Synopsis:
The Theory of Everything, adapted from Wilde’s 2007 memoir Travelling to Infinity: My Life With Stephen, begins like any romantic drama.
We watch as lovably geeky Stephen (Eddie Redmayne) meets beautiful poetry student Jane (Felicity Jones) - and, despite their differences, the pair forge an intense and immediate chemistry.
In short, it's love at first sight.
From beautiful dances underneath the stars, to fun and games by the grassy rivers of Cambridge, to tentative first kisses, Jane and Stephen quickly become infatuated with one another.
However we, the viewer, know that Stephen is living with a ticking time bomb - because, unbeknownst to him, he is soon about to lose the power to run, to walk, and to even talk.
After a crushing fall on the Cambridge quad, he is rushed to hospital and delivered some terrible news; he has just two years left to live.
Heartbroken and angry at the world, Stephen holes himself up in his room and refuses to see anyone - including his beloved Jane.
Over time, she slowly manages to coax him back out of his solitude, and back into her arms.
Before too long, the pair are happily married and expecting their first child together.
But, as any carer will be able to imagine, life soon becomes very tough for Jane.
And years later, with Stephen still alive and still desperate to maintain his independence, his wife’s the one fighting to keep him that way.
Cue a chance meeting with an attractive choir master - and a cold dose of reality for the Disney generation.
What's right with it?
Best Actor nominee Eddie Redmayne is absolutely startling in his role as Stephen Hawking, slipping easily into the role of enthusiastic and excitable young scientist, before settling into Hawking's wheelchair and, at last, into the cosmologist's trademarked computerised voice.
And Felicity Jones, also nominated for Best Actress at the Oscars 2015, is just wonderful as Jane Wilde; the wide-eyed innocent truly believes that love can conquer all.
But, as she transforms from talented student to a married young mother, she soon becomes overworked, fatigued and not a little lost.
After all, when you throw yourself into caring so utterly for another human being (not to mention three children), you can forget to look after yourself along the way.
Throw in all those sumptuous period costumes and hairstyles, that wonderful musical score, and the effortlessly beautiful cinematography, and you have nothing short of a visual masterpiece.
It's no wonder that The Theory Of Everything has been tipped for mammoth success at the Oscars - and, while it's not your typical fairytale, it is a love story well worth investing in.
What's wrong with it?
Not much, but you will be left an emotional wreck; make sure you go armed with a packet of tissues!
Rating:
5/5