The Theory Of Everything

James Marsh is best known for his documentaries Man on Wire and Project Nim, but his subject matter here is somewhat more hefty than a spiky Frenchman and, er, a chimpanzee, as TTOE is a biopic of Stephen Hawking, one of the most famous and well known people on the planet. Marsh is a skilled film maker though and, coupled with Anthony McCarten's sharp screenplay, this is a highly enjoyable film. To be blunt, Hawking is pretty much known for three things; his theoretical analyses, his disability and marrying his nurse. Marsh's picture covers all three, but the majority of the picture is spent analysing Hawking's relationship with his first wife Jane. The film itself is actually based on Jane's memoir of her life with Hawking, but it's balanced throughout neither painting Hawking as saint or sinner and gives an adult examination of how disability can affect a relationship. Both lead performances are superb, with Eddie Redmayne impressively nailing the hefty challenge of portraying Hawking's physical deterioration. Felicity Jones is, arguably, even better in her role as Jane, stoically coping with the complexities of the hand that has been dealt to both her husband and herself. Marsh's direction is fairly static throughout (though it doesn't really need to be anything more), but one of his main skills is getting tasteful laughs from difficult issues and Theory continues this trend, especially is capturing Hawking's well known wit and dry humour. There are a few problems though towards the end of the film with Marsh throwing in a mawkish dream sequence where Hawking rises from his wheelchair and picks up a pencil during a presentation. It feels both patronising to Hawking and us, the paying audience, and it's a bit of a mystery as to why it's included as it goes completely against the grain of not laying it on thick as throughout the rest of the film. Also, any need for a flashback sequence as well? I'm pretty certain most of the audience don't need reminding of what they've just say through during the previous 120 minutes. Overall though this is a entertaining picture being in terms romantic, funny, poignant and thought provoking and, yes, that is Frank Leboeuf cameoing as a Swiss doctor. Some things even Hawking wouldn't be able to explain.....Rating: 8/10.