Charles Darwin caused widespread controversy back in 1859 with his theories of human evolution and natural selection in the book On The Origin Of Species. But 150 years later the book is still dividing people, with Jon Amiel’s biopic Creation being rejected by US distribution companies for fear of the negative reaction the film may incur on its release in a largely religious nation.
The film itself, however, doesn’t put forward such an argument-provoking message as some may have thought. Creation paints a very different picture of the Charles Darwin that we see in historical literature. Although resolute in his beliefs on evolution, the Darwin taught in schools across the land and who appears on the back of bank notes and coins was actually a man wracked with worry, guilt and self-doubt.
Negative Reviews Give False Impression of Creation
Early criticism of Creation is that it doesn’t contain enough of the detail behind Darwin’s discovery of evolution, the 'eureka' moments if you like, the moments that show the jigsaw pieces of his theory being intricately put together. In some respects this is true, there is a lack of explanation behind Darwin’s discoveries and what it was that made the man so focused. But it could be argued that, with his theory of evolution forming such an integral part of our modern common knowledge and our interpretation of human sciences being so rounded due to his theories, that maybe this isn’t needed. Indeed it certainly doesn’t hinder the enjoyment of this emotional biopic, although more of the actual science certainly wouldn’t have harmed it either.
Instead, Creation aims to look at the deeply troubled Charles Darwin (played by Paul Bettany), rather than the intensely scientific alternative. It chronicles Darwin’s struggles to convince a religiously-engrained nation of his theories, “science is at war with religion”, as Darwin’s long time advocate, Thomas Huxley, puts it in the film.
But more importantly for Darwin, the religious beliefs of his own wife, Emma (Jennifer Connelly), provide the most personal and damning opposition.
Creation's Alternative View on one of Britain’s Most Famous Scientists
Creation offers a view of Darwin’s deeply complex inner turmoil. Having lost his first born child, Annie, to scarlet fever at the age of 10, Darwin is haunted by the realisation that his own theories of evolution have been cruelly applied to his own family. Despite his wife’s faith in God, Darwin’s scientific alternatives almost lead him to self-destruction, failing to see anything other than brutal natural selection at work.
The film portrays the efforts of Huxley and Joseph Hooker (Benedict Cumberbatch) - Darwin’s closest friends and collaborators - as they attempt to drag the troubled naturalist through his mental turmoil and muster the conviction to release his life’s work into the public domain.
A large degree of Darwin’s study in the natural world took place whilst on the voyages of HMS Beagle. Memoirs of these events are told in the form of flashbacks, chronicling happier times spent telling his daughter Annie of his adventures. Although a little too frequent, the flashbacks are a touching reflection and form the eotional driving force behind Darwin’s mental decline and ultimate re-awakening. Young actress Martha West (as Annie) and Bettany portray a father-daughter love with great authenticity. The flashbacks serve as a clever bridge between scenes and the contrast between the dark, reclusive Darwin of his later life, and the memories of the light, spritely and enthusiastic man of the past are conveyed with clever variations in lighting and brilliant cinematography.
Performances are the Driving Force Behind Creation
There are two great leading roles too, with Jennifer Connelly and Paul Bettany (albeit a real life couple, which must take away some of the challenges) demonstrating an acting purity only available to the most studious of individuals. Bettany is able to convey a sense of great inner intelligence whilst at the same time portraying a distinctly vulnerable and fragile exterior that is emotive and - importantly - believable.
Darwin is up there with Bettany’s best performances, alongside Tom Edison in Dogville and Dr. Stephen Maturin in Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, and despite a quirky attempt in Wimbledon, this is a role that will surely cement his acting credentials - not that they were ever in any real doubt - as a leading-role star of the future.
Verdict: 4/5
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