THE PEMBROKESHIRE HERALD FRIDAY JANUARY 30 2015
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61 Entertainment
A truly humbling biopic
By Johnny Vaughan (The Torch) BETTER late than never eh!
Finally I have got round to seeing this multi Oscar nominated film. Obviously I knew what it was about and for me there was some poignancy as my wife’s father sadly passed away from the same illness that afflicted Stephen Hawking. The film is the biopic of the
brilliant physicist’s journey from Phd student to publisher of ‘A Brief History of Time’, not so much in terms of his science career, but moreover of his life and marriage, and how it was so dramatically
affected by Motor
Neurone Disease, with which he was diagnosed in 1963, indeed, it is as much about Jane Hawking as it is the eminent scientist. What is incredible is that, given only 2 years to live, he is still alive today and still publishing brilliant
and innovative physics
material. Playing Stephen Hawking is Eddie Redmayne who gives a very physical and convincing performance that will surely land him the Oscar - that must be a given in my opinion. However, Felicity Jones, as his wife Jane, must be in line for the Oscar too, because, simply put, her acting was stunning in this film, as someone who stood by Hawking, loved him and cared for him at incredible personal cost, even when it was evident the two had lost romantic interest in each other.
Sometimes a film comes along
that, as a critic, you can only just put your hand up and say, ‘you know what I am humbled by this piece and I have no business passing comment on it’. This was such a film, but as I have nothing negative to say I will attempt to continue in my hack handed way to convey its brilliance. I
have already cited the
performances, which are faultless. I have not seen someone deteriorate first hand from this illness but I can now imagine its impact on those around. Most people do not survive Motor Neurone Disease past a couple of years and it is easy to see why, but Stephen Hawking has defied the odds by being with us for an additional 50 years. That is a cause for celebration which is what the film is really, for his work in the field of physics has changed how we look at the Cosmos and the Universe in which we live. His contribution to scientific understanding is possibly unparalleled. It would have been easy for the film to play notes that hit the tear duct button, but it did not. That isn't to say you are saved from tears - you won’t be, believe me - but there is a touching level of humour in this film, and why shouldn't there be? This film is a celebration of Hawking’s life, as a scientist, yes, but more importantly as a man and father. Real people, no matter how dire the circumstances, retain that humanity which comes with
Te Teory of Everything
Oscar Certainty: British masterpiece.
all the emotions, including the ability for laughter and it is great the film did not do a ‘Love Story’ and present this personal tragedy in a schmaltzy way. This film must certainly win 3 of
the Oscars: Best Picture; Best Actor in a Leading Role and Best Actress in a Leading Role. A great and important film.
Reduced fares for historic railway THE VALE OF RHEIDOL
RAILWAY is offering reduced fares for anyone living in SY or SA postcodes for the whole of February half term (February 14 to 22 February). During the ‘Locals Discount Week’, local residents will be entitled to the reduced fares of £10 for adults, seniors and students and £5 for children aged 3 to 15. This offers a discount of almost half price on their 2015 ticket prices, an offer not to miss.
The railway hopes this
offer will allow many locals the chance to take the journey through one of the most scenic valleys in Wales. Not only that, but with the railway’s many developments over the last few years, they are keen
to show them off to the local community, many of whom may not have travelled through the Rheidol for many years. There will be two departures
a day from Aberystwyth station at 10.30am and 2pm offering full line returns to Devil’s Bridge. Alternatively the train can be boarded at Devil’s Bridge at 12.30pm and 4.15pm; however, the 4.15pm train only offers a single journey to Aberystwyth. The discount is only available when the tickets are bought on the day from the Aberystwyth Booking Office, Discounts do not apply to advance or online tickets. For more information check out our website: www.rheidolrailway.
co.uk or call us on 01970 625819
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