The DaVinci Code: Thoughts

I, along with a group of folks from the theatre, caught The DaVinci Code Saturday night. As a film that entertained me, I give it no higher than a C-. As an entertainment phenomenon I give it considerably higher marks.

I have to say I was thoroughly disappointed with both Tom Hanks' performance and Ron Howard's direction, as well as the cinematography. And when a film can turn one of my favorite actors, Jean Reno, into a prop, it obviously is missing something. Everybody on this film as done better work in other efforts.

There was considerable risk in doing a film of such a well known book, perhaps more so than other well know novels, perhaps not. But not because of controversial subject matter. There really isn't any controversy. The film certainly didn't do anything to make the telling of old news special. Other than making scads of dough, I can't see any hint in the final product that tells me someone had a compelling reason to make this film, or rather tell this story on film. Too bad. I think even with everyone knowing where it was going, it could have been a compelling film in the right hands.

I also think the filmmakers pulled their punches. The book has a great punchline and ending, but this film just fades out like the bad CG used when Langdon tries to solve a puzzle.

Two telling reactions from our group. One feel asleep. The other, one of the few people who has never read the book, wasn't overly excited by the film.

In our little corner of the woods, very few films draw sold out showings and huge interest. It's not a great movie going area, part of that being our two movie houses are both exceptionally lousy. This was one of the few sold out movies I've seen at either theatre in the last few years, and given the movie going milieu and how religiously conservative our area is, I have to say I was surprised at the turnout.

Makes me wonder just how well this film could have been done if there had been a vision behind the making of the film, other than making money.