Esther Xuedan QI This movie is about the early years of Hawking in Cambridge, where he pursued his doctoral degree in physics and found the big bang theory. He was diagnosed with motor neuron disease right after his 21st birthday. It was an unexpected misfortune for Hawking, an ambitious and promising young researcher, who regarded physics as everything, but fortunately, his brain was left untouched. One who has an incurable disease is probably desperate and stops making effort, but Hawking is quite the opposite. Due to his hunger for knowledge, he kept fighting his disease, kept exploring his research and never gave up. As his first wife Jane said in the movie, he has huge courage, brilliant mind and capacity to imagine fates like a piece of nothing. People are very small especially facing challenges of illness and death，but as Hawking said, we are profoundly capable of very big things. Hawking is not small even compared to the whole universe. I was so impressed by his eagerly searching for knowledge. His supervisor said he's made Einstein beautiful. I agree. He has a beautiful mind. When a friend told me the leading role is played by Benedict Cumberbatch yesterday, I said he is nothing like Hawking. Yet, I am totally attracted and convinced by his excellent performance after watching this movie. Benedict, a healthy person portraying a person with motor neuron disease showed a vivid and accurate character.I'm also impressed by the love from his parents and Jane. Even though the doctor said there was no hope, his parents still encouraged Hawking to carry on. Besides, Jane, who became his wife finally, was always there, supporting and accompanying him. Family is such a wonderful treasure.It's a great movie and I was definitely touched and inspired.

Dara Winters This is one of those movies that can wake you up and make you wonder what you've achieved with your life so far.It's one of the best performances of the year, the sort of performance that is the actors were American and got the right publicity would have most likely landed them an Oscar. Given the subject I was expecting cringe worthy moments in the film, or at least overly sentimental, but Cumberbatchs' performance as a young Hawking just finding out what his symptoms mean is really something else. This isn't a movie for somebody that is looking for a comedy but I think that you should watch it if you are interested in either the life of Stephen Hawking or just to see a film that is different than the mainstream. It's definitely worth watching!

pavanratnaker Initially thought it'll feel like a documentary. But was pleasantly surprised. Not many of us know of how Hawking came to be and how his formative days were. Hence from a biographical point it was very insightful, though it covers only the first few years of his professional life. And the various facets showed in the series is what keeps it from being a documentary and more of an entertainer. The direction is quite good and so is the editing , considering how much they could show and how much they actually had time for. One of the first times I saw Cumberbatch and he is really great,he has the ability to take on any role and make it his own, the energy and passion he shows in this one is no less,wonder if there's a lot of method acting training in his past or he is naturally gifted. Overall a great watch, so see it.

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.