Tide, Spirals and the Real ALS: The Theory of Everything

I’ve got a confession to make, and I’m ready to let my nerd flag fly. Here goes: I love astronomy, space, and all things about exploring our universe. I took Astronomy twice. Once in high school and then again in college. Not because I failed and had to retake it, but because I wanted to. If I were even remotely good at math, I would have been an astrophysicist. No joke.

So, when That’s Normal offered me the chance to go see the new Stephen Hawking biopic The Theory of Everything and share my thoughts with you all, well … I’ll let Kermit speak for me:

Not only because this movie looked AMAZING, but because my #MCM list sometimes includes Bill Nye, Neil DeGrasse Tyson, Carl Sagan and, of course, Stephen Hawking. What can I say? I’m hopeless for smart guys in turtlenecks and thick glasses.

For those of you who have ZERO idea what I’m talking about, here’s the trailer.

I’ll wait.

RIGHT? Just the trailer gave me all the feels. What could be better than the beautiful/charming/amazing Eddie Redmayne and the gorgeous Felicity Jones, Lupin from Harry Potter and that hottie from Stardust!? I contend, not much.

So, last night I grabbed a lot of tissues and a friend, and settled in for the screening. And holy moly. It did not disappoint. My friend and I checked in this morning, and neither of us has stopped thinking about the movie and how it made us feel. Good sign, right?

Here are my six main take-aways if you’re planning a trip to see this (and you really should):

You may want to bring tissues

This movie is about a sweet (but real feeling) romance, but it’s also about living with a degenerative illness. The story follows the steady decline of Hawking’s health, but still manages to make you feel hopeful. Hawkings’ life story is one of tragic triumph and optimism. He started with a prognosis of two years and has gone on to live a full lifetime. He was diagnosed with ALS at 21 years old, and is now 72 and can speak only by operating a computer with his eye muscles. If that’s not a recipe for the feels, I’m not really sure what is.

Little-to-no prior “cosmology” knowledge is required

Honestly. You don’t need to be an astro-nerd like me or understand anything about black holes, singularities or the expansion of the universe to appreciate this beautifully shot film. This is about people and life and responding to all the chaos that often lands in our laps.

Eddie Redmayne is a flipping genius

I cannot even begin to understand how daunting it would be to play a real person who is still alive, let alone a real person with a very distinct physical disability. Eddie is clearly so committed to this role and he totally succeeds in avoiding an unflattering caricature. Playing someone with a physical disability in a real, honest way is not easy. His portrayal of Hawking’s facial expressions and labored movements was nuanced and precise. From what I’ve read, he met with Stephen and studied at an ALS clinic for 6 months prior to shooting. I will loudly protest if he’s not nominated for an Oscar.

Jane Wilde Hawking is an amazing, courageous woman

We cannot know what we would do or how we would respond in a situation where our partner is given two years to live. I have mad respect for this impressive woman who earned a PhD while simultaneously caring for her ailing husband. Felicity Jones plays Jane Wilde honestly and carefully. The audience is given front-row seats to the sadness, frustration and grief associated with watching the person you love essentially dissolve before your eyes.

ALS is a horrible, tragic disease

Thanks to the millions of YouTube videos and the ice bucket challenge, there is now at least a little more awareness of this disease. But even after all that, I had no freaking clue what it actually meant to have ALS. Sadly, I think most of us have seen someone we love wither away because of illness, coping in whatever way they and you know how. This movie is one of the most honest portrayals of that struggle that I’ve seen in a long time.

If physics hadn’t panned out, Stephen Hawking could have tried comedy

If the real Stephen Hawking is half as witty as the movie Stephen Hawking (and I suspect he is), man. This guy. Self-deprecating, funny, excellent timing. Hawking’s jokes about himself, his condition and the world around him provide the much-needed comic relief in this film.

Throughout the whole movie and it’s lovely, romantic moments and powerful dialog, I couldn’t stop thinking about how little I really knew about Stephen Hawking. I now have such a greater appreciation for his genius and his determination to change how we think about the world. He’ll be on my #mcm list for a long time to come.

The Theory of Everything is out now. Will you be seeing it? You know, after you’re done crying from the trailer? 

Written by Bethany

Bethany’s current obsessions: Donuts, free online yoga videos, orange cats, new recipes, wine, Outlander, Reign, basically any overly dramatic period drama, star gazing, and leopard print flats. Follow her @bethanyrsaxon