"The Theory Of Everything" has everything going for it: amazing story, fine acting and superb filmmaking.

If that's not enough for Oscar consideration, the film also tugs at the heartstrings. "The Theory Of Everything" represents a triumph of the spirit, of mind over matter and, yes, of faith versus fate.You may be familiar with the story of theoretical physicist Dr. Stephen Hawking (portrayed by the amazing Eddie Redmayne), given two years to live circa 1963 while a student at Cambridge University when diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, a motor neuron disease also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. To paraphrase, "Does it affect the brain?" he asks the physician.Hawking, now 72, authored "A Brief History Of Time: From The Big Bang To Black Holes" (1988), with more than 8 million copies sold. Hawking continues to study the "space-time singularity at the center of black holes.""The Theory Of Everything" is more than a scientific treatise or biography of Hawking, well-profiled on film ("A Brief History of Time," 1991), television and in TV series he's helped create. The film is about the equation of marriage rather than math equations. It's a story of love triumphing over adversity. Jane Wilde Hawking (the superb Felicity Jones) is presented as fiercely defending not only her husband's needs, but his dreams."The Theory Of Everything" is sensitively directly by James Marsh (2008 "Man On Wire" documentary about World Trade Center wire walker Philippe Petite). Marsh even makes Hawking's numerical chalk scrawls on the blackboard compelling.Screenwriter Anthony McCarten ("Death Of A Superhero," 2011) adapted Jane Wilde Hawking's book, "Travelling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen."Hawking's malady happened in an era of technological advancements, which the film dutifully depicts: self-controlled motorized wheelchair, computer-screen communication, and voice synthesizer (Hawking's electronic voice is used).The film evokes metaphors: Darwinism versus Creationism, atheist (Stephen Hawking) versus Christian believer (Jane Hawking). The film implies that Jane's faith provides a big tent. "Cosmology is religion for the intelligent," according to Stephen Hawking, who disputes "the celestial dictatorship premise." While God may be the most "endangered species," he apparently enjoys having Stephen Hawking on Planet Earth.Whereas one of this year's other Oscar contenders, "Interstellar," which depicts human colonization of other planets (which Hawking advocates), is ostensibly outward-bound, "The Theory Of Everything" in an inward journey of the spirit and no less harrowing.The visual symbolism of the circle informs the cosmology of "The Theory Of Everything": black holes, bicycle wheels, wheelchair wheels, a spiral staircase. The color palette moves from honey gold to dispassionate blue. The lighting is sometimes gauzy. Grainy scenes replicate home movies of the Hawkings' wedding and three children. The editing is contemplative, in keeping with the subject matter. The score by Jóhann Jóhannsson ("Prisoners," 2013) exhorts the characters' emotions.Redmayne, best-known as Marius opposite Cosette (Amanda Seyfried) in "Les Miserables" (2012), deserves an Oscar actor nomination. He's a favorite based on the "My Left Foot" (1989) principle whereby Oscar voters prefer actors portraying people with physical or emotional challenges.Redmayne disappears into the role. He scrunches up his body, with even his fingers twisted, evokes a pained, lips frozen facial expression, with dancing eyes ever-ready to express Hawking's impish sense of humor. Redmayne is thoroughly convincing.Jones ("The Amazing Spider-Man 2," 2014) should garner an Oscar actress nomination. Hers is the less showy role. She provides the courageous calm in the midst of her husband's stormy malady. It's a remarkably believable performance.Supporting performances are good, including Charlie Sox as a helpful minister, David Thewlis as Hawking's college professor, Emily Watson as Wilde's mother and Simon McBurney as Hawking's father."The Theory Of Everything" is at times difficult to watch. It's "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" (2007) meets "A Beautiful Mind" (2001). It's a heart-breaker. It's inspirational. Be prepared to salt your popcorn with your tears.Stephen Hawking is still looking for "The Theory Of Everything," that space and time conundrum. You may discover "the God Particle" in this film."The Theory Of Everything," MPAA rated PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned. Some Material May Be Inappropriate For Children Under 13.) for some thematic elements and suggestive material; Genre: Biography, Drama Romance; Run time: 2hrs., 3 min.; Distributed by Focus Features.Credit Readers Anonymous: "The Theory Of Everything" was filmed in Cambridge, other United Kingdom locations and Ealing Studios, London.Box Office, Nov. 28: Movie-goers were hungry for more "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1" with the sequel piling up another $56.8 million, and $225.6 million, two weeks in a row at No. 1, keeping "Penguins Of Madagascar" opening at No. 2, $25.8 million, weekend; $36 million, since Nov. 26;3. "Big Hero 6," $18.7 million, $162.7 million, four weeks; 4. "Interstellar," $15.8 million, $147 million, four weeks; 5. "Horrible Bosses 2," $15.7 million, weekend; $23 million, opening Nov. 26; 6. "Dumb and Dumber To," $8.2 million, $72.2 million, three weeks; 7. "The Theory Of Everything," $5 million, $9.6 million, four weeks; 8. "Gone Girl," $2.4 million, $160.7 million, nine weeks; 9. "Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue Of Ignorance)," $1.8 million, $17.2 million, seven weeks; 10. "St. Vincent," $1.7 million, $39.3 million, eight weeks;Box Office, Nov. 21: "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1" notched the year's biggest opening, $121.8 million, at No. 1. "Big Hero 6" held at No. 2, with $20.1 million, $135.7 million, three weeks. "Interstellar" held at No. 3, with $15.3 million, $120.9 million, three weeks. "Dumb and Dumber To" dropped from No. 1 to No. 4, with $14 million, $57.7 million, two weeks. "Gone Girl" continued at No. 5, with $2.8 million, $156.8 million, eight weeks;6. "Beyond The Lights," $2.6 million, $10.1 million, two weeks; 7. "St. Vincent," $2.2 million, $36.5 million, seven weeks; 8.. "Fury," $1.9 million, $79.1 million, six weeks; 9. "Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue Of Ignorance)," $1.8 million, $14.4 million, six weeks; 10. "The Theory Of Everything," $1.5 million, $2.8 million, three weeksUnreel, Dec. 5:"Wild," R: A woman undertakes a 1,100-mile hike alone. Reese Witherspoon is a likely Oscar actress nominee as the star of the biography drama. Laura Dern costars. Jean-Marc Vallée ("Dallas Buyers Club") directs."Comet," R: Justin Long and Emmy Rossum star as star-crossed lovers, comet-crossed lovers, to be precise, in the science fiction comedy drama.Read Paul Willistein's movie reviews at the Lehigh Valley Press web site, thelehighvalley-press.com; the Times News website, tnonline.com; and hear them on "Lehigh Valley Art Salon," 6 - 6:30 p.m. Mondays, WDIY 88.1 FM, and wdiy.org, where they're archived. Email Paul Willistein: pwillistein@ tnonline.com. You can follow Paul Willistein on Twitter and friend Paul Willistein on facebookFour Popcorn Boxes out of Five Popcorn Boxes