My Best Picture countdown continues with The Theory of Everything, a film with one of the best acting performances delivered all year.
The Theory of Everything is directed by James Marsh and is the biographical tale of Stephen Hawking's life, how he formulated the theories which would make him famous and his battle against Motor Neurones disease. The film has recently been nominated for Best Picture, and all the buzz surrounding this film revolves around Eddie Redmayne's lead performance as Stephen Hawking.
Buzz which is fully justified. Redmayne's performance as Stephen Hawking is just as uplifting as it is sombre and heartbreaking. Not only was he able to channel raw, human emotion through his portrayal, but the physical commitment Redmayne had to sell makes this acting performance as one of the year's standouts. Most performances require an actor to sell a physical role for a film's entirety, The Theory of Everything sees Redmayne have to constantly adapt to the needs of his character as his symptoms start to deteriorate.
It's an emotional film for sure, but it's also a interesting watch. The science within the film is not incomprehensible, rather accessible and engaging for it's audience. However, I feel some may be disappointed that The Theory of Everything is more of a love story and a tale of how his family had to battle his disease alongside him as opposed to an exploration of the scientific theories that have made Hawking a household name.
The film also does an excellent job at balancing its human drama with humour. Not all situations are 100% doom and gloom and depressing, to make situations better humans inject humour into it. This dynamic the screenplay had made the film more enjoyable and more real.
Felicity Jones is also really good as Hawking's wife and her character offers a new perspective to the character of Stephen Hawking. While she is caring, she also gives the film a "Religion vs Science" dynamic which allowed Hawking and his wife to bounce off each other and the actors to refine their chemistry with each other. I found it surprising that a film so embroiled in science should have a religious wrapped within it.
The musical score is also really good, but The Theory of Everything didn't always work as a drama for me. When Hawking is initially diagnosed with the Motor Neurones disease, the impact it has rests solely on his character, of course, and his wife's. While he interacts with his father and other family members later on in the film, we never get to see the emotional impact that his diagnosis had on them. Had they explored that, then the film's emotional crux would've been far more affective. I have had a family member diagnosed and die because of Motor Neurones disease, and had it's impact focused on his family this film would've really hit home for me.
Also, a love triangle of sorts develops within the film which for me was dull and uninteresting to watch unfold. You know it is going to happen, and when it does it happens as predictably and obviously as you thought it would. There was a point in this film where I started to hate Hawking's wife because of the affections she was having for another man. While I can understand that the toll of caring 24/7 for Hawking would take it out on you, the film never explored that enough for me to sympathize with her character.
But I think if you're a fan of great acting, The Theory of Everything is a must see. While the screenplay and the pacing has issues, Redmayne's committed performance is nothing short of great and elevates the film to be better than it should be:
Rating - B-
Only Selma left to go before I've seen all of the Best Picture nominations, review coming soon!
Thanks for reading,
Matt
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