Review of The Theory of Everything (2014) by Robert B — 12 Jan 2016

I had a pretty wonderful realization about halfway through the movie: Stephen Hawking's Intel voice, for me and probably a lot of people, is inherently linked to intelligence. I realized that that computer tone, for one reason or another, represents a higher learning and understanding of ethereal concepts and lofty thinking.

This playing of Stephen's life, essentially, also made me realize how my thinking of Stephen Hawking has changed as I've learned about him and understood how his life has changed as well. The film is absolutely beautiful; the cinematography and drama laces together so perfectly and the time passes effortlessly over the course of Stephen's life. First and foremost the film is about Jane and Stephen, and THEN how motor neuron disease affects them. That turn hits so early, like in the first 20 minutes, where Stephen trips and gets his diagnosis, which is GREAT - I love a film that is almost exposition-less and gets right to the interesting parts.

I think there's a lot to learn about patience and dedication from Jane and Stephen's relationship - if you put yourself outside of the situation and look at what it means to be a loving and forgiving partner you'll see that being caring and taking care of each other is far and away the most important part of being supportive and significant.

The other huge takeaway was the wonderful score; god, it supported the story and transitions so well. It's also interesting how time is so integral to a film and how Stephen's studies and theorizing fold into his life and then the exploration at the end (you'll have to see it to know) really brings the whole story full circle.

It's such an interesting mind and character that Eddie Redmayne brings to life as Hawking; he never loses his humor and insight and in his final monologue at the end of the movie, it really hits you how influential his work has been over the course of his life. He's really a visionary mind that the world will sorely miss when he's gone.

Not worth the theater, but worth your time. Don't be foolish - see this soon!