Open Forum Friday: Is P.T. Anderson Crossing the Line by Criticizing Scientology?

Posted by on July 13th, 2012   Filed under: Open Forum Friday

It’s been a pretty poorly kept secret that P.T. Anderson’s upcoming film The Master is about a man who starts a pseudo-religious organization that is loosely based on Scientology. While the religion in the film is called “The Cause”, Philip Seymour Hoffman’s character reportedly has more than a few things in common with Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard, including the fact that they both have wives named Mary-Sue. Rumour has it that Anderson recently called upon his former Magnolia star Tom Cruise to screen an early cut of The Master and offer his thoughts. As it turns out, Cruise was reportedly not pleased about one line in particular that implied Philip Seymour Hoffman’s character was “making it up as he goes along.” Cruise asked him to take out the line but Anderson refused… so why did he ask for his approval in the first place?

Most of Tom Cruise’s image problems in recent years have come from his ties to the Church of Scientology, and with his recent divorce from Katie Holmes, Scientology is once again being seen in a negative light. Since The Church has always being very aggressive in silencing its critics, I suspect The Master will meet more opposition before it hits theatres in October. But isn’t it wrong to criticize someone’s religious beliefs? It’s unclear if the movie is openly critical and how much of it is really based on Scientology, but Hoffman’s character certainly seems to be portrayed as a villain. What do you think? Is P.T. Anderson going too far here? Should he be more respectful of the beliefs of others or should his film be protected as a work of art? Is there a difference between Scientology and other religions? Give us your thoughts here on Open Forum Friday.



  • mark

    The more I find out about this movie, the more I wanna see it.

  • No! Nobody in the media or public seems to have any issues critizing Christian or Muslim beliefs any chance they get. So who gives a shit if someone wants to criticize a religion that was just made up 50 years ago. At least the other two religions have long histories behind them.

    Fair game!

  • BarBar

    Isn’t there a huge difference between showing a film to someone for their thoughts as opposed to ask for their “blessing”? Maybe PTA was hoping for some sort of reaction to make sure that he wasn’t reining anything in, and as for causing offence on a religious basis, wouldn’t any religious film, or film about religion do that immediately, otherwise it would almost be failing itself.

    Besides, some of the tunes in Jesus Christ Superstar were pretty catchy

  • Tomoo

    I say more power to Anderson to keeping the lines in. Opinions incoming but it could be argued that most religions can be exploitative to it’s followers in some way. I say it’s all fair game. I think the thing that matters most to be is that the film doesn’t beat you over the head with it, we wouldn’t want another commentary like the Spiderman post 9/11 one.

  • Henrik

    Doesn’t sound like he went too far at all…

  • Steini

    First of: I agree with Cringe, if other religions get criticized why shouldn’t you be able to criticize Scientology, it’s P.T. Andersons good right to show his opinion.
    Secondly: I strongly disagree with the notion that Scientology is just another religion because it exploits, harasses and forces its members to pay huge amounts of money. Of course you could argue that all religions do that to some extent but Scientology does it in bigger dimensions.
    To me Scientology is only on a secondary level some kind of religion but that’s only a backdrop to make a lot of money.
    And that’s also why I don’t like Tom Cruise as a person anymore, I don’t say that I wouldn’t watch a movie because he is in it but it’s certainly not a selling point for me if he is in it.

  • andrew hernandez

    Paul has not gone too far at all. Religion should not be free from criticism. It should

    be questioned and open to debate.

    Individuals should be respected, but not their silly beliefs, especially when they cause

    cause harm to the progress of humankind.

  • Mrespony

    “But isn’t it wrong to criticize someone’s religious beliefs? … Should he be more respectful of the beliefs of others or should his film be protected as a work of art?” – Seriously? How is it wrong? Why do you need to be respectful? Protected from what?

  • Steve

    It will be interesting to see how this compares with that new Jesus Christ movie that’s in development.

  • Drewsifer

    I think it’s important for anyone in the entertainment industry to not only analyze, but criticize every aspect of society. There should be no boundaries in topics of the positive or negative. Look at Louise Ck, Tracey Morgan, or Daniel Tosh. Pick risky subjects and you get people talkig about it. Healthy discussion.

  • daniel g.

    All religions are weird. I don’t know why everyone dog piles scientology. That being said, screw anyone who is overbearing about their religion.

  • Mike H

    I wouldnt criticize someones religious beliefs at all, Scientology on the other hand is a cult and I have no problem knocking that one down.

  • Zac

    He may be scrutinising the organisation behind Scientology more than the religion itself. I myself find that some one can worship what ever they chose without it being called into question on a public stage. Even aspects of the oldest, most established religions are ridiculous, but never seem to get that much press. The actions, however, of the “Church” of Scientology are inhumane and don’t receive enough attention. Anderson’s latest may be a story of morality and distortion of values, as well as a cautionary tale on the religion itself.

  • anton

    I think there is no difference between religious and political views. To protect religion from criticism under the notion of “sacred” is thought dictatoriship in disguise.

