'The Theory of Everything'

In cinemas now!

It's 1963, and we find an academically brilliant, but socially awkward Stephen Hawking studying at Cambridge University. Whilst astonishing his peers with his insight and intellect, he encounters Jane Wilde, a languages undergrad, and his earnest but somewhat clumsy attempt at courtship begins.
A kiss at the May Ball seals her affections, and just as it seems a happy future awaits, Hawking is hospitalised, and dealt an earth shattering diagnosis of Motor Neurone Disease, along with a 2 year life expectancy.

Despite his best efforts to push Jane away, she displays the strength needed for both of them, and undaunted by an uncertain future, they marry. But Hawking too, buoyed by Jane's unstinting optimism, finds the courage to fight his condition head on, and while his body gradually succumbs to ravages of his illness, his mind soars. Against the odds, they start a family and Hawking astounds the scientific world with his theory of the universe creation, culminating in a 10 million worldwide selling book, A Brief History of Time. With a script based on Jane Hawking's own memoirs, 'The Theory of Everything' is less a science lesson, and very much more an uplifting story of the powerful love between two people as they overcome enormous obstacles placed in their path.

Much has been written about Eddie Redmayne's performance, but to watch him inhabit Stephen Hawking both physically and mentally is astounding, and surely a career defining moment.
Praise too for Felicity Jones as Jane, who grows in strength and stature as the story progresses, never accepting defeat as an option, even when it seems others have.
In more than one category, an Oscar contender for sure.

Review by Peter Maurice Kill.

Please also take a look at our interview with Felicity Jones and Lisa Bruce at the UK premiere.