In a nutshell do not tell about the "Stephen Hawking Universe". This magnificent film tells not only about the life of the most famous physicist of our time - it is about the value of love and family, about support that allows you to overcome any difficulties. Let's talk more about the "Stephen Hawking Universe." Everything about everything related to this film is described later in this article.
Basic movie info
The original title of the film "Theory of Everything" is the name of the scientific and philosophical concept about the origin and existence of everything that exists. This concept was adhered to by Stephen Hawking, a theoretical physicist and cosmologist, around whose biography the plot of the picture unfolds. In the Russian box office, the name was changed - in order to attract as many viewers as possible interested in the life and work of the scientist, it was necessary to put his name in the title. Therefore, they decided to use the literal name of the collection of his scientific works. At the heart of the "Stephen Hawking Universe" is the book of his first wife Jane Hawking - "Traveling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen." These are memoirs telling about the relationship of Stephen and Jane from the moment they first met. The film was completely shot at Cambridge University, where the future spouses studied and met.
The world premiere of the picture took place on September 7, 2014 at the festival in Toronto (Canada). In the UK, the show began on January 1, 2015. In Russia, the movie "Stephen Hawking's Universe" was released on February 26, 2015.
History of the "Stephen Hawking Universe" - summary
The plot of the film begins with an introduction to the main characters - students at Cambridge University. This is astrophysicist Stephen Hawking and Jane Wilde, a student of classical literature. The plot time of the "Stephen Hawking Universe" begins in the 60s of the 20th century - it is in this segment that young people who are different from each other meet and feel mutual attraction to each other.
The viewer learns that student Hawking is significantly superior to his peers in his abilities in physics, mathematics and astronomy. But at the same time, he can not find a topic for a dissertation. Stephen's supervisor, Professor Dennis William Siam, invites him to attend a lecture on black holes together. Hawking suggests that black holes could be part of the creation of the universe, and decides to write his dissertation about this.
During active research aimed at creating a dissertation, Stephen Hawking overworkes his muscles, loses his balance and hits his head. In the hospital, the young man is informed that he has Lou Gehrig’s disease - damage to motor neurons or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Simply put, in the near future he will quickly forget how to control his body, will not be able to walk, talk, breathe and swallow. Doctors announce that in this state, Stephen will live no more than two years. But Hawking is most concerned about what will happen to his brain, but the doctor consoles him - the disease will not affect his mind.
Stephen literally locks himself up for a long time to finish his dissertation, as he is sure that he will not live longer than the allotted time. All this time, Jane, who does not fully understand the scale of the problem, tries to help Stephen in her own way - she calls him for walks, in every way slowing the sick young man. Upon learning the truth, the girl confesses to Stephen in love. She believes that love is able to defeat all obstacles, and decides to go for life "into the Universe" with Stephen Hawking. Jane goes to Hawking's father and says that she is ready to be with him even in the most difficult situation. Father warns that life will be very difficult, to which the girl replies: "Don't I look like a strong person?"
Young people are playing a wedding. This moment is one of the best "Stephen Hawking's Universe", as it was reproduced from reliable wedding photos and videos. Below is a comparison of the frame from the film and two real wedding photos of Stephen and Jane Hawking.
The young people got married in 1965, and two years later their firstborn was born - son Robert. Viewers understand that the doctors ’forecast for at least one year turned out to be erroneous - Stephen can still talk and is able to move around with his cane. At the same time, he is completing his dissertation and appears before the commission. Hawking sets out his idea of ​​creating our universe afterwards the Big Bang from a black hole. Therefore, in the future, the Universe will face Big Compression. The idea provokes a mixed reaction of the commission. On the same day, the Hawking couple and their friends celebrate the defense of the dissertation - Stephen realizes that he cannot go down the stairs. After this day, he begins to move with the help of a wheelchair.
