Review: The Theory of Everything
Extraordinary.
That word easily describes both Jane and Stephen Hawking. Especially after watching this.
The film takes a look at Dr. Stephen Hawking (Eddie Redmayne), a now world famous physicist and his first wife, Jane (Felicity Jones) when they first meet at Cambridge University. Early on in their relationship is when Hawking is diagnosed with motor neuron disease which slowly destroys him physically, but Jane vows to fight with him.
I never read Traveling to Infinity, Jane's memoir of which this film is based, but I knew enough about it to be a little concerned with the way they were initially advertising this as some epic love story when in fact, things were very difficult for them. I'm glad I see I was wrong about that first impression. The film captures both their love and hardships.
Redmayne and Jones are both spectacular here. I can't say enough about how great their performances are. The film is shot beautifully and had a lovely score on top of it. I can see how some would think this is obvious Oscar bait, I believe it deserves all the recognition it's getting. It went far above my expectations.
Recommended: Yes
Grade: A
Memorable Quote: "I have loved you. I tried my best." - Jane (Felicity Jones)
The two leads were really great, I just thought the film was a little to Oscar bait-ish. I think there was just too much melodrama.
ReplyDeleteI definitely can see that, but I got swept up in it. Loved it.
DeleteGlad you liked it, it didn't work out as well for me :) The biggest emotion I had during this was oh WOW when Viserys Targaryen showed up.
ReplyDeleteBut yeah the score was gorgeous.
He's hard to spot without that silver wig ;) lol I loved that Charlie Cox was in it. He was one of my favorite on Boardwalk Empire.
DeleteI'm sorry but this movie is just plain bad. Though Redmayne and Jones are nothing short of great, there is nothing about Hawking here. He's just a man with this illness. The melodrama is depicted in the same way we saw many many times. And that scene in which he picks up the pen? That's just playing dirty. I wish there had been at least one scene who did not try to make you cry. Really, this is what happens when oscar bait goes really too over the top. And james Marsh is nowhere to be found. I agreed, score and cinematography are excellent.
ReplyDeleteAh, I'm sorry you didn't like it. I felt the movie was more about how Jane dealt with everything than Stephen did. Him picking up the pen, I think that was supposed to be symbolic over how he doesn't believe in God. But I do get the melodrama argument. I just thought it rose above that.
DeleteI am very intrigued by this movie. I am so glad you loved it!
ReplyDeleteIt's so well done!
DeleteI liked it, even if it felt too Oscar-friendly. I wouldn't nominate either actor, but I'm glad to see Redmayne and Jones getting Oscar attention.
ReplyDeleteOh, I thought they were both wonderful and deserve those Oscar nominations that they're going to get. lol
DeleteI agree they deserve nominations from a consensus standpoint. I just wouldn't put either performance in my personal lead lineups. ;)
DeleteMy thing with this movie is that even though the two performances from the leads were good, the material backing them up just didn't really do it for me, or even for them. It was just so ordinary, that it felt like a bit of a waste for a Stephen Hawking biopic. Good review Brittani.
ReplyDeleteI really do think it was meant to be more Jane's story than Stephen's. About how she dealt with everything. Helping him and raising three kids sounds like SO much work. It's hard to even imagine.
Delete"I have loved you. I tried my best."
ReplyDeleteI loved that quote too. I was quite impressed with how emphasis the film places on Jane. It's almost more her story than it is his.
I picked that quote because that scene made me cry. Ugly cry face too.
DeleteWasn't it based off of her biography? That may be why it emphasizes her alot, which is something I'm glad for
DeleteIt was, yes. I think this is definitely more Jane's story.
DeleteI've only seen a couple of things of Redmayne and Jones but I like both of them. This sounds like a career-making turn for both of them, I'll be sure to rent it as soon as it comes out!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely. I've seen Redmayne in quite a few things, and he's always been talented. I loved Jones in Like Crazy and Breathe In. This is definitely their best performances.
DeleteI still need to see this. I love both of these actors from their other films. I'm especially interested since it has gotten such mixed reviews; you seemingly either love it or dislike it.
ReplyDeleteThe one complaint that I don't understand is the one that says there was no plot. I never got that impression.
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