CREATION

CREATION

I remember reading Chariots of the Gods by Erich von Daniken in 1970 (when I was still reading books) and found it utterly fascinating. I then remember the item by item refutation of his theories by everyone from Carl Sagan to Bozo. I couldn't help but wonder how do the great thinkers of the world stand this crap?

I never read Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species - at 497 pages it was at least 300 pages longer than my interest level - but I can only imagine what it was like to publish such a controversial book in 1859 when people where still devout about their beliefs. Though Darwin never actually said humans came from apes, he implied through natural selection, humanity was the next step on the evolutionary scale after the great apes.

He literally said that it was through nature, not a deity, that man came to be on Earth.

It's hard to imagine that concept flying back in those days. Now imagine living with, indeed being married to, a devout Christian such as Darwin's wife.

This is what Jon Amiel presents with his latest film, "Creation". It is the second film in a short period of time to dramatize the life of an extraordinary writer during the time of discovery - "The Last Station" discusses Leo Tolstoy's final conflicts with his wife and family. Ironically the two stories are similar.

"Creation" is based on the Darwin's great, great, great grandson Randall Keynes (The Darwin family was and is rather large) book Annie's Box. It gives the inside dope of what Darwin went through while penning his theory.

Darwin was under a great deal of pressure from the scientific community to complete is writings while his wife nearly dumped him as she disagreed with the conflicts with her Catholic beliefs. Moreover, their daughter Annie has just died and was now appearing to Darwin in the form of hallucinations.

Paul Bettany portrays Darwin as expertly as he does most roles. Jennifer Connelly, Bettany's real life wife, plays his movie wife Emma in the same compelling and believable way we have come to expect from her. She is sympathetic to Charles theory and the inner conflict he has - but is steadfast against signing off on his work.

The person back and forth is maddening to Darwin as he, like most other great thinkers, soon becomes physically ill and in declining health just when his greatest work is released.

"Creation" is beautifully shot and executed. Bettany and Connelly are as believable as can be as husband and wife. Martha West come across well as little dead Annie. Even Toby Jones is amusing as Darwin's colleague Thomas Huxley who declares "You've killed God, sir! And it's about time!"

Yet, "Creation" fails to stir the viewers passion. Perhaps because it is more about Darwin the family guy than Darwin the scientist. The film takes no position on Darwin's theory, perhaps avoiding controversy.

"Creation" just happens to be released this year, the 150th anniversary of the publishing of The Origins of Species, and seems more in line to humanize Darwin rather than celebrate his revolutionary thoughts. It's well done, but you would like to take on the hypothesis and not be a marriage counselor. --GEOFFREY BURTON

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