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Creation

Play trailer Poster for Creation PG-13 Released Jan 22, 2010 1h 48m Biography Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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47% Tomatometer 115 Reviews 49% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
Devastated by the death of his beloved daughter, Annie, Charles Darwin (Paul Bettany) sinks into a deep depression, and cannot bring himself to finish his book about evolution. Though Annie's death has broken Darwin's faith in God, it has galvanized that of his wife, Emma (Jennifer Connelly). Darwin's associates urge him to finish his revolutionary work, while Emma strongly objects, leaving Darwin with an agonizing choice.
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Creation

Creation

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Critics Consensus

This Charles Darwin biopic is curiously dispassionate, but Creation contains some of director Jon Amiel's best work, and Paul Bettany's performance is not to be missed.

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Critics Reviews

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Laura Kern Film Comment Magazine An elegant, melancholy movie about storytelling, science vs. religion, family, life, and death. Sep 24, 2014 Full Review Joshua Rothkopf Time Out Rated: 2/5 Nov 17, 2011 Full Review Jonathan F. Richards Film.com Some good acting and fine cinematography are watered down in a tepid yawner that moves with the speed of natural selection, but without its irresistible sense of purpose. Apr 29, 2010 Full Review Robin Holabird Robin Holabird Well-produced and acted, the movie's understated, honorable tone never grabbed box-office audiences or critics but provides useful background information for those seeking more history about Galapagos and its impact on humanity. Aug 24, 2021 Full Review Jason Best Movie Talk Watching Amiel's intelligently scripted, beautifully shot and handsomely acted film, it's hard to fathom why so many people in the States (and elsewhere) get so worked up about Darwin. Nov 24, 2020 Full Review Brian D. Johnson Maclean's Magazine Creation is not half as smart as it pretends to be. It's the kind of movie that tells you what to think, and feel, every step of the way. Though it starts out with great promise. Jul 26, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Alexandra H This is a remarkable movie about Charles Darwin's struggling with the religious implication's of his work and with his urge to make a contribution to science. It's also a remarkable love story regarding his relationship with his devout Christian wife. It's a great movie, and I recommend it highly! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/03/24 Full Review Ken R 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. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 09/02/23 Full Review KerryWhite's S Rating: 6/10. 65/100 Rated 3 out of 5 stars 08/16/23 Full Review Tristan H Groundbreaking? Astonishing? No... A bit of whitewashed history?... for sure. But was it bad? Not entirely, no... it holds just enough intrigue to the historically minded (if taken with a grain of salt) to be a passably entertaining observation. Reminds me of something you'd watch in science class on a substitute teacher day that somehow remains simmering in the back of your mind and only boils up on very rare occasion. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/24/23 Full Review steve d Two great performances can't make up for a heavy-handed script most interested in pitting science against religion while not really taking a side. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member Creation is a strange film to review. It isn't that great which can be inferred by the fact that it was barely noticeable critically or at the box office but it's a nice portrayal of Charles Darwin by Paul Bettany, encompassing his private life with his wife during the time he was working on "On the origin of species. The film is a good look for anyone interested in the famed English naturalist, but it isn't genre defining. Worth a peak for the performances by Bettany and Connelly (who were actually married then) playing Charles and Emma Darwin. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/07/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis Devastated by the death of his beloved daughter, Annie, Charles Darwin (Paul Bettany) sinks into a deep depression, and cannot bring himself to finish his book about evolution. Though Annie's death has broken Darwin's faith in God, it has galvanized that of his wife, Emma (Jennifer Connelly). Darwin's associates urge him to finish his revolutionary work, while Emma strongly objects, leaving Darwin with an agonizing choice.
Director
Jon Amiel
Producer
Jeremy Thomas
Screenwriter
John Collee
Distributor
Newmark Films Inc.
Production Co
Recorded Pictures Company, Ocean Pictures, BBC
Rating
PG-13 (Intense Thematic Material)
Genre
Biography, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 22, 2010, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 8, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$340.6K
Runtime
1h 48m
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