Die Entdeckung der Unendlichkeit (2014)

Die Entdeckung der Unendlichkeit: Directed by James Marsh. With Eddie Redmayne, Felicity Jones, Tom Prior, Sophie Perry. A look at the relationship between the famous physicist Stephen Hawking and his wife.

“This film is highly recommended.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eYou can certainly tell itu0026#39;s Oscar time when all the more dignified and personal projects inundate the movie houses in hopes of capturing the gold. For most of the other nine months, we get lesser efforts and big blockbuster spectacles to fill-in until late October arrives. Then, itu0026#39;s time to get serious about our cinema choices. The Theory of Everything is one such film. It carries its pedigree with style and class, even if it is a rather conventional biopic in disguise, with its main character suffering through a debilitating disease while finding the stamina to go on.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eWith a very literate screenplay by Anthony McCarten and accomplished direction by James Marsh, the film tells the story of famed scientist Stephen Hawking and his battle with ALS. It also concentrates on his relationship with his supportive and loving wife, Jane.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eLove will conquer all. Or so it should. But the horrors of this disease and the hardships they face seem unsurmountable. We see the couple meet, fall in love, marry, have children, and grow weary of each other. Stephen achieves adoration, fame, and fortune while Jane takes a back seat to her caregiver role and bringing up the family, amid the tears and frustration they face on a daily basis. One immediately empathizes with these characters due to their tragic situations.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe two leads are splendid and their acting is peerless. Felicity Jones plays Jane. Her role may be less showy and far more understated, but the actress is perfect at showing Janeu0026#39;s endurance and strength in the subtlest of ways. Eddie Redmayne is Stephen Hawking and his performance is literally trans-formative. (He must have learned his craft from tons of research about Hawking and creative influence from Daniel Day Lewis.) This is an impressive physical performance, from his black horn rimmed glasses to his walking cane and distorted posture. Both will receive well-earned accolades for their memorable work. Fine supporting work by Charlie Cox as Jonathan, their loyal friend, and Simon McBurney as Stephenu0026#39;s father add more clarity to the film.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eAs with most biographical films, one sees the rise and fall of the protagonist before it arrives. This film follows that tries-and-true formula. But Marshu0026#39;s direction compensates for the linear structure and predictability of the story. The director relies heavily on his actorsu0026#39; subtle actions to tell more about their characters than the mere words they speak. He also wisely shows Hawkingu0026#39;s point of view by angling the camera range from a lower stance or keeping it stationary to reinforce the charactersu0026#39; immobility. The final scene, recapping Hawkingu0026#39;s life in reverse, beautifully sums up Stephenu0026#39;s life full circle in the most visual of terms.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eBut The Theory of Everything is foremost a love story. The film desperately wants to be a crowd-pleaser with an uplifting message of inspiration, even when the reality and truth of their actual lives is bleaker than it appears on screen. The film glosses over some factual content to play up the human drama of this pair of young lovers. It skillfully manipulates its audience to wallow in the heartbreak. Director Marsh successfully capture the pangs of young love and bittersweet romance in this emotionally involving film. u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe Theory of Everything is an immensely satisfying film with stand-out acting and skilled direction. The proof is right there on the screen, even if the facts are slightly askew. GRADE: B+u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eVisit my blog at: www.dearmoviegoer.comu003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eANY COMMENTS: Please contact me at: [email protected]”