1970 year. Stephen and Jane have a daughter, Lucy. At this time, Hawking developed his theory of the visibility of black holes and gained the fame of a world famous scientist. Meanwhile, Jane, forced to take care not only of children, but also of her husband, does not finish her studies - she does not have time for a dissertation. She puts her academic degree on the altar of Hawking glory. In order to somehow escape, Jane decides to start singing in the church choir - she did this in her youth. She meets the leader of the choir - the widower Jonathan Jones. Jane hires him as a piano teacher for Robert, but soon Jonathan becomes a close friend and almost part of the Hawking family - he helps Jane with household chores, takes care of the children and takes care of Stephen, literally carrying him in his arms during family walks.
Due to such proximity, when Jane became pregnant for the third time in 1979, Stephen's mother suspects that Jonathan is the father of the child. This is very insulting to a woman because she was not in an intimate relationship with anyone but her husband. But this conversation was overheard by Jonathan himself, and that very evening she and Jane confessed to the feelings they feel for each other. They decide to break off all relationships. But Stephen, seeing that his wife is suffering without Jonathan, asks him to come to them again.
Stephen Hawking is invited to France for an opera performance. He leaves, and right during the performance he gets an attack of pneumonia - he is taken away by ambulance. Jane comes to him, and doctors say that he needs a tracheotomy, as a result of which Stephen will not be able to speak or even make any sounds. Spouse agrees to the necessary operation. Unaware of how to talk now, Jane hires her husband a nurse named Elaine. She has extensive experience working with such patients, and she quickly teaches Stephen communication with a letter board. Soon, a computer-based artificial speech system was created specifically for him - with a word recording and a special clicker that allows Hawking to "speak" up to 15 words per minute. Using this invention, the scientist writes the book A Brief History of Time, which becomes a worldwide bestseller, increasing the already enormous fame of Stephen Hawking.
In Stephen Hawking’s Universe, the best dramatic moment is the scene when Stephen tells his wife, as if nothing had happened, that he was invited to accept the award for a book in the USA and that he would go with Elaine, and not with her. Only at this moment does Jane's last hope dissipate, and she realizes that her marriage no longer makes any sense. Spouses mutually come to the decision to get a divorce. In the end, Stephen marries Elaine, and Jane reunites with Jonathan. During the presentation of the award, Hawking gives a very inspiring speech about the fact that there are no limits to human capabilities - while he longs for a fantasy that he can easily get out of his chair to give a fallen handle.
Stephen Hawking presents himself with the Order of the Knights of Honor from Queen Elizabeth II herself - he invites his ex-wife to this ceremony to share this important day with his children. Looking at them, Stephen tells Jane: "Just look at what we created together."
The film ends with the reverse sequence of frames throughout the life of Stephen and Jane - until their first meeting. Then follows information on how the main characters lived at the time of the creation of the picture. Below is a beautiful and interesting trailer for the movie "Stephen Hawking's Universe."
Actors
Even before the filming began, the director of the film, James Marsh, wanted to see in the title role only the actor Eddie Redmayne, who has an amazing external resemblance to Stephen Hawking. Prior to that, he played a prominent role Colin Clark in the 2011 film "Seven Days and Nights with Marilyn Monroe." The actress Felicity Jones was approved for the female role, having not so much a real resemblance to Jane Hawking, but similar to her in behavior, manners and character. In 2013, she brilliantly performed the role of Charles Dickens’s last lover, Nellie Ternan, in the film The Invisible Woman.
The role of Jonathan Jones went to the English actor Charlie Cox, and Elaine Mason was brilliantly played by actress Maxine Peak. Stephen's parents - Frank and Isobel Hawking - were played by Simon McBurney and Abigail Kruttenden. The role of physics professor Dennis Siam was played by the famous actor David Thewlis. Hawking's friend named Brian was played by a young actor Harry Lloyd.
"Stephen Hawking's Universe" - the story of creation
Screenwriter Anthony McCartin first “plunged” into the Universe with Stephen Hawking when he read his book A Brief History of Time back in 1988. In 2004, Jane Hawking’s memoirs fell into McCartin’s hands, and he immediately proceeded to adapt them to the script, even though he had no guarantees regarding film rights. When the script was ready, Anthony met with Jane in person and, having received her permission, presented the script to the producers. Then James Marsh was approved as the director of this picture.
