous wife of Professor Stephen Hawking.
Stephen Hawking is known internationally for his astounding contribution to theoretical physics and the understanding of gravitational theorems and his work in the field of general relativity. But above all he is known throughout the world for being a medical phenomenon. Stephen Hawking was diagnosed with motor neurone disease at the age of just 21 and was given just a few years to live. Initially, he and everyone around him was devastated. However Stephen learnt to love life with everything he had, claiming that, ‘before my condition was diagnosed, I had been very bored with life.’ After his diagnosis Stephen was hit with the realisation that he may never complete his PhD. Despite this he did achieve his PhD and after his diagnosis went on to marry and have three children. In present day, Stephen continues to be an inspiration to many and in doing so provides us all with a life story which is fundamental as it embodies the life of one of the greatest scientists in human history.
The Theory of Everything is a phenomenal film. Often, the word ‘phenomenal’ is over used to describe just above average films, books and TV shows ect. However I saw Eddie Redmayne’s performance in The Theory of Everything and it was phenomenal. The stance, the facial expressions, and the mannerisms all reflected my imagination and how I have always perceived Stephen Hawking. Before filming Eddie Redmayne even spent time with Stephen Hawking and this has been proved to be affective as his astounding performance mirrors the very person that is Stephen Hawing. As a result of his performance, Eddie is nominated for best actor in the annual Oscar academy awards in America. The film itself is expertly directed by James Marsh. In his directing the film depicts eloquently the life of Stephen Hawking as he is crippled by the fatal motor neurone disease which impacts his own life and the people around him. The film takes the viewer on a journey of discovery behind the man we all know of, but have never really learnt much about. Before watching this film, I had no idea of Stephen Hawking’s life outside of Science and I was shocked to discover the extent of his personal life and the challenges he and his family faced.
Before watching this film, I had no idea of Stephen Hawking’s life outside of Science and I was shocked to discover the extent of his personal life and the challenges he and his family faced.
The film follows Stephen from his first days as a young student at Cambridge University when he is studying for a PhD. Not even half way through his PhD he is given the news that he has motor neurone disease, known amongst most medics of the time to be incurable and with a life expectancy of just a few years. The film shows Stephen as he cuts himself off from his fellow friends at Cambridge and his girlfriend, Jane Wilde. Thus through expert cinematography the viewer realises how isolated Stephen Hawking became during the years of his life which should have been full of adventure and discovery. However this step back did not stop him in his road to completing a PhD.
Through the help of his friends and the support of his girlfriend Jane, Stephen is able to grab life with both hands as he attempts to fight and tackle his illness. As the film develops, so does Stephen Hawking’s condition. With time he deteriorates as his body cannot carry out normal day to day bodily functions. Gradually he needs more and more help from others and has to rely on the support of his (then wife) Jane.
The film itself stresses the strain Stephen’s condition puts on Jane and his children at the time. Jane has to spend a lot of her time looking after Stephen and sometimes the children are abandoned for the sake of Stephen’s condition. The Theory of Everything portrays this disease to have a greater impact than I initially assumed. The disease controls Stephen’s life and everyone else's lives around him. In particular the film focuses on the relationship between Stephen and Jane. Jane is played by actress Felicity Jones, her expert performance enables the audience to realise the strain which a life threatening disease can put on a relationship. Furthermore the film manages to depict throughout the constant struggle that Stephen’s condition brings to his own family. The acting from all points of view is astoundingly life like, as being part of an audience for a screening of The Theory of Everything I can confirm that the film made me feel completely involved with the tragic, real life story which Stephen still carries with him even to this day.
As the annual Academy Oscar Awards approaches all eyes are on Eddie Redmayne for his chance to pick up an award for best male actor in this film. Currently only 16 British male actors have won this prestigious award. However for now the ceremony still awaits as the battle against Benedict Cumberbatch and his role as Alan Turing in The Imitation Game and Eddie Redmayne and his performance as Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything awaits a verdict. I have seen both nominated performances and forgive me if I am biased, but I would most definitely give the award to Eddie Redmayne. Additionally, only recently did Eddie Redmayne pick up the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor and also he won the award for Best Actor in the SAG (screen actors guild award) to which he dedicated this to, “those people around the world living with ALS, to those who have lost their lives to this brutal disease." Hopes remain high for Eddie Redmayne and this astounding performance of a generation, however only time will tell us whether he will receive this award.
