By Josh Horwood.

Directed by James Marsh, 123mins, out on 1^st January 2015

There are certain films that are made for the Oscar race.  These films usually play things very safe, having wholesome messages and rely on the performances of the leads. Working Title’s bid for Oscar glory rests this year on The Theory of Everything, which tells the story of Stephen and Jane Hawking’s relationship from their time at Cambridge, through Stephen’s diagnosis with Motor Neurone Disease and onto its later, more strained stages. It has picked up nominations for Best Actor and Actress in a leading role and Best Film for the Oscars. Eddie Redmayne ought to make space in his trophy cabinet for the little gold statuette, as it is precisely the type of performance the Academy adores.  Felicity Jones would be somewhat of a surprise but probably wouldn’t be the biggest upset of the evening.

The performances are really the only striking thing about this film.  Massive personal triumphs for Hawking, like the publication of A Brief History of Time are dealt with in seconds so that we can watch scenes of Hawking chasing his children around in the casino online garden in his wheelchair whilst Jones looks on in admiration and then later, in minor annoyance. As the characters begin to drift apart, the film remains doggedly focussed on their relationship when expanding the film’s discussion may have been more affecting.  David Thewlis plays Hawking’s PhD Supervisor.  He is always a delight on screen and is no different here. Every part of the film feels honed to appeal to as many Oscar voters as possible, which is frustrating but makes for perfectly fine viewing.  Were it not Awards season, my interest in this film would have been less than a fleeting.

It is such a shame that the film plays it so safe technically.  James Marsh directs with a rose tinted view of the past and favours above all else clean shot compositions to point that the film becomes a little bland.  Benoît Delhomme bathes Eddie Redmayne in an ethereal light in every scene because Stephen Hawking is quite a bright and illuminated guy (wouldn’t you know)… The film shies away from the depiction of their true marriage breakdown (it all happens quite amicably) and glosses over accusations of abuse at the hand of his second wife, which makes the film feel much less genuine.

The Theory of Everything is a perfectly fine film but won’t be a classic that you reach for after this current Oscar season is over.

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