As mentioned above, actor Eddie Redmayne planned for the main role at a time when the filming dates were not even approved. After his consent, the selection of actors for all other roles began. James Marsh studied in detail all available photos and videos from the life of Stephen Hawking and his wife - wherever there were real moments in the film, the director tried to make them “copies” of the original events, down to the movements and gestures of the characters, not to mention the accurately reproduced clothes and setting.
Eddie Radmein arranged a meeting with Stephen Hawking himself - the scientist blessed the actor to fulfill his image, and also allowed him to use his "real" computer voice in the film. Raidmain himself said that despite the inability to move, the seething thirst for life is still visible in Hawking's eyes. For six months, the actor studied all the interviews and lectures with Steven, trying to study not only his behavior, but also the visual reflection of a progressive disease.
According to reviews of the "Stephen Hawking Universe" from Stephen Hawking himself, Eddie Radmayne brilliantly coped with the role - during the premiere of the film, the nurse wiped a tear from the scientist's face.
Felicity Jones also received praise from the prototype of her character - during an interview on the television show “Woman’s Hour,” Jane Hawking said that she met the actress several times during the filming. Subsequently, she was simply delighted to see that on the screen Felicity used not only Jane's characteristic gestures and manners, but even used her speech turns and some accents.
Before the start of the main filming for the film, which at that time still had no name, a series of full-scale background filming was made. From September 23 to 27, 2013, shooting took place on the lawn in front of the New Court building, as well as background shots of the May Ball, which took place in 1963. Storyless scenes were also shot on the territory of St. John's College, as well as in scenic spots Queens Road and Queens Green.
The main shootings of the movie "Stephen Hawking's Universe" began on October 8, 2013. Most of the scenes were shot in Cambridge and Cambridgeshire. The last full-scale shooting was the stage of the May Ball, then scenes were created in the rooms and lecture halls. The remaining shots in the pavilions were shot in the last five weeks of production. A magnificent salute for the May Ball scene was prepared by the Titanium Fireworks fireworks studio - they were the ones who were engaged in the pyrotechnic part of the opening and closing shows of the London Olympics.
Musical accompaniment
In the positive reviews of the "Stephen Hawking Universe" special attention was paid to the musical accompaniment of the picture. The soundtrack was created by the Icelandic composer Johann Johannsson. He created compositions that perfectly reflect the essence of the film, created from mixing acoustic orchestra parts with electronic music. The soundtrack was fully recorded at the famous Abbey Road studio. For his work, Johannsson was nominated for Oscars, BAFTA, Grammys and Golden Globes, but he was awarded only the latter.
Historical distortion
Despite the fact that the film was accepted and approved by both Hawking himself and his ex-wife, it contains a huge number of inconsistencies with real facts. For example, the film shows that Hawking finds out about his illness already during a relationship with Jane, and she herself remains unaware for some time about the extent of the problem. In reality, Jane found out about Stephen’s disease before a romantic relationship began. Stephen’s best friend in the film is a young man named Brian - but in reality, Hawking didn’t have such a friend, the authors of the film endowed him with the qualities of different friends, making a collective image. But the biggest historical mistake is the breakup of the Hawking spouses. In the film, this is a mutually respectful conversation, saturated with tears. In reality, the gap was severe, with scandal and long-term separation without a divorce. The fact that Stephen now lives with his carer Elaine, he told Jane in a letter - at that time they already lived separately.
The film also shows that at the time of receiving the Order of the Knights of Honor, Stephen and Jane are already divorced and come together only on the basis of mutual respect and the desire to become friends. In fact, they have not yet been officially divorced and have not even divorced, but because Hawking could come to the award only with her. The ceremony took place in 1989, in 1990 the couple began to live separately, and in 1995 divorced.
