Stephen Hawking is a compelling human being and one of the most intelligent men on earth. His story is one of hope, despair, love and many other emotions rolled into one.

“The Theory of Everything” (Rated R; 123 min) is a biopic drama directed by James Marsh and stars Eddie Redmayne, Felicity Jones, David Thewlis and Simon McBurney, and it will make you feel every emotion imaginable.

Stephen Hawking, played by Redmayne, is a shy, eccentric Cambridge student. He is lazy at times but also a brilliant student working toward a doctorate degree. He meets Jane Wilde, played by Jones, at a party, and the two fall madly in love. Hawking finally finds the drive to become the student he always could.

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He is then diagnosed with motor neutron disease. It is a disease that will effect virtually every portion of his body. It will leave him unable to control most of his body and with two years to live. Hawking and Wilde both reject this notion and fight the disease with everything they have.

One of the biggest components behind why the movie works is the performance of Redmayne. This role is his breakout performance. While having a part in “Les Miserable,” in 2012, this is his first large lead role. It should propel him to a higher level of opportunity and acting prowess.

Redmayne is at a disadvantage from the get go. He plays a character who will eventually lose the ability to talk. Yet, through facial expressions and the delivery of the few words he does say, he connects us with the plight of Hawking. He becomes Hawking.

When not in the wheelchair, Hawking is the eccentric genius we expect him to be. To see the breakdown after realizing what the disease will do his body, to his potential, is horrifying. Redmayne’s performance accentuates the emotional devastation that accompanies the loss of motor skills.

This movie is not just a biography on Stephen Hawking. It is also a love story between Hawking and Wilde. It spends equal amount of time on Stephen as it does with Jane, getting both perspectives of the story. This not only makes it a wonderful biopic movie, but also a heartbreaking romantic film.

The chemistry between Redmayne and Jones is magnetic. It is not only the foundation that holds the entire film together but also where most of the emotional keypoints come from. The heartbreaking quality comes from seeing the two struggle with Hawking’s disease and how the decline poisons a beautiful relationship.

This is easily one of the best movies of the year. Both main actors in this movie deserve nominations. Redmayne specifically shakes up the entire category of male in a leading role, making a once-clear award not so clear.

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Stars: 5 out of 5