PatientWolf Reviews

The Theory of Everything (2014)

The Theory of Everything - While there is life, there is hope.

[9/10 · 8 September 2014]

"There should be no boundary between human endeavour," Stephen Hawking explains during a press conference. It is this line that strikes a chord at the very centre of James Marsh's incredible biopic on one of the most brilliant scientists of our time. The Theory of Everything is not just a story about the science behind the beginnings of our universe, but the science of love; and how life's challenges that we face everyday, shape who we are and what we achieve. Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones turn in phenomenal performances as the revolutionary Stephen Hawking and his former wife Jane Wilde. Eddie's mentally and physically challenging role, displaying Hawkings brilliance and motor neuron disease, are extremely commendable and impressive (a sure fire for a Best Actor nomination at next year's Oscars). On the more sensitive side, Felecity displays the endless love and powerful fight Jane brought to the Hawking household. As the years pass, their lives are changed tremendously in very profound and heart-wrenching ways. The movie does not shy away from making Hawking a complex character, as well as Jane, showing both their positive and negative sides. I really liked that the movie was able to shape them into fully well-rounded characters despite the "romance" aspect of it. The score for the film is tremendous.. absolutely outstanding! It hits all the right marks, brings upon emotions right when you are on the verge of tears, leaves you in awe after a beautiful monologue, and finishes with a melancholy but very fitting tone. The script and directing were top-notch.. right up there with the best... and the cinematography? give that guy an award already! A masterpiece to watch. While some critics may be quick to judge how the film focuses more on the romance rather than the science that made Hawking so renowned, I believe that the love is what made him who he is today. Human endeavour is endless... Stephen never gave up hope, nor did Jane... and though their lives ended up in different places, it was their years together that displayed to us how a little bit of hope can go a very, very long way.

Verdict: A beautiful story that shows how time and love are limitless... no beginning, no end (despite his earlier hypothesis). *****

In Theatres: November 7th, 2014 (USA), January 2, 2015 (UK)

Safe Haven (I) (2013)

A "Safe Haven" For Fans of Sparks

[6/10 · 9 June 2013]

Things are getting a little more dangerous in North Carolina in the latest adaption of Nicholas Sparks' romance thriller "Safe Haven". Over the years there have been a multitude of Sparks novels turned into movies and only a small handful have gone on to critical success... most notably The Notebook. But the books keep on getting written, the movies keep on getting made, and the public keep on paying their hard earned money. Is it worth it? A sappy love story that always has a formulaic tragic ending? If it's making money then a guess so. So what's in store for the latest Sparks film?

The film follows Katie (Julianne Hough), a girl on the run from a dark past. She stumbles into the small coastal North Carolina town of Southport. The residents speak of it as just a little pit stop for those travelling in North Carolina... nobody ever stays... perfect for Katie. A place no one can find her. A Safe Haven if you will. It is here that she meets Alex (Josh Duhamel), a widowed father of two that owns the local convenience shop. Things start off rocky for the two as she doesn't want to get close with anyone. If they discover who she is, then they will discover the reason she's on the run. A friendly neighbour Jo (Cobie Smulders) guides Katie through the ups and downs during her stay in Southport, eventually convincing her to open up more to Alex. In the wake of Southport, Kevin (David Lyons), a Boston cop, is hot on her trail with a warrant for her arrest under first degree murder. As Katie gets close with Alex and his kids, Kevin closes in on finding her which eventually leads to a big climax and an unexpected twist.

I don't want to spoil the whole movie, so I will leave the twist and little details out. I found the movie to be one of the better adaptions to a Sparks novel. Having not read the book beforehand, I can't say if the actors fit the roles well, but I thought they did a good job with what they had. Julianne is still on the rising scale of the acting spectrum, but I found her believable in the role of a nervous girl on the run. Josh was very good in his role of a widowed father of two, having to deal with a rebellious son and a sweet daughter.

The film, however cheesy and formulaic it was, came to life on the screen. The production and filming locations were very picturesque. The storyline was interesting and keeps you guessing from beginning till end (even though you know how it's going to end... well mostly).

Surprisingly, it may be the least romantic movie out of all of Sparks' adaptions. What with a stalker cop hot on Katie's trails, thriller nightmares that Katie can't stop having, and a parade scene that almost seems reminiscent of the 90s slasher "I Know What You Did Last Summer" (which funny enough takes place in the same small town during the exact same parade.... you might as well call this movie "I Know What You Did Last Week"). It does have its moment of cheese, like the predictable canoe ride, the dramatic conclusion, and the fluffy ending... but you go in expecting that stuff. You put your expectations any higher than that and you will be disappointed.

Safe Haven is a movie that actually contains more than just your average romance formula. The added Thriller element makes this movie something unique and interesting... even if it clocks in at almost two hours. I did not find myself bored in the slightest. Don't go in expecting The Notebook, they are not the same movie. Don't go in expecting an all star cast with Oscar winning performances. Don't go in expecting a plot any more than what other Nicholas Sparks novels are about.

Go in with an open mind, and you just may find yourself liking it after all. It has faults, but what movie doesn't? I think you may be surprised.