I had waited a very long time to see Louis Theroux's 'My Scientology Movie' but it was well worth the wait. It's a film that doesn't set out to be all "look at these guys, they're insane, let's laugh at them" because Louis is so much better than that but it's simply impossible to view this bizarre, insular, sinister cult as anything else. What this film isn't, and isn't trying to be (as a few negative reviews I've seen have decried), is an exposé or a secrets-revealed piece. A very bright light has been shone on Scientology for a long time now and while there are surely dark secrets aplenty yet to be revealed, Louis knew a decade ago that he was never going to gain access to the 'Church' because it isn't like that. The Church has all the security of an air base so it was never going to be a case of donning a false beard and wandering in with a camera in a home-all. The Westboro Baptist Church welcomed Louis into the fold so that they could spread their poisonous agenda through his films. Scientology neither wants nor seemingly needs his help and they will guard their secrets ferociously. Knowing this, Louis changes tack and tries a different approach and for the most part, succeeds in doing things differently.
With Christianity (and most major faiths), any secrets are very thin on the ground. You're given everything; there's even a book that details absolutely everything you need to know and you're required to read it. With Scientology, you are drip fed what you need/want to know bit by bit and to know more, you need to pay (A LOT) more money at each stage and devote more and more of your life to the cause. Essentially, you're brainwashed and institutionalised to the point whereby if you reach the upper echelons, you can't leave and if you do, they will make your life hell. The film documents this as Louis sees first hand just how secretive, paranoid and threatening this 'Church' (and they do have religious status) is.
All of this is pretty common knowledge of course and while I don't think the film provides any major revelations that weren't already out there to find, the insights from former members go further than perhaps they have before, thanks in no small part to Louis' genius at getting as much out of people as he can. It's a film that's thoroughly absorbing, creepy, surreal and often extremely funny. More so than any other film he's done, Louis is brave, ambitious and ultimately, ballsy in the subject he's chosen. It's out on DVD soon, so buy it.
With Christianity (and most major faiths), any secrets are very thin on the ground. You're given everything; there's even a book that details absolutely everything you need to know and you're required to read it. With Scientology, you are drip fed what you need/want to know bit by bit and to know more, you need to pay (A LOT) more money at each stage and devote more and more of your life to the cause. Essentially, you're brainwashed and institutionalised to the point whereby if you reach the upper echelons, you can't leave and if you do, they will make your life hell. The film documents this as Louis sees first hand just how secretive, paranoid and threatening this 'Church' (and they do have religious status) is.
All of this is pretty common knowledge of course and while I don't think the film provides any major revelations that weren't already out there to find, the insights from former members go further than perhaps they have before, thanks in no small part to Louis' genius at getting as much out of people as he can. It's a film that's thoroughly absorbing, creepy, surreal and often extremely funny. More so than any other film he's done, Louis is brave, ambitious and ultimately, ballsy in the subject he's chosen. It's out on DVD soon, so buy it.