Review of Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief (2015) by Michael S — 07 Apr 2015

Going Clear | A+ | Everyone associated with this compelling two-hour HBO documentary should be extremely proud. Director Alex Gibney deserves another Academy Award for this historic contribution to society. Not only has he exposed, in breathtaking detail, the brutal, vindictive nature of the greed-driven Scientology cult, he has also exposed the devastating control religions (and faux religions) have over powerbrokers like cowardly former IRS Commissioner Fred T. Goldberg, Jr.

Scientology's monstrous dictator David Miscavige is pure evil. But it is Goldberg who will go down in history as the criminally weak man who let the Scientology cult slip through his fingertips. Despite his deal with the devil Goldberg somehow still has the audacity to practice law at mega law firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom. Everyone at Skadden should be ashamed. But I digress...

Going Clear showcases former top leaders who reveal intimate details about their roles in developing and executing relentless warfare against anyone who dares to challenge, or leave, the cartoonish Scientology cult. One of its victims is acclaimed screenwriter Paul Haggis who heroically left the cult when he discovered the truth. It also shines the spotlight on the unforgivable support of global superstars like John Travolta and Tom Cruise.

It's easy to understand why Travolta remained loyal and silent for so long. The dark secrets Scientology is holding over his head could've destroyed his once hot career. But it's impossible to understand why Cruise continues to support the cult following revelations by former leaders at the very top: mental and physical abuse, unbridled greed, brainwashing, borderline slave labor, stalking and harassment. If Cruise does not take immediate steps to repair the damage caused by his leadership and misguided support of Scientology, his legacy will be destroyed.

There are also moments of profound humor in Going Clear. The infantile mythology of Scientology, convoluted levels of enlightenment, silly costumes, comic book hit squads, tacky architecture, hideous stage design elements and asinine presentation materials lead to several laugh-out-loud moments.

But overall, Going Clear is deadly serious. The Scientology cult continues to control and destroy lives. And it continues to use its clearly illegal tax-exempt status to fortify its multi-billion-dollar global empire. Everyone should see this film. If you can't find it in theaters, it premieres on HBO on March 29th at 8:00pm.