REVIEWS
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“What really matters is what you believe.”
Truer words may never have been spoken, but when Dan Brown put them in his novel, he probably knew that already. From its release in hardcover, “The DaVinci Code” was the very definition of controversy. Taking the world by storm, author Dan Brown called out the very nature of religious history. In doing so, of course, he knew that nothing would ever be the same again. The only question is did he know his words would eventually speak about the film adaptation as well?
Look at the opening sentence again; “What really matters is what you believe.” That not only describes what drives the characters in the story, but what may or may not drive audiences to the theatre. “Controversy courts controversy,” it always has, it always will. Although when religion is involved, it's taken to a whole new level. Clearly “The Da Vinci Code” is in a whole new level. There is no doubt the book was a huge success. So in our society that of course means a film version can't be far behind.
Now examine the elements that would eventually go into the movie. You have Hollywood's favorite son Tom Hanks in the lead role, the very talented Ron Howard at the helm, authentic locations being used and for good measure a score by Oscar winner Hans Zimmer. What could go wrong? If you ask the many critics at the film's foreign debut, then they would say everything. Although as I hope you have surmised from the opening quote, I believe different.
Sure the movie has some flaws, most do, but not that's the deciding factor for audiences in this case. This film is entertaining and the millions and millions of people who read this book are going to want to see Hollywood's spin on it, no matter what the critics may say. You can't attack the plot, because everybody already knows it. A symbologist (Hanks) and a cryptologist (Audrey Tautou) team up to solve a murder at the world famous Lourve museum in Paris. What they find may challenge the very basics religion was founded. But can survive those who wish to keep it secret. Now whether you choose to believe in the validity of the plot is another story for another day. This story involves asking does the movie do the book justice?
Tom Hanks stars as Robert Langdon, a professor who unwittingly becomes wrapped up this twisted tale. Hanks as usual is great, he is as likeable on screen as he is off. That's his personality. He stars along side Audrey Tautou who plays Sophie Neveu, Langdon's guide into this new realm. Tautou is a well known French actress, but this is really her first real foray into American cinemas. She beat a lot of top American talent for the role and makes the character her own. Although its' Sir Ian McKellen who really steals the show. McKellen is going to have a huge summer at the box office, between this and “X-Men 3.” Here McKellen plays Sir Leigh Teabing, a British researcher and friend of Langdon who helps fill in the gaps and unveil hidden clues in well-known places. He also provides some great lines of dialogue.
One such line really drives home the point of the film; “As long as there has been one true God, there has been killing in his name.” Langdon, Teabing and Neveu are trying to unlock the secrets behind this mysterious murder, which keeps leading them back to a story, many don't want revealed. This is also huge in our society today where terrorists kill in the name of the Lord. Religion is one of the touchiest areas in world, next to politics. What type of religious beliefs one subscribes goes a long way in defining who they are. People use God and religion to justify things they aren't even sure are right.
Ron Howard and company did a great job with this movie, but even at around two and a half hours, not everything can be included. Not having read the book, I don't know all of the differences, but I do know it shared one big similarity. It caused a stir. Granted when you advertise a movie of this nature (or any nature for the matter) on the scaffolding outside a church being renovated (true story), that's going to happen. No matter what your take on a subject, it's not hard to be able to fault it for some reason. It's our human nature to question and criticize. So dark the con of man.
