Redbox Reviews: Oscar Winner The Theory of Everything

After ten minutes of watching The Theory of Everything until the very end, I cried and cried. They were mainly "sad" tears, the ones that roll down your face when the characters' lives seem so hopeless that it's difficult to watch. But other tears were happy, the ones that happen when you're reminded that life goes on despite adversity.

The Theory of Everything is based on a memoir written by Jane Hawking, Stephen Hawking's first wife. It tells the story of Stephen's ALS diagnosis, his marriage to Jane, their divorce, and Stephen's many professional successes along the way. At the heart of the movie is the love story between Stephen and Jane, played brilliantly by Eddie Redmayne (who won the Oscar for his performance) and Felicity Jones (who was nominated for an Oscar for her performance) respectively. Redmayne's transformation into Hawking is completely believable but Jones's subtle and powerful performance is the one that stayed with me after the movie ended.

The movie is also beautifully shot and the script is well-written, but the material is heavy, heavy stuff. Part of that is the nature of ALS itself and the stress it puts on its victims and their families. But even more than that, because we see the progression of the characters' love and their roller coaster marriage, their divorce and the trials they face are that much more emotional and difficult to watch. That's my only complaint. I didn't get a lot of relief from the grief. I give The Theory of Everything an 8 out of 10.

Have you seen The Theory of Everything? What Redbox movies should I rent next? Let me know in the comments section below. :)

-Greer