The Theory of Everything

Focus Features | Release Date: November 7, 2014

7.8	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 573 Ratings

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jeremypNov 30, 2014

As a made for TV biopic it would be passable but as a movie it's insistence on pursuing a pastel course makes it tame stuff indeed. Redmayne does yeoman work with the physicality, but has little else to do. Is there a personality under thatAs a made for TV biopic it would be passable but as a movie it's insistence on pursuing a pastel course makes it tame stuff indeed. Redmayne does yeoman work with the physicality, but has little else to do. Is there a personality under that shell? Or just a brain. Far too much is left for the imagining, almost as if getting deeper into the reality of Hawking's life would detract from the hagiography.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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richardradNov 23, 2014

Great acting in a good movie: Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones are terrific. The Theory of Everything is at its best when Stephen Hawking comes down with ALS. Redmayne's portrayal of Hawking's mighty physical struggle is remarkable. TheGreat acting in a good movie: Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones are terrific. The Theory of Everything is at its best when Stephen Hawking comes down with ALS. Redmayne's portrayal of Hawking's mighty physical struggle is remarkable. The chemistry between the two stars is believable and the movie does a very nice job of recreating Cambridge in the early 1960's. Much of the script is first-rate, but the quick and almost breezy treatment or their marital breakup is unfortunate.… Expand

3 of 6 users found this helpful33

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csw12Nov 23, 2014

The two leads, Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones give performances that are simply remarkable with a score that is surprisingly good and important to the story.

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

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RuPaulNov 18, 2014

Contrived, poorly written, and executed by someone who clearly struggles to convey melodrama over documentaries. Redmayne's performance is greatly overrated--lower your expectations lest you be as disappointed as I. Far from the next My LeftContrived, poorly written, and executed by someone who clearly struggles to convey melodrama over documentaries. Redmayne's performance is greatly overrated--lower your expectations lest you be as disappointed as I. Far from the next My Left Foot, he shows greatest success in mimicry but fails to convey any consistent character beyond. Felicity Jones is nice and works well with all the cliches, but it is pointless in this ultimately purposeless BBC-grade drama.… Expand

4 of 13 users found this helpful49

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hotfromcauldronNov 17, 2014

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. What orbits around Redmayne’s stellar performance sucks the air out of this Hawking’s biopic. Hairdos change, couples swap, time passes- but nothing happens. Until a touching two minute reverse recap at the very end. Even if love is the answer- the question remains- why is this movie relatively mediocre.… Expand

6 of 7 users found this helpful61

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BHBarryNov 16, 2014

"Theory of Everything" is, as most people know, the story of Stephen Hawking and his adult life-long battle with a motor deficiency disease (ALS). It is also the story of self-sacrifice and dedication as told through the eyes of his wife of"Theory of Everything" is, as most people know, the story of Stephen Hawking and his adult life-long battle with a motor deficiency disease (ALS). It is also the story of self-sacrifice and dedication as told through the eyes of his wife of 25 years, Jane, who, together with Anthony McClaren, co authored the screenplay based on her book "My Life With Stephen". The film was directed by James Marsh and stars Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones. One must approach this film as both a factual summary of the trials and efforts of a genius confined to the prison of his voiceless and motionless body and, also, as an entertainment vehicle. For the former the film serves its purpose well and is made even more believable by Mr. Redmayne’s remarkable likeness to Mr. Hawkng and the performances given by both he and Ms. Jones. As to the latter, the film is certainly not "entertaining" in the true sense of the word but represents one of those "should see" see films because of its biographical data and the efforts of its two stars. This is indeed a difficult film to rate for much depends on the needs and desires of the viewer and whether he or she considers watching Mr. Redmayne’s character struggle with a catastrophic disability for over 2 hours worth the effort. My experience of the film may well have been affected by the fact that I saw a PBS documentary with the real life Hawkings a few days earlier. That being said, I give the film a 7 rating because it basically is locked to the actual story of the subjects with little or no poetic license or interest creating insertions.. Remember, though, as with "My Left Foot",also a fairly difficult film to watch, it did earn Danel Day Lewis an Oscar and I wouldn’t be surprised if the same fate awaited Mr. Redmayne.… Expand

