Quantum Physics 101: 'What the Bleep...' is a fine intro and a fair film

The Grand Rapids Press

At last -- a movie about quantum physics.

It's about time, and because quantum physics is one of the most interesting topics ever, it is difficult to understand why it has taken so long to get a movie on the screen.

"What the Bleep Do We Know!?" is not the ideal film to kick off what I hope will be a new genre of movies. "What the Bleep Do We Know!?" begins well but loses its way halfway through. It's not helped by the fact it had at least five endings.

But the film is about quantum physics, and that alone makes it worthwhile. I must warn purists the quantum physics in "What the Bleep Do We Know!?" is more the quantum physics of Fritjof Capra (author of "The Tao of Physics") than that of Werner Heisenberg ("Father of The Uncertainty Principle"). In other words, this film deals with the spiritual aspects of quantum physics rather than the hard-core physics and mathematical equations.

Quantum physics is the study of the smallest particles in the universe. In the level of existence where they hang out, many of the laws of physics are null and void. Hence, the quantum world invites spiritual and mystical interpretations about what is happening.

And that's all right with me. Some of that stuff is great fun, and it tends to open the mind to the wonder of it all.

The film stars Marlee Matlin as Amanda, a professional photographer who seems to be mad at the world. She apparently had been hurt in her life, and she is letting it have a negative effect on her. As her drama is played out, we hear from a host of scientists who talk about quantum physics and reality. One of the scientists is the gadfly of quantum physics, Fred Alan Wolf. Wolf wrote "Spacetime and Beyond," my introduction to quantum physics. He got me hooked.

The film moves from the quantum level to more of the world of biology and chemistry of the human body, which, while kind of interesting, is not as well presented as the quantum physics. The film bogs down when Amanda goes to photograph a wedding, and the film becomes involved in addiction and what causes it.

In fact, this film easily could be cut down to a half hour, which would have made it more evenly enjoyable. Still, if you know nothing about quantum physics, it would be perfectly all right to get your feet wet here. I know purists wince at those words, but I say any level of entry into this fascinating world is better than nothing.

I have been studying it for a number of years, and I don't begin to understand much about it. But what I do grasp is so absolutely wonderful that I don't care it is taking me a long time. Those moments of understanding are magical.

© 2004 Grand Rapids Press. Used with permission