What the Bleep Do We Know? (2004) 6/10
Scientists and mystics discuss the nature of reality.
What the Bleep…? has three basic trajectories. In one, scientists discuss quantum physics, neural networks, peptide receptors, the relationship between memory and reality, and how science can affect us personally and spiritually. This stuff is absolutely fascinating. In another, Marlee Matlin portrays the fictional Amanda, trapped in memories of a broken heart. Her mini-drama is meant to illustrate the points being made. Sometimes it is charming and funny, sometimes obvious and inelegant. Finally, the channeled entity Ramtha (JZ Knight) speaks mystical gobbledygook. Not fascinating. As a matter of fact, not even news. Anyone who has read any New Age material in the last twenty years knows what she’s going to say before she says it. Except when she’s being utterly unclear.
In fact, the scientists are edited in such a way as to emphasize the New Age pronouncements. There is far too little science in the film for my tastes. When discussing “The Hidden Messages in Water”, the actual data is quickly left behind in order to say “Do you realize what this means? Can you imagine applying this to your life?” More connections between the concrete science and the mystical implications would have made those implications more powerful.
There are also a lot of contradictions in the material. For example, the first thirty minutes or so of the film are dedicated to the nature of reality. We create our own reality, we believe reality is external but we’re wrong. Matter is far less solid than we think. Heisenberg. Quantum mechanics. La la la. Immediately thereafter the talking heads head into talking about God. ‘The religions are wrong!’ they say. ‘God is nothing like what they imagine!’ But how can they be “wrong” when they’re creating their own reality?
In sum, there’s an awful lot of value in What the Bleep Do We Know?, but an awful lot of self-important pontification as well. If you’re involved in a spiritual path of exploration, you probably already know about 80% of the information in the film. I suspect people newer to the material will be more fascinated than I was, but despite my familiarity, I learned some things and enjoyed some sections. It’s not that the information is wrong or unimportant, but the presentation leaves a lot to be desired, and the presence of Ramtha tends to discredit the whole affair.
