Chasing Einstein

Wj2007, yes, it is a vanity project of the guy you mention. He hates science, thinks he knows more than scientists, all because he looked up at the sky during a time of grief and loss and thought he understood something no one else has. Better this than his actually starting a cult religion, no?

The original book he got someone to write for him rested on how scientists and science fail and lie and and should be dismissed, citing the fact that CERN had as yet been unsuccessful in finding the "god particle" as evidence of the general fraud of Science. Then the good folks at CERN did find whatever they were looking for. Particle Fever is a fun movie.

So this film seems a little different of a tack since that premise was taken away, but still in the vein of "science doesn't know what it's talking about, and everyone should listen to me." And since he has money and other wealthy neighbors who know how to make movies, you get this.

People seem to be enjoying it, for what that's worth. The film makers are showing scientists up close, in all their frailty and uncertainty, which normal, empathetic people understand and appreciate rather than condemn them for. So, Irony!

Be warned. While it was somewhat interesting, anyone considering watching it should know that the movie really is about a number of prominent physicists (and one physics interested entrepreneur), not about the physics in which they are engaged.

The focus is on the motivations and lives of a few very bright people who have devoted years of their lives to exploring dark matter. Unfortunately the movie provides almost no explanation of why it is that physicists believe that there is such a thing or even a minimally adequate brief discussion of the possible alternative candidate hypotheses, thereby leaving viewers with fragmentary understandings of the very people upon whom the film focuses.

To use just one example, the reason why current physicists are confronted with the problem of dark matter is due to the work of Vera Rubin. No discussion of her work on the rotation of stars around galaxies is provided. There is no discussion of why, e.g., WIMPs (Weak Interactive Massive Particles) or modifications to gravity in certain situations, would explain the apparent 'missing' matter.

In short, while it is interesting to see dedicated people working for years risking great disappointment, if you do not understand the subject matter when you go into the movie, that is the way in which you will be when you leave the film.

P.S. One curious unexplained part of the film is the appearance of a Silicon Valley millionaire (I believe that it is Cree Edwards) hosting some of the physicists. As this man contributes little to the movie itself, I could not help but wonder whether he had financed this movie as a vanity project. Does anyone know?

I found it be thoroughly delightful film. Yes, it is more about the people than the science as another reviewer pointed out. I too would have enjoyed more (say, an hour or so) coverage of the science but feel this was a necessary limitation lest it be a considerably longer film. Seeing some of the process by which science is done and getting to know the scientists as people rather than two dimensional characters in media sound bites really made the film. Instead, were drawn into the story and I was sorry to have it end. So, I think, was the man two seats in front of me - Barry Barish, who was seeing it for the first time. In my fantasy world, after the film we would have gone across the street to El Portal to discuss the film, the science and all those questions that you never have a physicist around to answer.

Highly enjoyable. Highly recommended.

I saw this on opening night followed by a Q&A from the filmmakers.

This is a worthy follow up to "Particle Fever" (about the discovery of the Higgs boson at the LHC) about 4 years ago, but goes to the next step. The theoretical and experimental physicists in this film are in a friendly/professional competition to either 1) discover the next new form of matter or 2) upend everything we think about how the Universe works based on Einstein's theory of relativity. And the viewer is left thinking, "Could go either way." Fascinating personalities and very accessible versions of cutting edge science.

Why not 10/10? There was one character, a non-scientist, who struck me as the "curmudgeonly skeptic" who seemed to mistrust all big science. He reminded me of people who say about 9/11, "Yes, but what about Building 7?" He didn't contribute anything useful to the dialogue for me.

Otherwise, this is an excellent film for people who take delight in wondering about the fundamental questions of the Universe. Indeed, a "Particle Fever"/"Chasing Einstein" double feature with a group of geeky friends would make a delightful evening.

This doc is a dark matter ticket into the world of Physics underground labs and the charismatic characters that operate them!

While trying to solve one of the great mysteries of our universe this film is funny, poignant and inspiring! Congrats to the filmmakers!