The Aeronauts
THE AERONAUTS - Entertainment One
The Aeronauts once again teams up the acting partnership talents of Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones after their critically acclaimed performances in The Theory of Everything. Tom Harper's feature is another emotionally-induced drama for the pair, not only showcasing their outstanding acting talents but sufficing as an intensely immersive and engaging feature.
The first thing to note is how wonderfully executed the cinematography and aesthetic is throughout. The camera work and fluidity from cinematographer George Steel are tremendous and is in constant flow due to the context of the character's circumstance. Not only does it heighten the peril and experience for the audience but it also looks outrageously stunning on the big screen, elevating the experience of pure wonder in the skies.
The second is the performances. Redmayne's leading-man schtick is in the same vein as his performances of both Stephen Hawking and Newt Scamander in The Theory of Everything and Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them, respectively. A constant state of a nervous and shy disposition but is undeniably compelling in a role such as James Glaisher. The character isn't necessarily charismatic or heroic but the arc written by duo Harper and Jack Thorne craft an emotionally compelling amount of weight for the actor to showcase a tremendous substance of density and layers. Specifically, it’s the characters relationship with his father, played by Tom Courtenay, that motivates him to succeed being a sturring element to the overall recipe.
Felicity Jones as Amelia Wren has pretty much the exact circumstance of an arc, here or there, regarding her relationships and inner demons to contest. Similar to Redmayne's Glaisher, Jones’s character has a profoundly engrossing and intense emotional conundrum at her hands. Spurred on to rectify the past but haunted by those very events, an element that creates a significant amount of range for the actress to eat up and Jones delivers with terrific returns.
Performances aside, everything comes together with direct and superb pacing courtesy from editor Mark Eckersley that is precise and deeply engaging with its structure, incorporating flashback sequences that serve great individual character developments. Equally tremendous is the costume design by Alexandra Byrne, an undeniably integral aspect of production that looks not only marvellous but dives deep into subconscious themes found in each respective characters lives.
The Aeronauts is released on November 4, 2019.
