Reviewed by Jerry Saravia
The real question in "Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief" is if Scientology is a religion or a cult, or both. I would say both, but I beg to differ that it is much of a religion. Alex Gibney's forceful, scarily provocative documentary "Going Clear" sees Scientology as a tax-exempt institution of physical and emotional abuse, neglect, and downright stupidity. One can argue that the religion offers comfort for those who want a world of joy and no war, and one can also argue that its stringent methods against those who wish to leave or stay are of a cult of personality.
The late science-fiction author, L. Ron Hubbard (who wrote "Dianetics," the foundation behind Scientology), is depicted as an abusive lout of a man who threatened suicide if his first wife left him. During his tumultuous marriage where he even kidnapped their baby, he decided to create a religion that would be tax-exempt, thus allowing him to charge people high rates for joining the religion, The Church of Scientology (which had its roots in Camden, New Jersey). Eventually, the church grew and expanded to Los Angeles and around the world, attracting many people including celebrities such as John Travolta and the virtual spokesman himself, actor Tom Cruise.
People who are indoctrinated are subjected to audits where they are interviewed in a therapy session and their emotional responses are measured by an "E-meter." Any traumatic past memories are brought to the table and examined, and re-examined and re-examined, until the subject is free and "clear." What is noteworthy is that, according to actor Jason Beghe, an ex-Scientologist, these audits would continue on and on. When a Scientologist would reach a certain level called an OT level, a briefcase would be deployed containing references to Xenu, the galactic overlord of 75 millions years ago who had brought alien souls to Planet Earth and that humans inhabit their souls, or some such thing. It is what I always thought - aliens have always been here and Tom Cruise is a supernatural alien being indeed.
Based on Lawrence Wright's book, there are sections of "Going Clear" that made me laugh and other moments that made me cringe and feel a tinge of horror. Watching Tom Cruise in an audience of thousands salute a picture of L. Ron Hubbard is both laughable and scary at the same time - what is with this military salute? Even the top-level Scientologists are shown in military uniforms that look like they are ready to conquer Poland. Ex-top-level Scientologist Marty Rathbun explains the torment he had to suffer by the hand of David Miscavige (the current leader), how he had to spy on the SP's (Suppresive Persons, those who leave and criticize the religion), set Tom Cruise up with a girlfriend (that remains the creepiest episode) and even tap Nicole Kidman's phone! Most telling is writer-director Paul Haggis ("Crash") who had been a member for 35 years yet when he learned of the mythology surrounding it, he laughed and could not take it seriously. Still, during those 35 years, how long did it take to reach that OT level where you say, "What in God's name is going on here?"
"Going Clear" has already been deemed as anti-Scientology propaganda by, you guessed it, spokespersons of the Scientology movement (no current members were interviewed for the documentary). But it is hard to believe that ex-Scientologists, who have decided to take a stand and inform the public of this pseudo-religion, are untrustworthy or have an ax to grind. How can one disbelief that members perform menial jobs for 40 cents an hour? How can one disbelief that people who leave the religion are spied on, and for what purpose exactly? How can one disbelief that Travolta and Cruise are two superstar celebrities who are in too deep to ever just willingly walk away, thanks to endless audits that are far too personal and possibly damaging to their reputations? One aspect I walked away with from this stunningly edited and extremely eerie documentary is that if you are going to start a religion, make sure you fight tooth and nail to keep the IRS out of your backyard. The war is over for them, but the war on this most damaging religion has just begun. That, and now this film has ruined Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" for me.
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