"Creation" - A Glimpse into the Personal Life of Charles Darwin

The movie "Creation" (2010) stars Paul Bettany as Charles Darwin and Jennifer Connelly as his wife, Emma. The critics were not impressed. From what I gather, the story was too fictional for them. They wanted a more factual account.

Yes, I know. It's like criticizing fiction for being fiction. But sometimes that's exactly what film critics do. That's why I usually ignore them.

Personally, I think a story should be allowed to be imaginative, to go beyond whatever historical facts that may be available to tell us what may have happened. For example, several movies have been made about Ludwig Van Beethoven, but each depicts him differently. I don't mind if an historical figure is mythologized, as long as the story entertains me.

And this movie delivers an excellent story. Darwin, one of the great scientists of all time, lived in a period when science was primitive. The story is about Darwin's family life, in particular the special relationship he had with his oldest daughter. She becomes ill, the primitive medicine of the doctors aggravates her condition, and she dies. But Darwin blames himself, and the guilt drains his desire to work.

His journey to overcome guilt - and conflicts with his Christian wife - and to resume his great work is the story of the movie. And along the way, we appreciate that Charles Darwin was a complex human being. It's a British film, and every aspect of the production is of the highest quality.

Another truly excellent movie that played in very few theaters!

Post by Dennis E. Coates, Ph.D., Copyright 2010. Building Personal Strength .