Radioactive 2020

As the year 1934 unfolded in Paris, a frail Marie Curie (Rosamund Pike) found herself slipping away, only to be whisked away to a hospital where fragments of her past began to resurface like wisps of smoke. Her thoughts drifted back to the streets of 1893, where she first crossed paths with Pierre Curie (Sam Riley), a chance encounter that would ultimately alter the course of her life. In that bygone era, Marie Sklodowska, still grappling with the harsh realities of being a woman in a male-dominated scientific community, confronted Professor Lippman (Simon Russell Beale) over his flagrant disregard for her research and equipment. Undeterred by his condescending dismissal, she refused to back down, instead sharing her concerns with her sister Bronia. But as rejection piled upon rejection, Marie’s determination began to wane.

Her fortunes took a turn for the better when she reconnected with Pierre, an academic who not only recognized her name but had also read and admired her work. He extended an olive branch in the form of shared laboratory space, which Marie initially declined, only to reconsider after a careless mistake sparked a fire at home. As their collaboration unfolded, Marie’s experiments revealed the surprising truth that uranium, once thought to be radiated by its ore, was actually less radioactive on its own – a discovery that hinted at the presence of an undiscovered element.

Pierre, ever the supportive partner, recognized the limitations of their equipment and set about constructing a quadrant electrometer capable of measuring electrical potential. He proposed a joint venture with Marie, acknowledging the strength of her science but the weakness of their tools. Over dinner with friends Paul Langevin (character) and his wife, Pierre detailed the process of isolating elements from ore, while Marie explained her theory that uranium’s reactions stemmed not from external factors but from the element itself.

As their professional partnership deepened, so too did Pierre’s romantic feelings for Marie. Though initially hesitant to consider his proposal, she eventually accepted, and they exchanged vows in a swift ceremony.

In a surprising move, Pierre (no first name provided) reveals to his wife Marie (no last name provided), fresh from their honeymoon, that they will be working alongside Paul in a state-of-the-art research facility. As the years pass, the couple welcomes a baby girl named Irene and makes groundbreaking discoveries, uncovering not one but two new elements: polonium and radium. Their findings send shockwaves through the scientific community, with Marie coining the term “radioactivity” to describe the phenomenon. The news spreads like wildfire, earning them widespread recognition and paving the way for a Nobel Prize nomination.

Pierre’s academic stature grows as he becomes a professor, while Marie prepares to give birth to their second child. As the world begins to grasp the full potential of radioactivity, scientists and entrepreneurs alike rush to harness its power, with applications ranging from medicine to manufacturing. Pierre is particularly thrilled when he learns that radium is being used to treat cancer, convinced that their work will change the course of human history.

Fast-forward to Cleveland in 1957, where a doctor uses radioactive technology to treat a young patient with cancer, illustrating the far-reaching impact of their discovery. Meanwhile, Pierre becomes enamored with a mystic who claims to harness radioactivity to channel spirits, much to Marie’s dismay. As she gives birth to their second daughter, Eve, Pierre confides in her that their research has been recognized by the Nobel Committee – but only under his name.

Determined to right this perceived wrong, Pierre accepts the award alongside Marie in Stockholm in 1903, cautioning about the dangers of radium falling into the wrong hands. As he delivers his acceptance speech, he wonders aloud whether humanity is prepared for the consequences of their discovery. A chilling flash-forward shows pilots on the Enola Gay dropping the atomic bomb on Hiroshima in 1945.

Pierre’s concerns grow more pressing as he returns home to find Marie fuming about his perceived attempt to steal her thunder. She slaps him, and he laments how much he wishes she could have shared in the moment.

As darkness descends upon the city, Pierre (no actor name provided) embarks on a fateful journey home, his weakened state leaving him vulnerable to the whims of fate. The crushing weight of a horse and cart bears down upon him, extinguishing his life in an instant. Marie’s world is shattered by this senseless tragedy, her waking moments haunted by the specters of nightmares that refuse to release their grip.

In the aftermath, Professor Lippman (no actor name provided) extends an olive branch to Marie, inviting her to succeed Pierre as a professor at the prestigious Sorbonne. Though initially resistant, Marie’s resolve is eventually worn down, and she accepts the position, her dedication to her craft serving as a bulwark against the cruel whims of circumstance.

As Marie navigates the challenges of her new role, Paul (no actor name provided) attempts to offer solace, but his words fall on deaf ears. Meanwhile, flash-forwards reveal the ominous specter of nuclear testing in Nevada’s desert landscape, its devastating consequences eerily foreshadowing Marie’s own struggles with the insidious effects of radium.

