Director: John Marsh
Starring: Eddie Redmayne, Felicia Jones and Charles Cox
‘A Breathtaking Biopic’
Few actors in Hollywood have abilities to entertain audiences like Eddie Redmayne. Following his rise to recognition during the 2000’s, Redmayne has become an icon in Hollywood. Whether it’s tales of professors, historical figures or transgenders, Redmayne has portrayed many characters. Arguably, Redmayne’s greatest strength as an actor is his commitment. He’s one of those actors that has always poured both his heart and soul into every single role. Shining a bright light, he has become one of the most celebrated actors in Hollywood earned the spotlight. Through his abilities to portray characters that prove to be compelling, Redmayne has built a legacy that is lasting. Throughout his career, Redmayne has portrayed several strong characters that are compelling. A British icon, Redmayne has become an actor from Britain that audiences have grown to cherish. Through the course of an illustrious career, Redmayne has appeared in many unforgettable movies which audiences value.
I’m a huge fan of Redmayne and adore all the movies he has made throughout his enduring career. However, “The Theory of Everything” is definitely my favourite. Ever since its release in 2011, Eddie Redmayne’s movie has stood test of time as a classic. Packed with breathtaking production-design, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best biopics ever made. At the centre of it all is an excellent performance from Eddie Redmayne. In one of his finest roles, Redmayne portrays intelligent personality of one of the greatest figures in the field of science. Ultimately, what makes “The Theory of Everything” a great biopic is its bold message. The film delivers a strong message about the importance of attaining dreams that would definitely resonate with everyone. Unlike most biopics, it tackles powerful themes which everyone would relate to. A mesmerizing biopic about a commemorated historical figure, there are several strong reasons why “The Theory of Everything” is a film worth watching.
“The Theory of Everything” tells the true story of how Stephen Hawking became a legendary physicist which is inspiring. Eddie Redmayne plays Stephen Hawking, a gifted student with aptitude for physics. Hawking is focused upon his main goal pursuing success in education. However, Stephen’s life forever changes when he falls in love with Jane Wilde (Felicity Jones). Being an intelligent Cambridge student, Wilde inspires Hawking to look at the world from a positive perspective. The two fall madly in love pursing a romantic affair until a disability leads their relationship to endure despair. When he’s diagnosed with the disease of ALS, Stephen is faced with huge barriers of mental illness that place his life in danger. Facing a grim dilemma, Stephen begins questioning whether he would ever be able to find happiness in the modern era.
Director James Marsh is a newcomer towards stories of physicists. Before he directed “The Theory of Everything”, Marsh had never made a biopic before. It was the director’s attempt to capture the life of a physicist that experienced barriers, but he succeeded. Through stunning cinematography, Marsh captures a physicist on a journey to discover his identity. Visually, the film is a stunning feast for the eyes. Marsh effectively uses high key lighting to capture a life of a physicist that’s inspiring. Throughout the movie, Stephen Hawking is often shot in a high key lighting. The lighting becomes a bold indicator of Stephen Hawking’s larger than life personality. For instance, the high key lighting elevates the scientific discovery scene. During this heartfelt scene, Stephen Hawking makes a strong discovery of a theory. One appreciates strong visuals honouring a physicist in history. High key lighting is a tricky technique to use in movies. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through stunning visuals, Marsh captures a commemorated physicist embarking on a journey to find his identity whose mental health is slowly declining.
Another admirable aspect of “The Theory of Everything” worth praising is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is exceptionally well made. Marsh effectively uses stunning makeup to capture the life of a physicist affected by a disease that is highly debilitating. For instance, the makeup elevates the disease discovery scene. During this tense scene, Stephen is resorted to his wheelchair to deliver lecture to a university. One appreciates immersive makeup capturing a life of an iconic physicist that’s inspiring. Through breathtaking makeup, Marsh conveys a physicist embarking on a journey that proves frightening. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Johann Johansson’s score is integral towards success of the film. It gives the film tense atmosphere capturing the burden that physicists enduring physical disabilities bear. Through engrossing production-design, Marsh captures a physicist facing a physical decline.
Storytelling is one of the key reasons why “The Theory of Everything” is a captivating classic which is compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and effectively uses foreshadowing to capture the life of a physicist whose mental health is declining. Throughout the film, Marsh uses foreshadowing to capture the fate of a physicist that is destined to face a disastrous illness. For instance, foreshadowing enhances the diagnosis scene. During this unforgettable scene, Stephen is informed by doctors about his devastating illness given little time to live. One appreciates foreshadowing capturing the doomed destiny of a physicist whose health is declining. Foreshadowing is a tricky technique to use in biopics. As Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings franchise claimed, foreshadowing elevates fantasy films. Nevertheless, it works extremely well in this movie. Using a fantastic screenplay, Marsh celebrates the legacy of one of the most commemorated physicists in history today.
One admires astonishing performances.
Eddie Redmayne delivers one of his greatest performances as Stephen Hawking. It is not easy to embody the personality of an iconic physicist in history but he succeeds. It’s a role that have Redmayne a chance to showcase his aptitude for method acting. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. Not only did Redmayne transform into Stephen Hawking from physical perspectives but he captured the renowned figure’s personality. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, intelligence and strong resilience of a commemorated physicist that overcame a grim disability. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the finest actors working in Hollywood today.
Felicity Jones is fantastic as a woman driven to assist her gifted husband overcome a grim disability causing tragedy. While Redmayne gets the showier role, Jones is also excellent as a woman facing an emotional toll. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase aptitude for playing strong feminist heroines in movies. Whether she’s cheerfully flirting with Stephen Hawking or assisting her husband in his fight against an illness that’s debilitating, Jones expertly uses body language to convey the personality of a woman that’s compelling. It’s a phenomenal performance by one of the most talented actresses working in Hollywood today.
Finally, “The Theory of Everything” will earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing a mental illness that’s terrifying. Unlike most biopics, the film tackles universal themes that everyone would relate to. It discusses strong themes including identity, romance and disability which would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with Stephen Hawking’s theories to appreciate the movie. It delivers a universal message about the importance of perseverance which would resonate with everyone. Therefore, “The Theory of Everything” is one of those rare biopics that everyone would adore.
Fans of Eddie Redmayne will definitely appreciate “The Theory of Everything” and so will movie-goers seeking informative entertainment. A mesmerizing biopic about a legendary physicist, it celebrates a historical figure that built a legacy which is iconic.
Nearly 80 years after Stephen Hawking overcame frightening body movement disabilities to change the world of physics through introducing the groundbreaking theory of everything, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actor that has built a lasting legacy gaining a huge following by portraying characters that are compelling whose unforgettable movies are definitely without a doubt worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 