It's that time of year again - the leaves are changing colors, the weather is getting colder and families are gathering together for holiday celebrations. As the leaves are falling, Oscar buzz is in the air. The Oscars are always an unpredictable event but this year there is a sure front runner for best actor - Eddie Redmayne for his portrayal of the 20th century genius Stephen Hawking. No one has been a shoe-in to win best actor since maybe Daniel Day Lewis for his role in "My Left Foot."
I wrote in 2011 after seeing Redmayne in the independent film "My Week with Marilyn" that he is the one to watch and will receive an Oscar someday. Well this is his year. He already won Best Breakout Performance two weeks ago at the Hollywood Film Awards, which kicks off the award season.
"The Theory of Everything" is a movie based not only on Hawking's incredible mind but also on the relationship between Hawking and his college sweetheart and wife, Jane, solidly played by Felicity Jones ("The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014)," "Like Crazy"). When the two met while studying at Cambridge, it was love at first sight. They experienced a healthy relationship as college students until one day when Hawking was stricken with a motor neuron disease related to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This event changes everything in both their lives. Hawking was told he had only two years to live. Jane loved him so much she agreed/demanded to marry him and take care of him.
What is the theory of everything? Love.
"The Theory of Everything" is rated PG-13 and has a total running time (TRT) of 2 hours and 3 minutes.
Derek can be heard each Saturday morning at 8 a.m. on KEST 1450AM discussing movies and entertainment in the Bay Area.
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