Movie - the Theory of everything

Movie - the Theory of everything
Score : 9/10
Year : 2014
Director : James Marsh
Cinematography: Benoît Delhomme
Music : Jóann Jóannsson 
Country : UK
Language : English
Duration : 2h03 

Writers : Anthony McCarten (screenpaly) ; Jane Hawking (book)

What a shame that really stupid movies are shown a whole bunch of times a day, whilst this masterpiece gets only 4 viewings in VO (original language) in my town… We were only 4 people to have bothered to go see it on an afternoon… 


Only we (wife & I) giggled at the many humorous remarks, and only we got the jokes about a certain sci-fi show… 


As often, the French title is quite far off from the original, ‘’une merveilleuse histoire du temps’’, or a marvelous history of time, instead of the theory of everything…this movie is about Stephen Hawking, his life achievements and especially his relationship with his wife Jane (née Eagleton). 


The movie is adapted from Jane's own biography, and underlies both her tenacity and relationship with Stephen. 

Stephen Hawking, in person, emailed the director to let him know that he had the impression of watching himself… that’s how good Eddie Redmayne is in his role! During his interpretation, he truly becomes Hawking; contorting his body in such a way that it actually cost his spine alignement… He and Felicity Jones (playing his wife Jane) are brilliant, moving and just amazing in their roles. 



As I watched the movie again, yesterday (13/03/2016) on bluray, I came to the conclusion that I hadn't pointed to other positively moving performances from Harry Lloyd who portrays Brian. His acting, his facial expressions hearing certain news (for instance) were moving as well, and not stealing from the 2 main heroes. 

However, as it turns out, Brian didn't actually exist. He's a composite character (corresponding to several or all of Hawking's roommates, not the one). 


This is only one point out of several other discrepancies between reality and this adaptation, and knowing this reduces my overall appreciation for this movie which had initially appeared ''perfect'' or just about. But, biopics in my opinion should remain as truthful as known and when screenwriters adapt biographies shouldn't stray so much as to add or delete characters and change life events in too big a manner. 


In the theory of everything, there are some changes, but I have to insist that in spite of that it is a very good movie and should be watched especially for Redmayne/Jones as well as for a lot of humour. 


Only, after watching, read more about the real people and make up your mind how much was conserved, and how much you accept about those changes. It is, after all, sometimes tough to make a 100% faithful movie (but one can wish for), and sometimes watching has to allow this deviation.


The score is quite pretty, the cinematography is gorgeous and there are some artistic shots, and a beautiful ending (don’t leave till it’s all over!!!).


I like that some of the scenes were done as if they were personally filmed by the Hawkings, appearing as footage with a grainy image and more of a shaky-cam, done with a lot of taste.


These are very emotionally moving couple of hours (123 minutes to be exact) ; a movie to make you think and talk about long after its over… 


PS, don’t watch the trailers, they show WAY too much.

The movie ir rated PG-13 for a suggestive material (very slight profanity, alcohol and smoking, but especially a bit of medical material that may be difficult to some viewers - I personally avoioded watching them due to my own sensitivity and emetophobia)