The Theory of Everything – Love is in the equation

The Theory of Everything is a supremely acted biopic about the life of genius astrophysicist and author Stephen Hawking, played by rising star Eddie Redmayne (My Week with Marilyn). The film’s intimate script, intelligent direction, stirring soundtrack, and top notch acting earned this British production five Oscar nominations. Set in the 1960s, The Theory of Everything is based on a book by Hawking’s first wife, Jane, mostly eschewing science in favor of highlighting their remarkable  relationship.

Oscar-winning director James Marsh (Man on Wire) opens the film with Hawking as an undergraduate at Cambridge University, where he is reading Theoretical Physics. The budding scientist quickly makes an impression on Professor Dennis Sciama (David Thewlis) and falls madly in love with a beguiling slip of a thing called Jane Wilde, brilliantly portrayed by English actress Felicity Jones (The Invisible Woman).

Then our protagonist begins to notice his trembling hands as he composes mathematical equations. When he dramatically slumps to the ground on campus, a cat scan in an austere hospital reveals a diagnosis of Motor Neuron Disease.  Head swirling, the angry 21-year-old is forced to process the brutal news that he will be confined to a wheelchair and may possibly die within the next two years. Thankfully the couple’s blossoming relationship does not falter. Defying the odds, Hawking marries Jane and has three healthy children. In a heartbreaking scene, where he is no longer able to walk, Hawking can only smile up at his young son, perched by the safety gate at the top of the stairs – Yet he never loses his dignity.

With Steely Jane running the show, Hawking embarks on his studies of time, quantum theories, and black hole dynamics, stunning us with his unstinting determination. Redmayne’s physical likeness to Hawking, and his investment in the film, is tantamount to its success. From his signature tilted head, broad grin and awkward charm, Redmayne gets more believable in every scene.

Many cinematic moments and plenty of rich material elevate the film along the way. Following the advice of her mother (Emily Watson), Jane already a church goer, joins the choir and begins to fall for Jonathan Hellyer, the attractive choir director (well played by Charlie Cox). Jonathan, a respectful man, provides much-needed support to the family despite untrue rumors of an affair between him and Jane.

After Hawking suddenly falls ill with Pneumonia, poor Jane is forced to make the agonizing choice for her husband to have a tracheotomy in order to bring him out of his coma. Even with a total loss of speech, Hawking finds a way to communicate his theories using a device that generates words pronounced with a robotic American accent!

The family soon hires a live-in-nurse, Elaine Mason (Maxine Peake), who Hawking invites to America for his book release for “A Theory of Time.” Although Stephen and Jane eventually split up, their connection forever remains. It was fitting that Jane was present for his Knighthood at Buckingham Palace.

Part biopic and part love story, this film does a wonderful job of celebrating love in spite of all the challenges and highlights the extraordinary life of a man who defied all expectations personally, physically and professionally. One of the year’s best biopics – Redmayne (himself a Cambridge graduate) knocks it out of the park and is a cert to win the Academy Award for Best Best Actor in a Leading Role.