DVD & Blu-ray reviews: From Poldark to The Theory of Everything

Eddie Redmayne plays Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything (Universal)

The Theory of Everything (12) James Marsh, DVD/Blu-ray (123 mins)

Eddie Redmayne is sensationally good, fully deserving of his Oscar, as Stephen Hawking in James Marsh’s elegantly structured and filmed biopic. Redmayne’s performance, which isn’t just a straight imitation of the superstar cosmologist, perfectly captures Hawking’s essence: his despair, grit and enthusiasm. However, this is just as much the story of Hawking’s stoical first wife, Jane, and Felicity Jones (who never turns in a duff performance) is just as captivating as Redmayne. The Theory of Everything succeeds where its Oscars “rival”, The Imitation Game, failed: it has two convincing leads, a breezy, believable script and pulsating intelligence at its core. Exceptional British film-making.

*****

Poldark: Series 1 (12) Various directors, DVD/Blu-ray (464 mins)

You have to pity Poldark’s poor horse; barely a scene goes by without the moody former soldier riding off to a clifftop staring sullenly out to sea. Poldark, which is never less than beautiful looking, has been a ratings and critical success, mainly due to the conviction and general gorgeousness of its central three characters – tormented Ross Poldark (Aidan Turner), down-to-earth Demelza (Eleanor Tomlinson) and haughty Elizabeth (Heida Reed). It’s essentially a soap opera, set in 18th-century Cornwall, and featuring disease, violence, betrayal, thievery and passion.

***

The Last Five Years (12) Richard LaGravanese, DVD/Blu-ray (94 mins)

Anna Kendrick and Jeremy Jordan’s earnest young couple sing almost the entirety of their dialogue in this musical (based on Jason Robert Brown’s Broadway show) about the disintegration of a relationship. It’s a wearing watch/listen, but what elevates Last Five Years is the charismatic Kendrick, who carries the film as the forlorn actress Cathy.

**

The Long Good Friday (18) John MacKenzie DVD/Blu-ray (109 mins)

“What I’m looking for is someone who can contribute to what England has given the world: culture, sophistication, genius. A little bit more than an hot dog, know what I mean.” Bob Hoskins is a force of nature as cockney gangster Harold Shand who takes on a tad more than he can handle when trying to muscle in on the development of the Docklands in John Mackenzie’s brutal take on Thatcher’s Britain. Helen Mirren also stars, as Harold’s smart, sharp wife, in this terrific British crime drama from 1980.

*****

Silicon Valley: Season 1 (15) Various directors DVD/Blu-ray (225 mins)

“Kid Rock is the poorest person here, apart from you guys,” claims TJ Miller’s absurd egotist to the four geeks at the centre of Mike Judge’s very amusing Silicon Valley-set sitcom. Introverted Richard Hendriks (Thomas Middleditch) has created a music app called Pied Piper, which contains a revolutionary data-compression algorithm and is essentially worth a fortune. Silicon Valley’s snakes move in to pilfer it. HBO’s energetic Silicon Valley is like a spikier, cruder and funnier Big Bang Theory.

****