At the end of an outstretched arm, an index finger points across space and is met by another. But this is no Michelangelo fresco of God creating Adam. Here, the first finger belongs to the natural historian Charles Darwin, the second to Jenny, an orang utan at London zoo.
The scene, in which the scientist’s visit to the first orang utan in London spurs him on in his research, is one of the film Creation’s many moving moments. But its deliberate twist on the iconic Michelangelo painting flashes a warning sign. Darwin’s theory, first published 150 years ago, was seen then – and by some now – as a profound threat, both to Christian faith and to an ordered society.
In John Collee’s imaginative and intimate screenplay for Creation, though, the greatest fear of Charles (Paul Bettany) is the damage the theory could do to the faith of his devout wife, Emma (Jennifer Connelly), and to their devoted relationship. This is one of several strands that makes the film an emotional and human portrait, rather than some documentary on the Discovery channel.
Creation has yet to secure a US distribution because of opposition from some Christians there, but this is a great shame. Not only because a figure as influential as Darwin deserves to have his story told. But also because Creation is a well crafted film focusing on themes that are highly relevant to Christians and their friends.
