The Theory of Everything
Dir: James Marsh
2014
***
James Marsh has proved himself an excellent documentarian in great films such as Man On Wire and Project Nim and an excellent director with a wonderful visual flare in Wisconsin Death Trip and Red Riding: In the year of our Lord 1980. He was the perfect choice of director to tackle the true story of Stephen and Jane Hawking's relationship and how they coped with his illness, prejudice and success. Reading up on the film and Professor Hawkins life, it seems he's got it spot on too. Eddie Redmayne certainly got his portrayal of Professor Hawkins right and deserved the awards and praise he received for it. Some of the scenes between he and Felicity Jones were so touching and so convincing, it felt like I could have been a fly on the wall at those very moments. There is a film theory that when an actor plays a character with either physical or learning disabilities well, it is almost a certainty that they'll win the Oscar that year. It's crudely referred to in 2008's comedy, Tropic Thunder. While the theory often rings true, it would be unfair to say it is the only reason the film did well, Eddie Redmayne's performance is immaculate and that is why the film is as popular as it is, or at least it is what I liked about it. The film itself bored me to tears. It's not a boring story though, far from it, I was tired to seeing the same old cliches churned out one after the other in what is one of the most obvious attempts at manipulation for the sake of award glory. This isn't a James Marsh film, this is just another formulaic sickly sweet biography with lots of interesting bits missing. It could have been set in any decade, nothing much at all gave clue to where and when any of the events took place, instead, everything was a picture postcard version of England, for the non-English viewer I imagine. How many times have we seen the act of falling in love with someone visualized by simply seeing them hold hands and spin in a circle? It may have happened but this film is a colour by numbers, factory made, formulaic, spoon fed type drama that I generally detest. Worst of all, I know nothing more about Professor Hawkins than I did before watching, and I didn't know anything more than most people I shouldn't imagine. An amazing performance in front of familiar formula, one that works obviously but one I'm personally tired of.