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The Vow

A saccharine and paint-by-numbers slice of romance, which is largely boosted by the appeal of its two leads.

Star Wars: Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace (3D)

The under-utilised 3D adds little to this prequel, which only serves as a sore reminder of the brilliance of the original films.

Any Questions For Ben?

The talented bunch of actors ably cut through the surface gloss, but it’s tough to remain invested in the plight of the self-absorbed lead.

Shame

It starts off as brutal but arresting stuff, and the two lead performances are scorching, but disappointingly dissolves into a case of tragedy for the sake of tragedy.

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Creation (Film)

by Alicia Malone | July 12, 2010 14:06 | Edited July 14, 2010 11:14

Compelling performances mark this touching film which delves into thought-provoking themes.

Charles Darwin's On The Origin Of Species has been called the biggest single idea in the history of thought, and his theories are still controversial today, 150 years after it was published. Creation is a partly factual partly fictional biopic of Darwin's struggle to release his works, and is based on Annie's Box, a book written by one of his descendents.

 

When we meet Charles Darwin (Paul Bettany), he is a bright, young scientist, excited with his new discoveries. But when the film flashes forward to a couple of years later, Darwin is tormented by the death of his eldest child, Annie (Martha West), and grappling with the moral notion that his work might "kill God". Darwin's relationship with his intensely religious wife, Emma (Jennifer Connelly), is also strained, and she fears that her husband might kill himself with worry.

 

Creation flashes back and forth between past and present, daydreams and nightmares, sanity and madness. At times, it's hard to know where you are in the story, when Darwin is awake, and when he is dreaming. Paul Bettany gives a powerful performance as the tormented scientist, and is matched by an equally compelling Jennifer Connelly, his on and off-screen wife. Jeremy Northam has a small role as a priest and family friend, and Toby Jones makes his mark as an overly enthusiastic atheist, who is keen for Darwin to release his theories.

 

Creation isn't really a look at how Darwin came to develop his ideas; it's more of a touching family drama. The film explores faith versus facts, religion versus science, life and death, and the inherent cruelty of nature. It's an intelligent and emotional film, which (judging by the struggle the filmmakers had of getting an American distributor) proves that Darwin is still making people think, more than 120 years after his death.