Stephen Hawking (Eddie Redmayne) is a nerdy student of physics at Oxford in the early 1960s when he meets Jane Wilde (Felicity Jones), a literature student, at a party. They feel an immediate attraction. Stephen does not believe in God. Instead, he wants to discover an elegant theory for everything based in science.
After a move to Cambridge to continue his doctoral studies in cosmology, he experiences muscle weakness and then collapses. He is diagnosed with ALS, Lou Gehrig’s disease, and is given two years to live.
Despite the grim prognosis, Jane wants to marry Stephen. They settle in and soon have two children. Stephen is invited to speak around the world about his theories, but his ability to talk deteriorates. Jane wants to finish her own degree, and as the pressures of caring for Stephen and the children mount, her mother (Emily Watson) suggests she join the church choir. There she meets Jonathan (Charlie Cox), who becomes a family friend and helps care for Stephen.
Stephen gets a computer to help him speak, and Elaine (Maxine Peake) teaches him how to use it. She eventually takes over his care and becomes his travel companion.
The Theory of Everything is a unique film because it … CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING my REEL TIME column at St. Anthony Messenger.
Eddie Redmayne’s performance is nothing short of amazing.
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