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Film Review: The Theory of Everything
/ February 1, 2015
Already winning a Golden globe for Best Actor (Eddie Redmayne), and sitting on 5 Academy Award nominations, The Theory of Everything is an emotive romantic explosion depicting the life of renowned physicist Stephen Hawking.
Based on the book ‘Travelling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen’ by Jane Wilde Hawking (Felicity Jones), The Theory of Everything explores Hawking’s college years, confronting us with the early stages of his motor neuron disease diagnosis, and his fierce pursuit of theoretical science.
Owning the screen as much as Redmayne’s extraordinary physicalisation of Hawking’s disease is the question he’s driven to answer – can the whole of human existence and time be reduced to one simple equation? Determined to unravel the mysteries of the universe we observe him go back and forth on thoughts and theories, compelled by his inquisitive nature.
Redmayne and Jones’ performances are on point, and as you watch the tension of Jane’s struggle to love and care for Stephen through the pain of his physical decline, her faithful stoicism and Christ-like compassion are heart wrenching.
Yet for lives marked by so much sadness, Stephen and Jane’s literal marrying of faith and science gives every cinemagoer food for thought. Pondering our own understanding of the universe, we consider whether belief in God is something that hinders our perception of reality, or enlightens us to its truth.
Although Stephen may not be a man of faith, in The Theory of Everything his life is a credit to the love and faith of those around him, and a picture of God’s unconditional love toward each of us.
The Theory of Everything is a strong picture of the relationship between faith and science, and does well not to preach the beliefs of either, but beautifully balance discussion between the two.
8/10
High point: Witnessing love in action.
Low point: Watching the pain of a man trying to find what’s right in front of him.
Best digested with: Scones, tea, and tissues (but don’t eat those).
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