  • Klond

    Ofcourse you can critisize religion, what kind of scary comment is that, that you cant criticize someones belife.

  • Dr. Wahoo Capybara

    Where did the idea that Mr. Anderson is criticizing anything come from? Has he penned an article, done an interview, specifically stated at any point his feelings on Scientology?

    The Master is a fictional film that will tell a fictional story. Scientology is not mentioned in the film nor is L. Ron Hubbard.

    Did you think perhaps that Mr. Anderson may have screened the film for Cruise to show him that there is no focus on or criticism of Scientology present?

    From the clips now available from the film what it appears to be is a rather intense character study and not a vicious howl about any religion.

    Basically I think it is fairly irresponsible to promote the idea that this film is criticizing anybody or their religion as that is tantamount to suggesting that artists or any citizen in this country should consider censoring themselves before creating a work of art, putting pen to paper, fingers to keyboard, or even opening their mouth. What exactly was your point here Sean? Have you even seen the film yet?

    We live in a country where freedom of speech is our right and if I wanted to compose or create something critical of another person’s beliefs, particularly a religion, I or we may do so and people that hold those beliefs are free to respond.

    So frankly I do not even see what you are getting at here other than stirring the pot…

  • I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that there are so many Film Junkers in favour of being critical of religion. I’m sure everyone knows what my own thoughts are.

    Still, I am surprised when people say that Christianity and Islam are criticized so often. I would say the opposite. The whole reason for posting this topic is because I felt like Scientology is open game while other religions are not.

  • The Master, Battleship Earth premium podcast?

  • anonymiss

    i don’t know, if they cut out the line i will be peeved

  • Zac

    I’m in the same boat as Sean. Some how I’m pretty much only comfortable with the film if P.T. Anderson is Atheist, because a Christian’s attack on Scientology would seem to be more out of spite than just wanting to genuinely objective story or a satirical look at the religion.

  • Dr. Wahoo Capybara

    The fact is, Sean, that I was not at all critical of religion in the reply I wrote but I was critical of this article you wrote. Particularly the headline, which asks if Mr. Anderson has been “Crossing the Line by Criticizing Scientology?” which made me think when I saw it that he had personally made some comments or statements to that effect.

    He has not and unless you have watched his film I don’t think you can even give a fair opinion about if the film makes such criticism.

    I actually don’t know what your thoughts are with regards to religion or discussion of it.

    You state in your response:

    “Still, I am surprised when people say that Christianity and Islam are criticized so often. I would say the opposite.”

    The fact is, Sean, that I was not at all critical of religion in the reply I wrote but I was critical of this article you wrote. Particularly the headline, which asks if Mr. Anderson has been “Crossing the Line by Criticizing Scientology?” which made me think when I saw it that he had personally made some comments or statements to that effect.

    He has not and unless you have watched his film I don’t think you can even give a fair opinion about if the film makes such criticism.

    I actually don’t know what your thoughts are with regards to religion or discussion of it.

    You state in your response:

    “Still, I am surprised when people say that Christianity and Islam are criticized so often. I would say the opposite.”

    Really? Christianity has been deeply criticized throughout its history. Islam has been criticized for engendering violent, oppressive and brutal social norms in the societies where it is practiced and just made headline news again with the public execution of a woman that was raped, then charged with adultery, then tortured, then shot 9 times in public.

    The Israelis put the Jewish faith on the block every time they kill innocents in the Gaza Strip. Of course when the Palestinians respond this puts Islam in the news. It is a vicious cycle.

    Religion is under fire and heavily criticized all the time and in most cases it is well deserved.

    Scientology works as a pyramid scheme and should not even be characterized as a religion but rather a business with a self-help philosophy. It has also been in the news recently for the mistreatment of children and treating them as slave laborers while keeping them imprisoned under threat…including physical abuse.

    The FBI has an on-going investigation.

    Do I think all that is open to debate and criticism? You bet I do.

    Still how does this relate to a film that has not even been released yet?

  • Steve

    America (and Canada) has a bill or rights with freedom or religion and freedom of speech. Freedom of speech covers artistic expression. So it is within a filmmaker’s rights to say what he wants with his art. Now whether he is doing anything productive by this is questionable. I know very little about Scientology, but as a Christian I don’t feel very good about movies that criticize religion based on characters or documentary subjects who are fundamentalist fanatics representing the minority (i.e. I’m not anxious to ever see “Religulous.” Maybe this is what Cruise saw in Anderson’s rough cut. I mean you especially wouldn’t want a character that is represent to be your religion’s founder looking like a fanatic. Why don’t scientologists just make their own movies representing their beliefs? Oh wait, that was “Battlefield Earth,” wasn’t it?

  • andrew hernandez

    The only reason that Christianity does not sound crazy and irrational to many is

    because they are used to it, it is part of popular culture. If I was the only one in the

    world that believed a 2000 year old zombie watches over me, I would probably

    be committed to a mental institution. But because millions believe this, it is called

    a religion.

  • shutthrfuckup

    art is supposed to be critical of society.
    you, also, are stupid.