Maybe a 5 is a bit high, but I was too surprised and pleased with this movie to go much lower. As a biopic, it's exceptional. As a romance, it's phenomenal. And as a thematic exercise, it's a masterpiece.
In short, The Theory of Everything is everything.
Eddie Redmayne is transcendent as our celebrated theorist and physicist. After the first few scenes, I completely forgot that it was Redmayne and not Stephen Hawking himself on screen. Redmayne's physical work is truly incredible; even while I was watching it, I had difficulty holding back tears as his motor neuron disease progressed, so convincing was his performed loss-of-control. Felicity Jones counters Redmayne's every move as his astoundingly brave and loving wife, complete with personal moments of fear, doubt, and revelation.
Besides the stellar acting, the film surprised me in its fresh and complicated romance. This movie is first and foremost a love story, and it is most extraordinary for not being a tragedy. Though Hawking's disease might make this seem to have a wrote ending (I didn't even watch The Fault in Our Stars for that reason), it repeatedly counters that narrative. Though Jane (Felicity Jones) ultimately separates from Hawking, it is apparently a mutual decision and one that ultimately increases the love between several people.
And I said above that this is a love story: Besides the expected monogamous, hetero relationship, the love story also comes from the community. Time and again we see Hawking's friends, teachers, family, and even strangers show amazing love and generosity to each other. That's a really unusual spin for a modern drama. At one point, Hawking's old school friends are partying with him, and when they come to a large flight of stairs, one of the friends almost effortlessly picks him up and carries him, without any obligation or resentment, and continues an intimate conversation while walking. It's so beautiful, I sobbed (something I did about every other scene). Charlie Cox enters as Jane's future love interest, but rather than vying for attention or romance, his character humbles himself to become essentially Hawking's maid, caring for him and providing support for his family. It's a shockingly fresh and beautiful take on a very complicated relationship. David Thewlis, Emily Watson, and Simon McBurney round out the supporting cast with charm and grace.
Director James Marsh controls the film with striking and haunting emotional beats, forcing us to watch characters make impossible choices and struggle with their romantic desires. I smiled so much in this movie that my face hurt halfway through, because we get every single nuance of flirtation, affection, and passion. That's also partly due to the articulate and reserved script (Anthony McCarten) and the vibrant colors and intimate close-ups (Benoit Delhomme, 1408, A Most Wanted Man).
Do yourself a favor and go see this one. It's a profound look at love, life, and the people around us. It will make you cry, but I promise, the tears come from a place of light and joy.
IMDb: The Theory of Everything
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