Creation
Movie Summary of Creation by Michael The Moviegoer.
CREATION = ***
“Darwin’s Evolution”
Revolutionary scientist Charles Darwin is brought to vivid life at the hands of actor Paul Bettany giving one of the finest performances of his career. “Creation” tells the story of Darwin’s life during the period when he has “the biggest idea in the history of thought”. The theory of how man evolved over the course of millions of years. He is accused of “killing God” with this idea because the overwhelming scientific evidence he presents to the world renders the bible a work of fiction.
While the film does have a few heated debates which contain some blasphemous remarks made by some of the characters, a much larger part of this film deals more with Darwin’s grief over the death of one of his young daughters. I don’t want to suggest that the death of a child should ever be treated lightly. But in a film about a man whose theories have created a centuries-old war between science and the church, to focus more on his inner family drama seems like a cop-out. Like trying to soften the edges of an edgy subject.
Bettany’s real-life wife Jennifer Connelly plays his screen wife here. Their chemistry together is riveting, even when they are at odds with each other. Darwin’s wife was very religious and her faith contradicted his work, which began causing him to lose his faith. So you can just imagine the tension between these characters.
I enjoyed “Creation” but wish it had pushed the envelope further than it thinks it’s doing. Director Jon Amiel has gone to great lengths to get a production design that beautifully captures the details of the nearly 200 year-old period. But then he ruins the atmosphere with his bizarre us of music video-style lighting in scenes involving a hydro-therapy shower that looks like something out of the movie “Flashdance”.
Additionally, there is the annoying over-use of dream sequences within dream sequences that have already become so cliché in horror movies. Amiel’s style does not do the story any favors. But Bettany’s outstanding portrayal of Darwin makes this a must-see movie.
DVD Double Feature: “Creation” doesn’t really get down to the bones of Darwin’s book “The Origin Of The Species” enough to convert the religious faithful to a life of atheism. But Bill Maher’s hilarious 2008 documentary “Religulous” will have many people of faith questioning, and maybe even doubting, what they have always believed to be true.
Michael The Moviegoer