Review: ‘Expelled’

Believe it or not, Ben Stein is a really fascinating and intelligent guy. How do I know? Because, I saw Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed, directed by Nathan Frankowski. So you may be asking “what the heck is this movie all about” … and, “why haven’t I even heard of it” … or, “how good could it possibly be?”

Expelled (2008) is a documentary hosted by Ben Stein (Ferris Bueller’s Day Off), much in the same way Michael Moore “hosted” his “documentaries” except this one is good and Stein doesn’t manipulate his viewers by distorting the facts or flat-out lying. Expelled follows Ben Stein as he investigates an alarming trend of college professors being “expelled” from their often tenured careers by the “powers that be” for even mentioning the existence of an Intelligent Designer.

Please, don’t bombard me with posts related to your personal beliefs on the debate between ID and evolution … I am refraining from divulging my beliefs, as did the film-makers of Expelled. No, despite the various sources out there on both sides that may claim this film as propaganda for either side of this debate, the film actually does a very good job of staying neutral while also pointing out all of the intricate pros and cons of both sides. The film does this, with the help of Ben Stein’s trademark dry humor, with both a sharp intellect and witty humor to keep things as light and relaxed as possible.

I never heard of this movie either … until I saw it listed in the show-times of one single movie theatre here in Saint Louis. Surprisingly, it was at one of the largest chain multiplexes in town and not an indie theatre. None the less, I read a little about it and knew immediately this was a movie I NEEDED to see. Without going into great detail, this film probes some issue I find very important. However, the most significant issue being addressed in Expelled is that of our American freedom of speech. The film begins and ends with Ben Stein giving a speech at a university on the topic of these freedoms. While Stein points out this freedom applies to a much broader scope, he focuses on the trend of scientists being “shut up” and “kicked out” for teaching, supporting or even suggesting any credibility towards the theory of Intelligent Design.

Expelled is VERY good and in my own solitary opinion, this film should get an Oscar nod this year, but [IMO] likely will not due to politics involved. Stein is surprisingly genuine and effective leading this film on its journey in support of free speech. For a first-time director, Frankowski has done an absolutely outstanding job in creating a documentary that deals with an important contemporary debate, offering a balanced look at both sides. The film also has so many highly credible interviewees on both sides of the argument that I may even be tempted to call this film the quintessential audio-visual resource on the topic. If there is one documentary so far this year that I highly recommend everyone see, its Expelled.
[rating:4/5]