by Cookie N Screen
Scooping up the award and clutching it like a lanky British elf, Eddie Redmayne looked entirely overwhelmed by this revelation in his career. Winning an Oscar, after all, is considered the pinnacle of the film industry and heck, even a nomination would have you burning with glee. When you look at the other contenders, it was definitely one of the more eclectic yet stellar bunch of thespians all with possible Academy Award glory in their eyes. Alongside Redmayne, there was Michael Keaton's stellar turn in Best Picture Winner Birdman, Benedict Cumberbatch's enigmatic role in The Imitation Game, Steve Carrell's fantastic transformation in Foxcatcher and Bradley Cooper in American Sniper. Out of that bunch, it was a young Eddie Redmayne who scooped up the win and charmed us all over again.
So for the DVD release of The Theory of Everything today, let's look at the reasons why he won!
Scooping up the award and clutching it like a lanky British elf, Eddie Redmayne looked entirely overwhelmed by this revelation in his career. Winning an Oscar, after all, is considered the pinnacle of the film industry and heck, even a nomination would have you burning with glee. When you look at the other contenders, it was definitely one of the more eclectic yet stellar bunch of thespians all with possible Academy Award glory in their eyes. Alongside Redmayne, there was Michael Keaton's stellar turn in Best Picture Winner Birdman, Benedict Cumberbatch's enigmatic role in The Imitation Game, Steve Carrell's fantastic transformation in Foxcatcher and Bradley Cooper in American Sniper. Out of that bunch, it was a young Eddie Redmayne who scooped up the win and charmed us all over again.
So for the DVD release of The Theory of Everything today, let's look at the reasons why he won!
The Theory of Everything, directed by James Marsh, tells the story of Stephen Hawking - famed physicist who set about proving existence time and space with a Big Bang. The story follows him through his time at Cambridge until his CBE. Yet the main focus here, despite his brilliant and innovative scientific work, is his relationship with literature student Jane Wilde. Connecting instantly, their love is thrown a tragic twist when he is diagnosed with the debilitating and life threatening illness Motor Neurone Disease. As the pair coming to grips with the illness, Marsh's work transcends time and the film itself shows how they grew a family and a home all while Stephen grew an undeniably stellar scientific legacy. Can their love survive all the obstacles they face?
Immediately, it is clear the Redmayne's accolades are richly deserved. The English actor has a sublime way of transforming into the acclaimed icon that at times you struggle to separate the pair. The sensitivity, passion and humour that Redmayne interjects into the story fleshing out this man who we adored through his work is unparalleled The ability to effervesce as Hawking whilst layering him with little details, humanity and intellect is stunning. The humble actor is engaged with the plot and real life character, sliding seemingly effortlessly through the disability and Stephen's personality quirks. Balancing the grief and the struggle alongside the triumph and the love, Redmayne here channels and emotes a highly visceral performance that tackles hard topics with beautiful sensitivity and understanding.
Alongside him, Felicity Jones greatly encompasses Jane's world and is an exquisite counterpart to Redmayne. Though the young looking actress may struggle to age over the course of 25 years (heck, she finds it hard to look her age of 31), she gracefully embellishes Jane's story with spirited gusto. As the story unfolds, the pressure increases for Jane and Jones is able to strike the right tone of duty and devotion that she, too, deserved the nominations thrown her way. Together, Redmayne and Jones spark through many differen periods and terrifically tell the journey as though Hawking and Wilde were dancing and spiralling on screen.
Immediately, it is clear the Redmayne's accolades are richly deserved. The English actor has a sublime way of transforming into the acclaimed icon that at times you struggle to separate the pair. The sensitivity, passion and humour that Redmayne interjects into the story fleshing out this man who we adored through his work is unparalleled The ability to effervesce as Hawking whilst layering him with little details, humanity and intellect is stunning. The humble actor is engaged with the plot and real life character, sliding seemingly effortlessly through the disability and Stephen's personality quirks. Balancing the grief and the struggle alongside the triumph and the love, Redmayne here channels and emotes a highly visceral performance that tackles hard topics with beautiful sensitivity and understanding.
Alongside him, Felicity Jones greatly encompasses Jane's world and is an exquisite counterpart to Redmayne. Though the young looking actress may struggle to age over the course of 25 years (heck, she finds it hard to look her age of 31), she gracefully embellishes Jane's story with spirited gusto. As the story unfolds, the pressure increases for Jane and Jones is able to strike the right tone of duty and devotion that she, too, deserved the nominations thrown her way. Together, Redmayne and Jones spark through many differen periods and terrifically tell the journey as though Hawking and Wilde were dancing and spiralling on screen.
The Theory of Everything is not without criticism and it's one that I believe is terribly unjustified. Many remark on how the story concentrates on the marriage rather his achievements which were never the focus in the first place. It is Jane and Stephen eclipsing expectations and dabbling in wrought emotions that take centre stage in Anthony McCarten's devastatingly great script. The balance between science and the marriage is struck right here, especially coming from Jane's own memoirs. All strife and trouble is met with powerful understanding as the pair move through their lives and feel the distance grow between them, so much so that their indiscretions are met with nods and knowing rather than scorn. There is never a moment without soft delicate humanity as you evolve with them and it is magnificently done.
Teaming with Marsh's incredible aesthetic - his beautiful directing here enchants the film with sublime imagery - The Theory of Everything is an extremely excellent film. All the while the dizzying score from Johan Johansson weaves around with the studied emotion and enhances the experience even more so. The film is triumphant as is the true story it is based upon. Everyone involved should be applauded for creating near impeccable work that gifts Stephen Hawking and Jane Wilde a platform to tell their lives without the invasion of tabloid press.
After all, this is a tale of one almighty bang that pulled two people together and apart again. And I have a theory that you'll want to watch this repeatedly afterwards.
Teaming with Marsh's incredible aesthetic - his beautiful directing here enchants the film with sublime imagery - The Theory of Everything is an extremely excellent film. All the while the dizzying score from Johan Johansson weaves around with the studied emotion and enhances the experience even more so. The film is triumphant as is the true story it is based upon. Everyone involved should be applauded for creating near impeccable work that gifts Stephen Hawking and Jane Wilde a platform to tell their lives without the invasion of tabloid press.
After all, this is a tale of one almighty bang that pulled two people together and apart again. And I have a theory that you'll want to watch this repeatedly afterwards.
What Do You Think?
Is this a Hit Play or is it a Hit Stop?
Do you think Eddie Redmayne deserved his Oscar?
Let us know in the comments below !
The Theory of Everything is out on DVD and Blu-ray today.
Also read Anne's review!
RSS Feed
