The Theory of Everything Review

RYAN: This new Stephen Hawking biopic is already an Oscar contender, garnering much buzz for leading man Eddie Redmayne, which I’m so glad about because I’ve always liked him and he is so deserving in this – but he is really equalled in performance here by his costar Felicity Jones as his wife; not hearing as much buzz about her but she was so fantastic.  Each year we get many biopics.  They are always great opportunities for good actors and many of them are worthy of adapting one’s profound life to the screen; but in this case, with the importance of Professor Hawking, you really feel how deserving this film is and how beautifully it honors him: what he’s accomplished but also his struggle with ALS.

ERIK: I didn’t know Felicity Jones though she does look familiar to me.  I was also impressed with her performance and how the screenplay handled her character.  The movie acknowledges the difficulties and strain upon a relationship where one in it is forced to be a full time caregiver.  And then the introduction of the character Jonathan was very interesting, without giving anything away.

RYAN: Yes no spoilers.  He’s played by Charlie Cox, who’s one of my favorite actors from Stardust.

ERIK: He’s great.  I just love how the movie didn’t gloss over the challenges and go for “love conquers all.”  It’s really a very smart script and this movie illustrates more of the struggle than A Beautiful Mind, which has some parallels to this one.  This movie actually tackles the tough parts.

RYAN: I do like how this movie not only celebrates the brilliant physicist that he is but also the relationships in his life – his wife, kids, colleagues.  You feel it from all angles.  And so much of it all comes back to the meticulous performance by Eddie.

ERIK: Yes. It’s got to be a challenge fro an actor to express so much with limited mobility.  He could have just been in the chair but he really was so expressive.  To express yourself when you can’t express and the little ways he did that was astonishing.  There’s a great scene when he first uses the computer generated voice and he still brings to much emotion to it.  It’s such a powerful performance.

RYAN: And you can just see how much attention he paid to every detail, really throwing himself in this role.  Many actors change cadence or the way the move for a role but Eddie really goes above and beyond to bring a realness to Stephen’s experience.  And the profession is so slow – it’s not like he just had to go right to full paralysis.  He shows each stage.  The physical demands for this role were incredible.  Everything from his neck to his feet, fingers, face – it was everything.

ERIK: I really enjoyed the cinematography and design in this film, especially in the 60s.  There’s great score and a cool camera shot, pulling back from the bridge.  It’s all very well made.

RYAN: It’s all very artistically done and the cinematography is terrific.    The period does feel authentic and not just his big glasses.  All the costuming, makeup, hairstyles.. very true.The coloring of the film is interesting too.  Some of the church scenes look more green and stylized differently than other scenes in the film.  They play with things tonally.

ERIK: There’s orange, blue, it’s a color coded movie.  And as it becomes more modern day, it looks more regular.

RYAN: Hie professor is played by David Thewlis, who I loved as Prof Lupin in the Harry Potter movies.

ERIK: Stephen Hawking went to Hogwarts.

RYAN: (laughs) Of course, he doesn’t turn into a werewolf here but it’s still cool seeing him as a professor again.

ERIK: I liked this movie so much more than I thought I would, based on the trailer.  I thought some of the humor would be schmaltzy.  But it was genuine and the humor was always very appropriate to the scenes.

RYAN: It all works and that a combo of the script and the performances.  It’s an Oscar caliber film and we’ll see some nominations.  It’s time to start the races!  I’m just amazed how Stephen was only given two years to live but beat the odds and has been productive and changed the world.  This movie is heartbreaking but also very inspiring.

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