Going Clear

Did anyone else catch Alex Gibney's Going Clear on HBO tonight? For anyone who's been following Scientology and the allegations of abuse, paranoia, corruption, and so on, there wasn't much in the way of bombshells- but it was nevertheless a scathing look at Scientology, L. Ron Hubbard, and David Miscavige. It was none too kind in its depictions of John Travolta and Tom Cruise, either.

The footage of church galas were notable, coming across like a fusion of the Academy Awards and the Third Reich.

Even if you had knowledge of Scientology, it is a powerful documentary about greed and the human need to make sense of the self and the world at whatever cost.

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Updated On: 3/29/15 at 11:23 PM

Agree with everything you posted, Kad. Though I didn't really understand the extent of mental and physical abuse the "church's" leadership is responsible for. Kind of startling. I know this makes me very LCD, but I was hoping for more dirt on Travolta and, especially, Cruise. But, I suppose Gibney didn't want to turn it into a celebrity expose.

Still, one day, I hope someone gets the dirt straight from Nicole and Katie. And Johnny T's masseur.

Haven't watched the documentary yet, but I did recently read Lawrence Wright's book on which it's based. Travolta actually doesn't get raked over the coals too much in the book (in fact, Wright and Paul Haggis commend him for coming to the defense of a gay waiter after a fellow Scientologist makes a homophobic response), so it will be interesting to see a different portrayal of him here.

Cruise, on the other hand, is not portrayed too kindly in the book--willfully ignorant at best, knowingly malignant at worst. A counter-narrative to his Mister Nice Guy persona.

Can't wait to watch this.

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It was a fascinating film, from start to finish. Travolta actually comes off comparatively well, the story from the woman named Spanky who calls him from the Scientology prison only to have him tell her to get the hell out was remarkable, all the more so as he's such a cheerleader for the cause. The brainwashing must be really effective.

I sincerely doubt that Tom Cruise's films will be playing on HBO for quite a while.

I was just moved to real pity and sadness for most of these people who can't find anything else to do with their lives but join some ridiculous phony religion. I've loved that Haggis story of his reaction to the whole Xenu story since I read it a few years back, it's almost enough to make me forgive him for CRASH.

One thing more -- if the IRS doesn't have enough evidence to re-evaluate Scientology's religious tax-exempt status over this film (and apparently the book it is based on) then there's something seriously wrong.

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There really is something seriously wrong. Trying to get their status revoked might be like trying to get toothpaste back in the tube. It was interesting that they only mentioned in passing the number of "organization" (aka front groups) that are basically Scientology.

I too thought it was a well-put together documentary with info I was mostly familiar with, but it was really something seeing it all live and in action.

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I came away feeling quite sorry for Travolta. Here is a man who clearly has wanted to leave the church for nearly 30 years, and because of what's he revealed by being audited, it simply trapped. Yes...it's a trap of his own making, but still.

Cruise, however? TERRIFYING. And the saluting? And the military-esque uniforms? F*CKing batsh*t. Poor, poor Spanky. Poor, poor all of them.

I agree, it was quite the ending. I was also a fan of the drone shot zooming over the blue Celebrity Center in LA.

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Horrifying. I still don't understand how someone with an IQ of over 50 could get sucked into such destructive foolishness.

Yeah, I thought that was one of the strongest things about it, that you really could understand how these people got sucked in.

Has the loud woman from KING OF QUEENS gone silent? Surprised we didn't hear from her. Wasn't she the one who publicly criticized Miscavige for imprisoning his wife? I used to live close to the Celebrity Center in LA. Kinda nuts to think that at one time there were people being forced to live on soggy mattresses on the roof of that obnoxious blue building.

Yeah, that's cool and all. Just strange that she wasn't in the film itself. Maybe her choice, who knows.

BTW, it's been bugging me, the lovely Spanky reminds me of a certain actress with a similar demeanor and way of speaking. Does anyone know who I might be thinking of?

Why are so many people focused on what wasn't in it?

...because despite how very well it was packaged, there wasn't a ton of new or surprising information in the doc. So, the biggest asset it had was the first-hand accounts from those who left the church. Can you blame us for wanting to hear even more of those accounts - especially from well known dissenters?