After spending two hours watching Stephan’s Hawking life unfold in The Theory of Everything, it is a film that accentuates inspiration. With so many exciting movies out, the action sequel Taken, the magical fantasy Into the Woods and Cinderella (who doesn’t love Disney) the Mean Girls of 2015, The Duff and second film of the trilogy Insurgent, it was the perfect excuse for a movie night.

The Theory of Everything begins with the sentimental relationship between Eddie Redmayne as Stephan Hawking and Felicity Jones as Jane Wilde. Expecting a biographical-like movie, I was wrong to realise that The Theory of Everything focused on Stephan’s genius theories, or even his struggle with motor neurone disease. Instead, it followed the path of Stephens’s first wife, Jane Hawking’s connection and sacrifices in her memoir ‘Travelling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen’.

After Stephen learns about his disease, the movie progresses into a hopeful ending where Stephan has grown emotionally rather than feeling sorry for himself. Between the time Stephan is a mischievous Cambridge grad in the 60’s and reduced in a wheelchair after his release of ‘A Brief History of Time’, a brief love triangle ignites. Even though Stephan’s youthfulness seems to cascade around him, his eyes, windows to the soul, remain the same. It is the final scene that truly captures Stephen and Jane’s relationship as a strong friendship which has survived. Cinema-goer and friend Charlotte, 16, complemented the movie stating “the whole cinematography of the movie was really moving and effortless. It recognised Stephen’s strong will power."

Though some audiences could be somewhat confused about the lack of focus on what’s in Stephens head with the narrative of Jane Hawking, “I think watching Stephen’s frustration is heart breaking, but within those two hours of the movie, a broader perspective about Stephen could have been explored, like his thoughts.” – Sian Cummins, 17, friend and a critical perspective.

Large amount of credit goes to Eddie Redmayne who spectacularly manages to convey a genius not through words but through his reminiscing memories and expression of adapting to a different life style. Trying to communicate a character through a lack of speech and eventually no movement is difficult, but Redmayne crippled-like body and intense facial expressions reflect originality. The actor points out: “Although he can move only a few muscles, he sort of emanates this vitality and humour, this wit and flirtatiousness”. James March has done Stephen Hawking’s first movie justice for Stephen and for people with motor neurone disease. The Theory of Everything will bombarded you with emotion, to be appreciative, motivated, a catalyst to pull those heart strings whether you can relate to the movie or not. Real, refreshing and reflective.

By: Gizela Dervishi

School: William Morris Sixth Form