Best Picture Nominees — The Theory of Everything


The Academy Awards are a month away, so it's time to deep dive into the Best Picture nominees and review their chances.

Movie: The Theory of Everything
Nominations: 5
Nominated For: Best Picture, Best Actor (Eddie Redmayne), Best Actress (Felicity Jones), Best Adapted Screenplay (Anthony McCarten), Best Original Score
About: "The Theory of Everything" is one of a handful of biopics that have dominated the Academy Award nominations this year. This film is about Stephen Hawking — going back in time to just before he was diagnosed with ALS, and tracking his marriage, early career, and how he got to where he is now. The film is really about its performances — particularly Redmayne, who gives a very interesting and physical performance. His performance earned him the Golden Globe earlier this month, which has some suggesting he's a serious challenger for the Academy Award, as well. While I think he's up among the top two or three, I think it will be a challenge for him to win. The same goes for Felicity Jones, who gives a great performance as Hawking's wife, Jane. The win for her might just be in being nominated. The other win "The Theory of Everything" scored at the Golden Globes was for original score. It's similarly nominated at the Academy Awards, and that might be the film's best chance for a win. I liked this movie. I thought it told the story really well and it's a somewhat fascinating story. However, the film feels like it was made to be Oscar bait, in some ways. It's not as focused on Hawking's work — and his incredible contributions to science — as it is to his marriage and his struggle to live with a debilitating disease. I felt like it also sort of glosses over more recent events to put a happier spin on the end of the story. That's probably due, in part, to the fact the film comes from a book that was told from Jane's perspective. That's not terrible, but it might keep the film from being what it could have been. It's a good movie, but it's not a great movie, and I think that will hold it back in the race for Best Picture.
Rating: PG-13 for some thematic elements and suggestive material.
Verdict: Four stars out of four.
"The Theory of Everything" is now playing nationwide.

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