The Theory of Everything (PG15) – starring Eddie Redmayne, Felicity Jones and Tom Prior, directed by James Marsh
There is an old-fashioned saying that “behind every great man, there is a great woman”. This film, based on the memoir by Stephen Hawking’s first wife, Jane Hawking, ‘Travelling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen’, might be proof that love, even when it’s not perfect or eternal, can indeed conquer all odds.
English theoretical physicist, cosmologist, astrophysicist and author Stephen Hawking is undoubtedly one of the greatest minds of our time.
The tough job of representing him on the silver screen fell to English actor Redmayne (Les Miserables, My Week with Marilyn). Redmayne plays a young Hawking during the 1960s as he falls in love with fellow Cambridge University student Jane Wilde – played by Felicity Jones (The Amazing Spiderman 2, The Invisible Woman).
Shortly after, he discovers aged 21, that he is suffering from motor neuron disease. Despite doctors giving him only two years to live, Hawking begins an ambitious study of time, gaining strength from having Wilde at his side. The film carries on with the story of their life, with the various hurdles the couple had to overcome.
Thanks to stints in commercial television – cue Futurama and The Big Bang Theory – Hawking has become a well-known figure beyond scientific academia. This film, part rom-com, part biopic, explores a time before he became the accomplished scientist we know today, when he was simply a man trying to overcome almost impossible physical and psychological obstacles.
Redmayne’s performance combined with tactful direction by the Academy Award winner Marsh (Man on Wire), mean that with the award season upon us, this film might be up for a gong or two.
The Theory of Everything hits cinemas Thursday 15th January.
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