The Theory of Everything

Very early on, Stephen Hawking (Eddie Redmayne) was a brilliant young man. He began studying cosmology while working on his advanced degree. Two events forever changed young Hawking. At college party, he meets Jane (Felicity Jones). Stephen tells Jane his idea. He wants to write a single, elegant mathematical equation that will explain everything in the cosmos. If he is successful, Hawking will prove God does not exist. Jane, on the other hand, is very religious. Despite their polar-opposite ideologies, the two fall in love and eventually marry.

One day while walking through campus, Hawking suddenly falls knocking himself unconscious. He wakes to learn the awful truth. He has Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, A.L.S. or Lou Gehrig's disease. The disease affects the muscles and eventually causes death. Hawking is given two years to live. Hawking is devastated.

Two more events happen that forever changes his life. Jane vows to stay with Hawking through the hardships. Together they will fight this disease. Meanwhile, Professor Dennis Sciama (David Thewlis) keeps pushing Hawking to find a topic for his doctoral thesis. Sciama takes Hawking on a tour of the campus showing Hawking the lab where English scientists split the atom.

Next, Sciama takes Hawking and some other students to a discussion of black hole. Hawking is very impressed by the lecture. Years later as Hawking's disease further and further hampers his movements, he finds himself stuck in a sweater he cannot pull over his head. Looking at embers burning in a fireplace, Hawking comes upon the topic for his doctoral thesis.

The Theory of Everything is about much more than Stephen Hawking's success. This is a story that once again illustrates: Behind every great man is a great woman! Jane Hawking sacrifices everything for the man she loves. As Hawking's condition worsens, the burden and strain on Jane grows. Although Hawking is still sexually active,fostering three children, Jane misses the tenderness of a soft touch or a warm embrace. Imagine Jane's hardships whenever taking a wheelchair-bound Hawking and three infant children on a simple day trip!

Later in his life, Hawking's condition takes a major turn for the worse. Hawking is placed in an induced coma to keep him alive. Hawking requires surgery to keep him alive. But, the surgery means Hawking will never be able to speak... ever! The decision is Jane's and hers alone! Jane could understandably end Hawking's suffering and allow him to die peacefully in his sleep.

Felicity Jones is almost "scary" when Jane decides to save Hawking's life. For Jane, there is no decision to make. Stephen Hawking must live, come hell or high water! The doctors try to make Jane reconsider. Jane will have nothing of it. Jones performance gets increasingly determined, increasingly frustrated as no one listens to her, and darn-near hysterical until the doctors concede.

Thank God Stephen Hawking survived. Into Hawking's life comes speech therapist Elaine Mason(Maxine Peake). The process is a major struggle for Hawking who would rather just sit in his chair and mope. Elaine finally convinces Hawking to use a simple spelling board to communicate. In a short time, Hawking communicates rather easily. His spirit soars and his sense of humor returns.

The world around Hawking is changing rapidly. Technology is growing in leaps and bounds. A simple television remote control connected to a computer turns letter Hawking selects into synthesized voice. Hawking can speak again! Hawking returns the favor by writing another book that changes the world, "A Brief History of Time".

Hawking's first book disproved the idea of a God existing. In his second book, Hawking mathematically proves a world/universe without boundaries...a world without beginning, a world without end. He mathematically proves the possibility of the existence of a God. Amazingly, while Jane slowly loses her religious beliefs, Hawking discovers a spiritual belief.

All because one woman steadfastly stood by her man. Jane's quiet resolve to overcome all obstacles no matter what comes had a profound affect on Hawking who, in turn, had a profound affect on the scientific community.

The performances of Eddie Redmayne Felicity Jones make The Theory of Everything a special film. The two actors expertly depict the love between Stephen and Jane. Redmayne captures Hawking's sense of humor, playfulness, naiveté along with Hawking's logical mind.

Jones is amazing depicting the hidden struggles Jane goes through for the sake of her husband. Jane dutifully does whatever she needs to do steadfastly refusing all offers of help. She vowed to love, honor and cherish her husband in sickness and in health. Jane goes well beyond the call of duty.

The Theory of Everything is an uplifting, depressing, happy, sad, loving, hating, funny, mournful, spiritual, atheistic and a very personal story. Hawking's greatness can be measured by his contributions to science. Jane's greatness can never be measured.

The Theory of Everything is a great film. Enjoy!