Radioactive

The 2019 British biographical drama film directed by Marjane Satrapi and written by Jack Thorne is based on the 2010 graphic novel "Radioactive: Marie & Pierre Curie: A Tale of Love and Fallout" by American artist Lauren Redniss. The film portrays the life of renowned scientist Marie Sklodowska-Curie (Rosamund Pike), beginning with her arrival in Paris in 1893, where she faces gender-based discrimination in the scientific community. She meets physicist Pierre Curie (Sam Riley), and together they not only collaborate on groundbreaking research but also marry. Their joint discovery of polonium and radium earns them the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1903. Following Pierre's tragic death in 1906, Marie continues her scientific pursuits amidst personal and professional challenges, including public scrutiny over her affair with physicist Paul Langevin (Aneurin Barnard). The film also highlights Marie's contributions during World War I, where she develops mobile X-ray units to assist wounded soldiers. Interspersed throughout are flash-forwards illustrating the far-reaching impacts of her discoveries on the 20th century, such as advancements in medicine and the atomic bombings. The film received mixed reviews from critics: while some praised Rosamund Pike's performance, others criticized the script for its superficial treatment of characters and historical events.