WIth the BBC's backing Louis Theroux had an opportunity to explore the Scientology group/religion/cult with some gusto. It seems that this film falls between two stools; it's not a documentary and it's not a film. So what is it?
I don't know.
We have ex members, if that's what you can call them recreating (unpleasant) events that they played a key part in using actors to play the key roles, portraying/recreating Court events and the like.
Why we need to see actors auditioning for parts regurgitating the Scientology leader's words from court papers, is a little perplexing.
This auditioning feature takes up an inordinate amount of time for no gain to the viewer.
We can read the court papers if we wish to, we don't need to see the words reenacted and we certainly don't need to the actor's auditions' for such roles.
I imagine a lot of the planned original footage / comment was not allowed to be shown so the film has been bloated with non entity information, such as auditions rolls.
The film is stuck awkwardly between film and TV Documentary and leaves neither interested party much the wiser.
I imagine that the project started out with good intentions but was stymied by lawyers and we end with a below par film/documentary.
My conclusion, is that the film is definitely watchable, but, don't expect too much.
I don't know.
We have ex members, if that's what you can call them recreating (unpleasant) events that they played a key part in using actors to play the key roles, portraying/recreating Court events and the like.
Why we need to see actors auditioning for parts regurgitating the Scientology leader's words from court papers, is a little perplexing.
This auditioning feature takes up an inordinate amount of time for no gain to the viewer.
We can read the court papers if we wish to, we don't need to see the words reenacted and we certainly don't need to the actor's auditions' for such roles.
I imagine a lot of the planned original footage / comment was not allowed to be shown so the film has been bloated with non entity information, such as auditions rolls.
The film is stuck awkwardly between film and TV Documentary and leaves neither interested party much the wiser.
I imagine that the project started out with good intentions but was stymied by lawyers and we end with a below par film/documentary.
My conclusion, is that the film is definitely watchable, but, don't expect too much.