Watch The Dark Matter of Love

The Dark Matter of Love is an intriguing documentary from 2012 that chronicles the journey of a family as they adopt three children from Russia and attempt to turn them into their own. The movie follows this complex process that is a mix of heartwarming moments and serious challenges, highlighting the transformative power of love and the importance of family.

The Diaz family, a couple from Wisconsin, embarked on this journey after being unable to conceive a child of their own. The film starts with their decision to adopt three siblings from Russia - Caitlyn Maria Diaz, Camilena Anna Diaz, and Cayden Marcel Diaz, aged 11, 9, and 5 respectively. The Diaz family is excited, but they are also nervous about the challenges that lie ahead, especially given that the children have spent their entire lives in an orphanage and do not speak English.

The first half of the film deals with the early stages of the adoption process as the Diaz family travels to Russia to meet the children and bring them back to the United States. The film does an excellent job of capturing the way the family bonds with the children despite the language barrier and the differences in culture. The Diaz family does everything they can to make the children feel at home and make them feel loved. It is heartening to see how the children, who are initially cautious and shy, slowly open up to the warmth and care of their new family.

However, it is not all smooth sailing in the process of creating a family. The Diaz family has to deal with a lot of challenges such as the children's learning difficulties, adjustment to a new home, and behavioral issues. The challenges are especially pronounced for Caitlyn, the oldest of the three siblings, who struggles to get rid of her old adoptive parents' memories and to trust the new family. The movie does not shy away from showing the difficult moments or the emotional toll it takes on the Diaz family.

One of the most engaging aspects of the documentary is its exploration of the science behind bonding and attachment. The film invests in scientific research to understand the biology of love and how it is formed. The Diaz family is consulted by a scientist who studies bonding and affection, and the film captures the children's brains' scans responding to different family members' affections. These findings are displayed in a straightforward way that makes it easy for the viewer to understand.

The movie is not only an observation of the family's journey but also a commentary on broader themes. It exposes issues of institutionalization and the trauma that orphaned children experience when they don't have a family. It calls for compassion towards children in the process of adoption, and it emphasizes the long-term commitment it takes to build a family. The documentary also does a great job of highlighting cultural differences in how people interact with one another.

As the movie progresses towards the conclusion, the viewer is taken on a rollercoaster ride of emotions. The Dark Matter of Love is not just a movie about science or adoption, but it is also a celebration of family and the power of love. It highlights that love is unconditional, and it does not discriminate against age, race, or language.

In conclusion, The Dark Matter of Love (2012) is an outstanding documentary that deserves to be watched by anyone interested in the science of love or the dynamics of family bonding. It covers a range of themes from not only the science of bonding but also adoption, trauma, love, and family. The Diaz family's journey is captivating, and the challenges they face make their story all the more relatable. The movie is an excellent exploration of relationships, and it is guaranteed to leave the viewers emotional at its conclusion.

The Dark Matter of Love is a 2012 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 33 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.4.