In his Academy Award-winning performance, Eddie Redmayne stars as legendary physicist Stephen Hawking. The reason he won is evident to anyone who watches this film: Redmayne must undergo a complete physical transformation as his character's body is slowly eroded by the disease of ALS.
The gradual erosion is perfectly captured in a nuanced way that never strays from realism and offers a glimpse into the emotional and physical trajectory that anyone with the disease succumbs to.
The film, though, is an examination of the relationship between Hawking and his wife Jane (Felicity Jones) and the hurdles they must stride to maintain their marriage and family in the face of the devastating illness. It is a testament to the strength of love, the bond of marriage and the sacrifices couples must make in adversity.
I liked the humanity that the actors brought to there roles. You get the sense that they are living, breathing people. In the hands of less-talented actors this film could have failed. There is a sense of humor that is maintained throughout the film that offers a glimpse into the ways that tragedy can be overcome.
This is a film with terrific performances that lift an otherwise conventional biopic into the realm of greatness.
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