The Theory of Everything. One single unifying equation that explains everything in the universe. That is the question. The one that encompasses the life of an early Stephen Hawking. A biopic and an utterly affecting story of romance and the struggles of life, this is “The Theory of Everything”.

The movie follows Stephen Hawking (Eddie Redmayne) from his early college days of a care free life loving atheist to the end of his first marriage with Jane Hawking (Felicity Jones). The struggles, the memories, the highs, the lows all beautifully depicted in a film that shines.

The Theory of everything directed by James Marsh well known for his Academy Award winning documentary feature “Man on Wire” is just dazzling. The Screenplay by Anthony McCarten is an adaptation of Jane Hawking’s memoir “Travelling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen”. The Writing strong and striking. Dialogue’s beautifully intertwined and the story beautifully paced. The movies hits high notes on every single element.

The design and music speak for themselves. With an atmosphere of pure comfort the movies a breeze to watch. The colors a beautiful pale. The music is just something else. The Score by Jóhann Jóhannsson is elevating, heartbreaking and profoundly affecting, which got it the Golden Globe for Best Original Score.

Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones are the crowning jewels in this movie. Their performances bring this movie to life. It essentially breathes the heart and soul into this movie. Eddie Redmayne has given the performance of his life thus far. The happiness, the peril, the entire emotional calling was just effortlessly brought to life. Redmayne becomes the role rather than plays it. And Jones embodying the character of Jane, easily showcasing her aspect in Hawking’s life and her own. Redmayne having won the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Drama category is easily the front runner for the Academy Award for Best Actor for which too he was nominated, and he won. Felicity Jones too was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress.

One of last year’s most inspiring and moving movies for sure. “The Theory of Everything” is not to be missed. The movie is nominated for a total of 5 Academy Awards for Best Original Score, Best Adapted Screen Play, Best Actress, Best Actor and Best Picture. Currently screening at the Empire Gold Cinema at the Independence Arcade, I urge you to let this movie move and inspire you.

Reviewed by Aasif Faiz