Awards and nominations
The film "Stephen Hawking's Universe" was nominated for five major Oscar awards - "Best Film", "Best Adapted Screenplay", "Best Music" and for best male and female roles of the first plan. However, only Eddie Redmayne won the award. He also won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor, as did composer Johann Johannsson for Best Music. The record number of BAFTA nominations is ten categories. The winners were the Best British Film, Best Actor and Best Adapted Screenplay awards.
Critic reviews
According to reviews of the "Stephen Hawking Universe" on the main Rotten Tomatoes movie rating site, the picture received an approval rating of 79% based on more than 230 reviews, whose average rating was 7.3 out of 10. American and English film critics primarily noted Eddie Redmayne's game, naming her "magnificent breakthrough" and "true creative achievement." The game Felicity Jones was also generally noted as very talented, "capable of permanently securing the name of this actress in the minds of the audience." Also, as mentioned above, the music of Johann Johannson was highly praised.
But there are negative opinions about the film. For example, some critics agreed that those who are not familiar with the work of Stephen Hawking, it will be completely unclear who he is and what he is famous for. Excessive emphasis on the personal life of the scientist displaces from the plot what he was in the first place.
In Russia, the rating of the film on the Kinopoisk website was 8 out of 10. Most domestic film critics rated the film highly, but there were also those who also believe that it is incorrect to call the film biographical. "Maybe this is a biography of love, but certainly not a biography of the greatest scientist of our time," wrote Nikolai Kornatsky in the newspaper Izvestia.
Spectator reviews
Judging by the numerous reviews of the "Stephen Hawking Universe" on the IMDb and "Kinopoisk" sites, ordinary viewers generally accepted the film very warmly. If there are negative opinions - they are similar to the discontent of critics and speak of the incorrect arrangement of plot priorities. There were no complaints about acting, directing, camera work and music in general. Many viewers, including in Russia, wrote that they would be happy to review this beautiful story of life, love and struggle. Many also noticed that it was this film that gave them an impetus to get acquainted with the biography and scientific activities of Stephen Hawking. By the way, a new surge in film views coincided with the recent demise of the scientist in March 2018.
Quotes
Top quotes from the "Stephen Hawking Universe":
Obviously, we are just a developed species of primates on a small planet that revolves around an ordinary star on the outskirts of one Galaxy among one hundred million of the same. But even at the dawn of civilization, people sought to understand the nature of the world. Perhaps there is something very unusual in that the Universe is limited, but even more unusual is that perhaps there are no borders at all. And there must be no limit to the daring of man. We are all different. And no matter how terrible life may seem, there is always something to succeed in. As long as there is life, there is hope.
“Here I am sitting, calculating the mathematical probability of happiness.” “And the result?” “It is close to zero. But I haven't figured it out yet.
“You didn't mention why you didn't believe in God.” - A physicist cannot afford to embroil in his calculations faith in the supernatural. - This is more likely an argument against physicists, and not against God.
Maybe I don’t look like a strong man, but I love Stephen, and Stephen loves me.
This is a phenomenon that I am observing, but I cannot imagine my participation in it.
The brain will not suffer. You will think as before. Only ... But only no one will know what.
The fact that the Earth revolves around the Sun will be the same nonsense as the fact that it stands on a turtle.
Similar movies
First of all, films similar to the "Stephen Hawking Universe" should include another biographical picture about Hawking, shot in 2004. Here, the role of the main character was played by the famous actor Benedict Cumberbatch, and the plot tells about the university’s academic years.
And the plot is similar to the "Stephen Hawking Universe" are the films "Mind Games" (2001), "Game of Imitation" (2014, starring again Benedict Cumberbatch), "1 + 1: The Untouchables" (2011), “A spacesuit and a butterfly” (2007), “My left leg” (1989). By the way, it was with the work of actor Daniel Day-Lewis, who played the main role in the film "My Left Leg", many critics compared the game of Eddie Redmayne. This film also tells the story of a paralyzed disabled person who overcame himself - Irish artist Christy Brown.