MyMovies
Despite causing something of a stir 150 years ago with a little known book called "Origin Of The Species", it ...
Despite causing something of a stir 150 years ago with a little known book called "Origin Of The Species", it would seem that Charles Darwin hasn't learned his lesson. Indeed, the unparalleled naturalist continues to court controversy today, particularly in parts of America, for his evolutionary theories, and fuel has most definitely been added to the fire with Jon Amiel's new film, "Creation" - even being banned in some parts.Paul Bettany takes on the role of the famed author, who struggles to reconcile in his mind the impact that his findings will have on his and others' religious beliefs. Thoughtful and delightfully paced, "Creation" really is a thinking man's film, steering clear of pro science rants a la Richard Dawkins, and instead focussing on the intense dilemma facing the poor naturalist, who was also greatly afflicted by the loss of his daughter, Annie. In fact Charles Darwin was so affected by both this and his research, that his health suffered hugely as a result. Bettany gives an absolutely spellbinding performance as Darwin, full of pathos, anguish and tenderness in what is essentially a reprisal of a role in "Master And Commander". No coincidence there though, considering that screenwriter John Collee scripted both films.However, there are several other standout performances in "Creation", notably Bettany's wife, the beguiling Jennifer Connelly, who plays his onscreen partner Emma quite beautifully, portraying a caring woman who was torn between her religion and her belief in her husband.Toby Jones and Benedict Cumberbatch also give fine support, but it is really the young Martha West who should be singled out for special praise. The nine-year-old daughter of "The Wire's" Dominic West gives a scintillating performance in her first feature film. At first glance, this film may seem like a Darwin biopic, but "Creation" soon evolves into a moving, thoughtful and utterly enchanting drama.
Read full review
MyMovies
Paul Bettany is no stranger to playing important historical figures - he was Chaucer in A Knight's Tale, after all ...
Paul Bettany is no stranger to playing important historical figures - he was Chaucer in A Knight's Tale, after all - but he must have felt the weight of responsibility on his shoulders when he signed up to portray 19th century English naturalist Charles Darwin in Jon Amiel's Creation. Fortunately for him, and us, he's pulled it off with aplomb.We join Darwin at his lowest ebb: struggling with ill health, racked with doubt concerning his evolutionary theories and still seeing his dead daughter Annie (an enchanting Martha West) everywhere. He is also going through marital troubles as his wife Emma (Jennifer Connelly) is at odds with him over his controversial theories that disprove the existence of God.Darwin is under pressure from his friends to compile his notes into a book, but his worsening physical and mental health is making it impossible for him to focus. Battling with his demons, his self-doubt and his wife, we see the turmoil that was present within one of the most influential figures in history during the most difficult time in his life.Though well received critically when it was released in UK cinemas, Creation is a film that deserves to be seen by a wider audience following its home entertainment release. This is an important film that raises challenging questions still pertinent today. Yet, John Amiel deserves credit for infusing the story with just the right amount of humanity, while not deviating too far from the core of the story - Darwin's process of writing "The Origin of Species".Creation also presents an acting master class from Paul Bettany who is magnificent as the conflicted Darwin struggling to come to terms with the potential impact his radical theory of evolution could have on the world. Jennifer Connelly is subtly brilliant as Darwin's resolute wife, while young Martha West is a delight as Annie. The DVD extras also provide a valuable insight into Darwin's legacy and are a worthy accompaniment to the film as oppose to the traditional mix of extended and deleted scenes. Creation is the perfect example of a thought-provoking film that exercises both the mind and the heart.
Read full review
Press Association
In the year which marks the bicentenary of Charles Darwin's birth and the 150th anniversary of the publication of his ...
In the year which marks the bicentenary of Charles Darwin's birth and the 150th anniversary of the publication of his seminal work, On The Origin Of Species - By Means Of Natural Selection, Hollywood gets in on the act. Casting real-life couple Paul Bettany and Jennifer Connelly as the pre-eminent scientist and his wife, Jon Amiel's beautifully crafted biopic focuses on the turbulent period before Darwin committed his radical theories to parchment and changed the course of science forever. More importantly, the book's publication ignited a furious war of words with the all-powerful church, which upheld Man as God's most perfect creation. To suggest that homo sapiens and all other species were the result of millions of years of evolution was nothing short of heresy: natural selection trumps divine intervention. "I'll bet half of the nation would cheerfully see you burned at the stake if they knew what you were writing," confides Darwin's closest friend, the botanist Joseph Dalton Hooker (Dominic Cumberbatch). Yet to finish the book, Darwin risks his marriage to Emma, a deeply religious woman, whose faith in the Almighty is as unshakable as her belief in her husband. Based on the book Annie's Box by Randal Keynes, Darwin's great great grandson, which has been adapted for the screen by John Collee (Master And the Commander: The Far Side Of The World), Creation meets Darwin (Bettany) in his early forties in the throes of grief. His favoured, eldest daughter Annie (Martha West) has died aged 10, possibly from scarlet fever or tuberculosis, estranging the scientist from his wife Emma (Connelly) and remaining children. His mental state is fragile and his health failing, and to add to Charles' his woes, he is at the centre of a violent tug of war between science and faith - between Thomas Huxley (Toby Jones) and Reverend Innes (Jeremy Northam), the former urging Charles to finish his book, the latter condemning it. "The Almighty can no longer claim to have authored all species in under a week. You have killed God, sir!" excitedly declares Huxley. The embattled father finds salvation in the ghost of his dear departed daughter, who inspires him to follow his heart and complete his manuscript. In flashback, we witness the moment Annie falls ill and Charles takes the decision to abandon the family home in Downe Village near Bromley to seek medical help. "I cannot care for the other children right now. I can only care for Annie," barks Charles, oblivious to the pain he is causing his loved ones. When a pilgrimage to the spa town of Malvern for recuperative water treatment under hydrotherapist Dr Gully (Bill Patterson) fails to improve Annie's health, Charles follows Emma's example and turns to the heavens. "If it i, s in your power, save her, and I will believe in you for the rest of my days," he begs. "Take me if you must take someone." The child's death destroys any chance of reconciliation with God and the weight of the anguish, guilt and anger drives the grief-stricken father further away from the living. Creation is a restrained and beautifully composed leaf through a chapter in history that plays out these upsetting years in Darwin's life as a mosaic of waking dreams. Pacing is languid and considering the maelstrom of emotions that engulfs the characters, there are desperately few outbursts and outpourings. In the mid 19th century, feelings were concealed behind breeches and bustles, which doesn't make for particularly exciting drama. Bettany looks suitably haggard and the on-screen chemistry with an equally dour Connelly is evident but it is newcomer West, making her screen debut in a role which has echoes of Anna Paquin in The Piano, who breathes life into otherwise pedestrian scenes. Slavish adherence to historical detail is of greater concern to director Amiel than dramatic momentum, leaving us feeling rather restless as Darwin takes his children for a walk in the countryside and educates them, "The fox has to eat the rabbit otherwise its children will starve. It's just the way it is." Creation is meticulously crafted yet somewhat uninvolving. That's just the way it is.
Read full review
