100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 10: The Theory of Everything

Director: James Marsh

Genre: Drama/ Romance

Runtime: 123 minutes

Year: 2014

Starring: Eddie Redmayne, Felicity Jones, David Thewlis, Charlie Cox, Simon McBurney, Emily Watson Tom Prior, Sophie Perry, Finlay Writgh-Stephens, Harry Lloyd, Alice Orr-Ewing, Thomas Morrison, Michael Marcus, Gruffudd Glyn, Paul Longley, Guy Oliver-Watts, Frank Lebeouf

Description: A look at the relationship between the famous physicist Stephen Hawking and his wife.

Review: They always say that behind every successful man there is a strong woman. With Stephen Hawking that’s no exception. “The Theory of Everything” is based on the memoirs by Jane Hawking, where she tells the story of her life with Stephen. In the early sixties cosmology student Stephen Hawking meets fellow Cambridge student Jane Wilde: it’s love at first sight. His romance with Jane develops, but the subject of his paper worries his teacher. When he finally finds the right subject, fate strikes. His motor skills deteriorate and lead to ALS. Although Stephen is only given two years, Jane decides to stay with him. He manages to write his paper and gets recognition for his work. Along the way Jane sees that Stephen’s decease is harder on her then she thought.

“The Theory of Everything” is more for the fans of romance, then the scientists. The story focuses more on his personal life then the interesting theories he has come up with in his life. I was hoping that his actual work would stand out more in this movie. Eddie Redmayne plays Stephen Hawking and does that with great conviction. Especially the minimal facial expression are done very well. Felicity Jones, as Jane, shows us the path from optimistic girl to depressed woman. Very well acted by her.

Although the movie is focused on Stephen and Jane, it never gets overly dramatic. It’s all very subtle and also respectful to Hawking’s decease. The leap in time, with the use of home video’s, feels you personally involved.

“The Theory of Everything” is a good film. Redmayne and Jones are both very strong in their roles, which is probably the best thing about the film.

Rating: 3,5/ 5