I'd expected The Imitation Game (the one with Benedict Cumberbatch and Keira Knightley about Alan Turing) to do well in the various movie award nominations, and indeed it's up for plenty in the coming weeks. But then I saw The Theory Of Everything (the one with Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones about Stephen Hawking).
The Cumberbatch movie is a tough act to follow, and even my accomplice, a hardened sceptic of Cumberbatch, admitted it was well played.
I think the Stephen Hawking movie somehow pips it. At a cheeky level, they both do that bit where the scientist has to look science-y with a blackboard and chalk. There's great 'where will we get the equipment?' moments in the Turing one and opportunities for Cumberbatch to be quite eccentric.
The Hawking story is portrayed with a simple storyline, but somehow elicits a greater emotional response. I hadn't realised it was based upon the book by Hawking's ex-wife, and it made sense to have that (edited) point of view for what was a dramatic and uplifting story. Radmayne's portrayal is extraordinary and sensitively counterpointed by Felicity Jones' portrayal of Jane Wilde.
It's great that these two films arrive in the same year but unfortunate that they will be up against one another for the same awards. Both have merits and are worthy contenders against all the comic book hero movies.
Okay, I'll admit a soft spot for the Lego Movie too, but that's a whole other thing.
