Review of Creation (2009) by Matthew O — 10 Jul 2012

The story of Charles Darwin and his master-work "The Origin of Species". Creation tells of a global revolution played out the confines of a small English village; a passionate marriage torn apart by the most dangerous idea in history; and a theory saved from extinction by the logic of a child.

Director Jon Amiel turns a strong mostly English cast, and an interesting subject matter of one of the most scientific publishing pieces in the modern era into a rather slow, run of the mile family melodrama.

The performances are stale, Paul Bettany normally an interesting performer is average as Darwin never really showing the acting skills which we are normally use to. Real life wife Jennifer Connelly is also rather flat and un interesting, managing to have the same expression thoughout the whole film, and only really comes together when she is interacting with Charles emotionally.

In all what should have been a tight study of Charles Darwin?s thoughts and process into the development of "The Origins of Species" is a slow burning drama that never really sparks into life. Despite some visual flourishes the film should have stuck with its central theme.