I did not read Dan Brown's novel on which this film is based, nor do I intend to read it. Many people who denounced the book and sought to put down the movie, directed by Ron Howard, smelled blood after the film's poor reviews at the Cannes Film Festival. I was rooting for its success but, sorry to say, the negative reviews were warranted.
The book probably explains more of the details, but the screenplay contains lots of holes and is occasionally difficult to follow. Tom Hanks, with his distracting long hair, gives one of his worst performances to date as Harvard professor Robert Langdon. Jean Reno, portraying Inspector Bezu Fache, does well and against type -- he usually plays the criminal. Audrey Tautou, who reminds many of Audrey Hepburn, is no more than OK in her portrayal of French policewoman Sophie Neveu. The actor who dominates the film is Ian McKellen in his role as Sir Leigh Teabing.
Everyone knows the plot, so I won't restate it. Some of the elements of the movie, particularly the relationship between Teabing's character and his manservant and plane pilot, Remy (Jean-Yves Berteloot), were reminiscent of a James Bond film. Fear was expressed by some that the Catholic Church should worry about the movie's impact on audiences. Not to worry. Although everyone acknowledges that the book and the film are works of fiction, the real victim in the film is Opus Dei, the Catholic organization depicted as a cult of murderers. I would be angry if the Jewish Lubuvacher sect was portrayed in such a sordid manner. Albinos, born with a lack of skin pigmentation, may also be offended after seeing Paul Bettany's portrayal of Silas, the albino monk who flagellates himself and commits murder.
According to the Washington Post, "The Da Vinci Code" is estimated to have grossed $224 million worldwide, second to the $253 million debut of "Star Wars: Episode III -- Revenge of the Sith." For me, seeing the film was not a wasted evening, but it left much to be desired. But who knows, you may enjoy it.
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