the fresh films reviews

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The Theory of Everything (2014)

Director:
James Marsh
COUNTRY
United Kingdom
GENRE
Drama/Biography
NORWEGIAN TITLE
The Theory of Everything
RUNNING TIME
123 minutes
Producers:
Tim Bevan
Eric Fellner
Lisa Bruce
Anthony McCarten
Screenwriter (based on a novel by Jane Wilde Hawking):
Anthony McCarten


Cast includes:

CHARACTER ACTOR/ACTRESS RATING
Stephen Hawking Eddie Redmayne ½
Jane Wilde Hawking Felicity Jones
Jonathan Jones Charlie Cox ½
Beryl Wilde Emily Watson
Frank Hawking Simon McBurney
Dennis Sciama David Thewlis
Elaine Mason Maxine Peake
Brian Harry Lloyd
Isobel Hawking Abigail Cruttenden
Swiss doctor Frank Leboeuf

 

Review

This biopic about the life and works of Stephen Hawking is a captivating study of the terrible disease ALS, and how living with and around it can be. As most people know, Hawking is well-known for being the longest ever survivor of ALS, but he's also one of the world's leading theoretical physicists, something The Theory of Everything for some reason seems a little less interested in exploring. Instead, director James Marsh (Man on Wire) structures his film as a love story between Hawking and his wife of thirty years, Jane – and the struggles they face as Hawking gets gradually more impeded by his condition. The brilliant performances by the two lead actors drive this drama forward and evokes a full spectre of emotions, and it's especially heart-rending to witness Hawking's bodily decay up-close, magnificently portrayed by Eddie Redmayne who delves into this with heart, soul and mannerisms. Despite some familiar plot structuring, the drama feels authentic, perhaps because the film enters into rather unexplored territory. Still, I had hoped from a director of Marsh's calibre that he had dared to go deeper into Hawking's mind and thinking, however theoretical it might be. The title makes that promise.

Copyright © 3.3.2015 Fredrik Gunerius Fevang

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