"The Theory of Everything" is exactly what it sets out to be: an awards contender and a breakthrough moment for its star, Eddie Redmayne. But it isn't anything more than that.
It follows the standard storyline of a biopic about a genius who is struck with a disease and falls in love around the same time. The scene Stephen Hawking (Redmayne) and Jane (Felicity Jones) share on a bridge in an early part of the film immediately called to mind a similar scene in "A Beautiful Mind" where John Nash (Russell Crowe) and Alicia (Jennifer Connelly) are first getting to know each other.
"The Theory of Everything" is based on a memoir written by Jane Hawking, and the film sometimes suffers from not being able to hone in on which storytelling perspective it uses -- whether it's Jane, Stephen or a more omniscient presence at the center of the film. While that is a little distracting at times, it is still an intriguing story that keeps you entertained for a couple of hours.
Director James Marsh is a master of letting the story tell itself, whether it's in his documentaries ("Man on Wire," "Project Nim") or narrative features. "The Theory of Everything" excels in telling the complex story of its two leads without devolving into melodrama, as frequently occurs in the biopic genre.
Both Redmayne and Jones are terrific as the Hawkings. Redmayne, previously known for supporting roles in "Les Miserables" and "My Week with Marilyn," completely transforms into the theoretical physicist, and it is one of the best performances of the year. Jones' even-tempered performance as his wife is key in keeping the film from being overdramatic.
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The film also benefits from a strong supporting cast, most notably Charlie Cox as Jonathan, Jane's church choir director.
While the performances are great and the film is intriguing, this is not the must-see of 2014 that some are making it out to be. There are a few moments of brilliance, especially in the first sequences, but it winds up being very uneven in terms of storytelling. It flatlines a little in the middle, only to feel rushed for the last third.
The film's meekness is its fatal flaw. It never has a big hook, instead calmly taking you through the lives of Stephen and Jane Hawking without much panache.
In short, "The Theory of Everything" is a little forgettable. It might be highly touted this year, but in a few years, I doubt I'll remember much about it.
