It’s been five years since Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones took awards season by storm in their Stephen Hawking biopic “The Theory of Everything,” which netted the former an Oscar and the latter a nomination. The two reunite five years later for “The Aeronauts,” a British drama from Amazon Studios and rising indie director Tom Harper (whose pretty great 2019 music dramedy “Wild Rose” is worth seeking out).
The film tells the tale of scientist James Glaisher (Redmayne) and pilot Amelia Wren (Jones), who ventured off into the air in a gas balloon to make discoveries. The film promises “an epic fight for survival,” which hints that all the explorations didn’t come without their struggles. On its face, the film doesn’t seem all that attractive without a little drama and adventure, so here’s hoping Glaisher and Wren do hit some speed bumps on along the way of their findings.
Here’s the official synopsis:
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Set in 1862, THE AERONAUTS follow wealthy young widow Amelia Wren (Felicity Jones) and ambitious scientist James Glaisher (Eddie Redmayne) as they mount a balloon expedition to fly higher than anyone in history. This is a journey to the very edge of existence, where the air is thin, and the chances of survival are slim. As their perilous ascent reveals their true selves, this unlikely pair discover things about each other – and themselves – that help them find their place in the world they have left behind.
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Harper’s first foray into the awards season comes as his film premieres at Telluride. “Wild Rose” should do well with indie awards circles and perhaps critics’ honors, giving him potentially two feathers in his cap for yearly celebrations if “The Aeronauts” turns out to be strong. Pairing Redmayne and Jones back together is a novel idea, as the two did find a strong rapport in “The Theory of Everything.”
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The film looks like it could be a spirited journey into the perils and victories of exploration in a unique setting. We’ll see if this film has what it takes to soar in what’s shaping to be a crowded awards field, and if Redmayne and Jones’ reunion and Harper’s eye are good enough to make this one float. We should know soon enough as the film makes its debut up in Colorado.
Amazon will be releasing the film on Dec. 6, right in the heart of awards season. Watch the first trailer below.
