Creation

Creation – Creates More Questions I came late to this surprisingly high-quality production, probably because of low distribution. It’s also surprisingly disappointing how many felt this story ended where it should have begun, what did they want, yet another re-telling of Darwin and his theories? Writer Randal Hume Keynes, the Great Great Grandson of Darwin has given us an insight into the early life of Charles, allowing us to gain an understanding of the torment and confusion that preceded the publication of his life-changing book and his dedication to family. We learn about the conflicting views on life between him and his beloved wife Emma, a devout Christian who feared his evolutional writings may separate them from life eternal. We follow his torment at the loss of his daughter Annie, his desperate attempts to find a cure for her debilitating sickness, and the haunting guilt-ridden memories that cause him acute ill health. All these situations are given an intensely sensitive treatment by director Jon Amiel (The Singing Detective) with warmth and integrity supplied by a thoughtful screenplay from John Collee (Hotel Mumbai). Performances are as remarkable as the overall production values, while Christopher Young graces it with a melodic music score. The striking locations are lensed by cinematographer Jess Hall with much being filmed at Darwin’s home in Kent. This sincere recreation gives insights into a complex life work through loving relationships and personal battles and may even bring together a unique blending of creation via some forms of evolution (something I have no trouble with) A unique study of the astounding wonder and infinite beauty of our beguiling world, a world that continues to bring constant debate between science and the faithful, showing our limited human brain can only understand so much before we have to concede to the great mystery of creation. Yes, those unanswered questions are still out there, and trying to answer them will only hurt your head - we have to wait for whatever answers may come.

Creation runs deep and is brim-full with raw human emotion but it's plodding pace keeps it from being anything more than an above-average period drama.