2 of 5 users found this helpful23

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benuttyNov 16, 2014

It's curious how a film about a man who wrote his graduate thesis on time manages to treat time with such disregard--Marsh flutters through this man's extraordinary life with utter disregard for cause & effect, showing us the end results of aIt's curious how a film about a man who wrote his graduate thesis on time manages to treat time with such disregard--Marsh flutters through this man's extraordinary life with utter disregard for cause & effect, showing us the end results of a number of events in Hawking's life without showing us how he got there or what it means to him when he does. Surely the central romance is important to his work, but it's a shame Marsh isn't able make the connection in a more intriguing way.

And enough with the glow effect on the lens. ENOUGH.… Expand

4 of 4 users found this helpful40

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Brent_MarchantNov 14, 2014

A generally well-crafted and engaging biopic about the personal and professional life of world-famous physicist Stephen Hawking. Despite an occasional tendency to be overly earnest in its delivery and some slow pacing in the last half-hour,A generally well-crafted and engaging biopic about the personal and professional life of world-famous physicist Stephen Hawking. Despite an occasional tendency to be overly earnest in its delivery and some slow pacing in the last half-hour, the picture is an informative and enjoyable time at the show, with a positively stellar performance by Eddie Redmayne in the lead role.… Expand

0 of 6 users found this helpful06

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francisrgoNov 10, 2014

What makes "The Theory of Everything" a sure Best Picture contender is it's brilliant storytelling and captivating performances by each actors/actresses. The film is played like a love letter by the way the movie danced around its tone andWhat makes "The Theory of Everything" a sure Best Picture contender is it's brilliant storytelling and captivating performances by each actors/actresses. The film is played like a love letter by the way the movie danced around its tone and dialogues. The screenplay is very concise and direct; there is a clear beginning and an end. The film utilizes music effectively by allowing it to be the narrative. Sometimes just a moving picture and sound can tell a story like in Pixar's "Up" and Michel Hazanavicius' "The Artist," simplicity is at most always better. The movie is inspiring and beautiful.… Expand

1 of 5 users found this helpful14

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LamontRaymondNov 9, 2014

I'd never recommend this movie. I'd read that the emphasis would be on Hawking's school life and his romance with his first wife. Unfortunately, that only comprises the first half of the film. The second half is entirely too slow. TheI'd never recommend this movie. I'd read that the emphasis would be on Hawking's school life and his romance with his first wife. Unfortunately, that only comprises the first half of the film. The second half is entirely too slow. The sequences of Hawking struggling to pull himself up his staircase - looking at his son at the top of the stairs - mirrored many of the people in our theater struggling to get to the end of this film. Sure, Redmayne is awesome, but when he gets into his "My Left Foot" mode, that's no longer acting, in my opinion. I'd much rather award an actor for subtle, true moments - not pretending like he or she is physically disabled. Seems far too easy. Pandering. The movie simply needs editing. And I would have loved to hear more about the Quantum Physics vs. Astro Physics relationship that they merely touch upon.… Expand

6 of 15 users found this helpful69

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TotallyEpicHDNov 7, 2014

Being a fan of Hawking myself, I was impressed by James Marsh's Hawking flick, with great acting and brilliant screenplay, although some information was a little inaccurate, it is still the only Stephen Hawking film that I have ever seen, soBeing a fan of Hawking myself, I was impressed by James Marsh's Hawking flick, with great acting and brilliant screenplay, although some information was a little inaccurate, it is still the only Stephen Hawking film that I have ever seen, so I didn't know what to expect.… Expand

8 of 14 users found this helpful86

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beingryanjudeNov 7, 2014

Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones give two of the finest performances of the year. The Theory of Everything is a heartfelt and honest look at life, love and everything in between.

0 of 4 users found this helpful04

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