Steineded How sad is this?

Gurlyndrobb While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

Arianna Moses Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

Lela The tone of this movie is interesting -- the stakes are both dramatic and high, but it's balanced with a lot of fun, tongue and cheek dialogue.

Judith McKenzie The Theory of Everything is a fine film, as Hollywood films go, but this BBC Production "Hawking," made several years earlier, has me wondering why Hollywood bothered, as none could match the performances in nor the spirit of this film. A lovely portrayal (as usual) by Cumberbatch as Hawking, and Firth makes the perfect (sympathetic and pitiable) antagonist. This film, in contrast to the recent Hollywood knock-off, focuses on the brilliance and courage of an amazing man with an amazing mind. The film begins in the 1960s, prior to the onset of Hawking's motor neuron disease, and focuses on his struggle to maintain his work while fighting the progression of motor dysfunction. As a (retired) member of the academy, I can attest to the realism of the struggles he faces in gaining support for his work, and the energy required to do so, brilliantly portrayed in this film. I was privileged to see Professor Hawking speak once in Seattle, and one knew that one was in the presence of a once-in-a-generation mind. This film, and Cumberbatch's performance, authentically conveys that sense. Highly recommended.

bearva-93495 I rated it quite high because of several factors. It's about a subject I am quite fond of (science), and Mr Cumberbatch is always a wonderful actor. I won't go into too much, other than it is the original that the "The Theory of Everything" is patterned on. I was quite agitated with Hollywood (per usual) for remaking something that had no need to be remade. This original "Hawking" is so good, it deserves to be known as the only one. I've seen both, and in my opinion, "Hawking" is the one to choose over "The Theory of Everything". The Hollywood movie version spent too much time on his wife's wicked love interest as Hollywood does so often, where this version (Hawking) concentrated on the science, the discovery, and Mr Hawking himself. Great stuff!Highly recommend!

flashman1_2000-1 This has just shown on BBC2 here in the U.K this very night, and i'am still thinking about it five hour's later. the performances of the cast especially Benedict Cumberbatch as the young Stephen Hawking were superb. The sreenplay while somewhat fictionalized was to the point and highly emotive. The scienific plight of Hawking was simply and well told and the scenes of his horribly degenerating disease( M.N) are highly moving. My uncle died of this disease a year after being diagnosed, that Hawking has continued living with this disease for forty years is not only a testament to his will but also the passion he holds in his life and groundbreaking work. Superb! This should win awards around the world seriously and far, far better than the over praised A Beautiful Mind.Hawking truly was a beautiful mind.

joebloggsy (****Possible spoilers****)This dramatisation of the life of a young Stephen Hawking is excellent, an enjoyable programme to watch. Cumberbatch fits the title role perfectly, and the entire cast shine.I did not really know much about Hawking before watching this, and found myself intrigued by the nature of his realisation of the big bang theory, as well as his personal struggle with motor neurone disease. The whole thing left me feeling inspired. It deals with his illness without focusing too much on it or being maudlin. After all, the man is a genius who should be remembered for his work more than for his ailments.Overall, extremely enjoyable to watch, suitable for the whole family.