The Theory of Everything Review - 3½ Stars

Awards season gets a strong contender in “The Theory of Everything” based on the marriage of Jane and Steven Hawking just as Hawking discovers he has a debilitating neurological disease.  Eddie Redmayne portrays Hawking first as a brilliant college student and over the course of the movie as a man struggling with the loss of a functioning body, even as his brain spins out brilliant ideas and theories.  Felicity Jones earns equal admiration as Hawking’s long suffering wife.  In fact “The Theory of Everything” is as much or even more her story than his.  So rather than the expected brilliant man overcomes physical limitations, “The theory of Everything” shines a light on marriage and partnership and the rocky road those things often take.  I came away as impressed with Felicity Jones as with Redmayne.  You can expected him to lead this year’s awards season.  I hope the same for her.  Does it deliver what it promises?  Extraordinary performances in an unusual story.  Is it entertaining?  You know you’re watching something award worthy.  Is it worth the price of admission?  One of the year’s best.