Saturday, December 6, 2014

MOVIE OF THE MONTH: DECEMBER 2014


Director     : James Marsh
Screenplay : Anthony McCarten

Music          : Jóhann Jóhannsson
Camera       : Benoît Delhomme
Distribution: Universal Pictures
Running      : 123 minutes

The Theory of Everything’ is an interesting, out-of-the-ordinary, magical and romantic British drama involving the early-to-middle years of the life of theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking. Based off of the memoir, ‘Travelling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen’, written by now ex-wife Jane Wilde, this exceptional film tells the story of how Stephen and Jane got together, illustrates his battle with motor neuron disease, and shows the accomplishments he had in the field of physics.

The film begins when Stephen Hawking and Jane Wilde first met at the University of Cambridge in England. Both aspiring for a degree in some form of philosophy or science, they quickly took to each other while in school. Shortly after meeting, Stephen is diagnosed with motor neuron disease, a neurological disorder that impacts the cells that control muscle activity, i.e. speaking, walking, and general use of the body.

Instead of running away, Jane tells Stephen she loves him and wants to spend as much time as they can together, knowing full well he might only have up to two years to live. To anyone that knows Hawking's history, he is still alive and well (for his condition) to this day at the age of 72, and has accomplished more in his physically-challenged life than most people can imagine. This film displays the the life and family they built together, and many of the great things Stephen has been able to do, despite his vast impairment.

Watching Stephen try to feed himself, speak to people, crawl up the stairs, etc., can be difficult and sad to witness. Regarding themes, this film presents an assortment of things to think about. Whether a demonstration of love conquers all, showing audiences that there can always be something to live for, or proving that just about anything can be attained despite all odds against, "The Theory of Everything" has a lot of love, heart, courage, strength, beauty, and themes about following your dreams no matter what.

The film doesn't have the most well-known cast, but features a variety of quality and up-and-coming actors. Actor Eddie Redmayne, as Stephen Hawking, plays a brilliant, very quiet and soft-spoken, almost odd type of person. Mirroring his presentation, young actress Felicity Jones plays Jane Wilde, and similarly puts on a great show. She has a great deal of patience, love, and bravery to stick with Stephen during most of his life. The supporting cast involves Charlie Cox, Emily Watson, Simon McBurney, David Thewlis, and more.


Movie Website: http://www.focusfeatures.com

Review Courtesy: http://www.wfaa.com

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