“The Theory of Everything” Directed by James Marsh

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Director:

James Marsh (“Man on Wire”)

Main Cast:

Eddie Redmayne (“My Week with Marilyn”, “Les Misérables”)

Felicity Jones (This is the first movie I’ve seen her in)

Emma Watson (“Breaking the Waves”, “Gosford Park”, “Punch Drunk Love”)

Running Time:  123 Minutes

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Based on Stephen Hawking’s ex-wife Jane’s 2008 book, “Travelling to Infinity:  My Life with Stephen”, “The Theory of Everything” covers the time period of their relationship, which began before Stephen’s ALS symptoms (they both went on to marry other people).  I personally knew little about Hawking other than a vague knowledge of his theory about black holes and that he then worked on disproving that theory.  I had no idea he was British.  I figured by his voice work on The Simpsons he has a sense of humor.  When I saw the first trailers, I braced myself for “My Left Foot 2”, and saw the movie as an Oscar® vehicle for Eddie Redmayne, which is what it is.

After the highly-charged movies I’ve reviewed this year, I’m not sure if it was a relief or disappointment to see a straight-forward story about a real life person.  While I enjoyed watching the movie and it was over before I knew it, I don’t think there is anything necessarily noteworthy in terms of content or storytelling style, which is disappointing given how compelling a figure Hawking is.  I really didn’t learn much about him I didn’t know before.  Stephen (Redmayne) and Jane (Felicity Jones) go through the good times and bad times of any family with children, but augmented and complicated by Hawkings’ brilliance, fame and ALS.  What’s emphasized is Jane’s unwavering support (again, the movie is based on her book) and Stephen’s positive outlook, which comes through most in his wit and sense of humor.  The emotional story is told well and all the acting is good, headed by Redmayne’s sure-to-be-Oscar-nominated performance.

The physical demands on Redmayne (according to imdb, an osteopath told him he altered the curve of his spine by hunching and being motionless between takes), his dramatic weight loss, and the fact he is playing a high-profile real person all combine to make his performance geared toward Oscar voters.  Everything else in the movie is secondary, which isn’t surprising.  Personally, I’m not sure it takes as much creativity for an actor to do an impersonation of someone with distinctive characteristics as it takes to flesh out an original character.  (Translation:  I want Michael Keaton to win the Best Actor Oscar.)

“The Theory of Everything” is emotional, sentimental, uplifting, and a movie you feel good about as you leave the theatre.  After the dust settles, though, it doesn’t leave much of a lingering impact.  And there’s something about the fact the couple is no longer married that takes away from the movie’s “happily ever after” ending.

DPW

December 10, 2014

Redmayne, Jones, and the cast all snagged SAG nominations this morning.   Here’s the list:   http://www.sagawards.org/awards/nominees-and-recipients/21st-annual-screen-actors-guild-awards

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