The Theory of Everything (2014)

Nominee

An all comprehensive theory of existence would be beautiful, for it seems to suggest a great equalizing force. If everyone and everything was put into motion at the same moment, made of the same basic matter, than there is an unseen bond that forces us to be unified in some small way. This does not mean that we are all the same, but rather every individual story should interest us because it's part of one big narrative that we all exist within. In this instance we are given the story of Stephen Hawking, a man that once dared to believe that all this could be true, and his wife Jane, the woman who cared for him with heroic determination while having to watch as one of the world's greatest minds became locked in a deteriorating vessel.

This relationship is the primary focus of the film as it is based on a book by the real Jane Hawking. It does a beautiful character study of this relationship over time and the effects of their specific hardships on their ability to be happy. This couple is valiantly humanized and terrifically imperfect as the subtle (and very British) work of Felicity Jones draws out our sympathies while Eddie Redmayne displays excellent craftsmanship as he tells this mans story through his eyes. Their world is also amplified by a gorgeous score and distinctive color washes that lift this film out of the monotony of a typical biopic.

However, I did find this film rather incomplete. Yes, the film successfully dictated a couples' love that evolves within their specific set of circumstances over time. That in and of itself is no small feat, and I do not wish to diminish that triumph.  Yet it rather left out what specifically makes Stephen fundamentally interesting: his work. There are some brief scenes that mention his contributions but they were fleeting and did not delve into his concepts with any great magnitude. 

Overall: An important story was told here but it lost sight of its roots. And when these roots are some of the greatest achievements of our time then we are missing a vital part of Stephen Hawking's story. We have lost the specifics of what he contributed to our universal story, and what is left is still good, but it's just not everything.