The Theory of Everything (2014)

Directed by James Marsh. Starring Eddie Redmayne, Felicity Jones, Charlie Cox, Simon McBurney, David Thewlis, Maxine Peake, Harry Lloyd, Abigail Cruttenden, Emily Watson, Christian McKay. [PG-13]

Polished, conventional account of the life of theoretical physicist Dr. Stephen Hawking is unable to solve the problem of the “brilliant thinker” biopic—it’s neither cinematic nor accessible to show geniuses making life-changing abstract discoveries, so the filmmakers are reduced to condescending, impersonal compression and dramatically-licensed invention to “explain the unexplainable.” Even more disheartening is the decision to focus so much of its time on Hawking’s valiant fight against ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) and his relationship with fellow Cambridge student Jane Wilde (Jones), the messier aspects of which have almost certainly been softened, even excused, by the influence of Jane’s book, “Traveling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen,” serving as the source of the screenplay adaptation. This is not to say that such subjects are unworthy of focus—even ones as shortcut-beholden, generically composed, and lit for maximum misty glisten as this one—but when dealing with one of the most special minds in human history, maybe it’s time to shake off the dusty clichés? Jones seizes her opportunities to shine, particularly in the second half when her patience is severely tested and she’s tempted to stray with a friendly widower (Cox), while Redmayne relied on the imitation of misshapen posture, vocal mannerisms, and physical tics to impress enough voters to hand him an Academy Award (not entirely his fault since he had to work off what was given to him on the page). Though the film as a whole succumbs to cheap sentiment and muddled inspiration only on occasion, consider this a frustrating fizzle—not because of the formula execution but because of the wasted opportunity.

48/100