As she delves deeper into the mysteries of Pierre’s untimely demise, Marie begins to suspect that his exposure to the toxic substance may have contributed to his premature passing. Paul’s consoling presence offers a fleeting respite from her anguish, but their affair sparks a maelstrom of gossip and scorn from those around them.

The whispers of scandal spread like wildfire, fueled by the wife’s venomous barbs, which liken Marie to a “dirty pole” who has unleashed a poisonous legacy upon the world. As the once-respected professor becomes the target of public derision, her daughters bear witness to their mother’s vulnerable state, only to be rebuffed by Marie’s desperate attempts to shield herself from the cruel realities that surround her.

In a desperate bid for solace, Marie turns to the enigmatic mystic, seeking Pierre’s spectral presence in a world where reality has grown increasingly distorted. When the mystical practitioner reveals to Marie that she, too, has succumbed to the ravages of time, Marie’s assistant is left to plead with the spirit world on her behalf, as if the very fabric of existence might yet be manipulated to grant her a fleeting reprieve from the crushing weight of her grief.

As a glimpse into the past, a jarring flashback transports viewers back to the devastating Chernobyl nuclear meltdown in 1986. Bronia shares with Marie her intention to retreat to England, implored by the torrent of vitriol and hostility that surrounds her home, as throngs of angry crowds converge, their faces twisted with resentment. Marie, however, remains resolute, prioritizing her crucial work over personal safety.

Years later, Marie’s dedication is rewarded with a second Nobel Prize, but she disregards the warning to avoid controversy and instead attends the ceremony, where she finds solace in the unanticipated support of the women’s movement in Stockholm. As the initially skeptical crowd begins to stir, it is the women who rise to their feet, applauding fervently, and soon the entire room joins in a spontaneous tribute.

In the distant future, an adult Irene (Anya Taylor-Joy) accompanies Marie to a hospital, passionately urging her to contribute to the war effort. Marie, however, remains steadfast in her refusal to enter the fray, prompting Irene to orchestrate the transfer of patients outside. As Marie’s concerns grow, Irene implores her to reconsider, and Marie reluctantly agrees to support the war by providing vital equipment, but she firmly refuses to set foot on the battlefield.

As Irene brings Frederic, a young researcher she is dating, into their home life, Marie finds herself drawn to his dedication and passion. Though ravaged by illness, coughing up blood as she is, Marie warms to Frederic’s enthusiasm, even as her initial reservations persist. She warns Irene about the dangers of radiation, cautioning her against pursuing research with Trevor, urging her instead to abandon their endeavors.

Together, Marie and Irene approach Alexandre Millerand, the minister of war, to plead for the deployment of mobile x-ray units that could revolutionize medical treatment on the front lines. Initially, Millerand and Professor Lippman are unmoved by their pleas, citing budgetary constraints. Undeterred, Marie offers to melt down her Nobel Prize medals, a poignant gesture of sacrifice, before finally securing the minister’s agreement. With her gold Nobel Prizes transformed into a tangible force for good, Marie’s determination has brought about a crucial turning point in the war effort.

As Marie (Pierre Curie) and Irene venture onto the war-torn battlefield, the weight of their task becomes starkly apparent. The duo’s somber expressions reflect the gravity of the situation, a far cry from the optimism that once filled their laboratory. Meanwhile, Irene confesses to still collaborating with Frederic, a development that leaves Marie visibly perturbed. Amidst the chaos and carnage, the two women work tirelessly to treat the wounded soldiers, their skills honed through countless hours of experimentation.

However, Marie’s attention soon diverts from the battlefield to the hospital where her life is unfolding in a series of flashbacks. The 1934 version of herself lies bedridden, surrounded by the faint whispers of memories past and future. These visions are woven together like a tapestry, showcasing pivotal moments from Marie’s remarkable journey. As she gazes upon these fragments of her own existence, Pierre (Pierre Curie) appears beside her, offering words of encouragement and admiration.

The elderly Marie is taken on a poignant stroll through the hospital by Pierre, who praises her groundbreaking work and its profound impact on the world. Their tender moment is marked by a bittersweet kiss, a testament to the enduring power of their bond. The narrative then jumps forward in time, revealing that when Marie passed away, she was laid to rest beside Pierre, a poignant reminder of their shared legacy.

In a postscript, Irene and Frederic’s union is sealed, resulting in a Nobel prize for their pioneering discovery of artificial radioactivity. This groundbreaking achievement has had a lasting impact on the world, with over one million soldiers X-rayed during World War One serving as a testament to its importance. Today, the Curie discoveries continue to inform some of the most effective cancer treatments, a befitting tribute to Marie’s tireless dedication and unwavering passion for her work.