Creation (2010)

“Creation” is an ironic title for a drama about Charles Darwin's struggle to bring “On the Origin of Species” to life. If only the product were half as smart. Instead it makes the most bone-headed dramatic error I've seen in years. Early in this Jon Amiel-directed film, Darwin (Paul Bettany) is in his study, speaking to his cherubic oldest daughter while his wife (Jennifer Connelly) busies herself elsewhere. It’s supposed to be humanizing, until one realizes there is no daughter. She’s dead. Darwin is talking to a ghost, a figment of his sickened mind. As in “A Beautiful Mind,” which co-starred none other than Bettany and Connelly. What the hell were the filmmakers thinking? What works for one genius, works for all? Darwin’s brilliant work is so controversial that 150 years later it still invites scorn and censorship (hello, Texas!), yet the filmmakers don't seem to think this is enough drama. Order up some ghosts! Yes, there are fine scenes about the war between fact and faith, but Darwin's critics must be rejoicing: They have a film that shows the scientist as an unbalanced mad man, a guy so ill-fitted to survival he can’t even hold a quill. Kill God? “Creation” kills free thought. D+