The critics are prone to criticise good films. And they did pan The Da Vinci Code (DVC) which gave me hope.
DVC started well, it continued well and it finished badly. The film had pace, you were dragged from scene to scene, from discovery to discovery and then, at the crucial moment, you were subjected to a drawn out and slow presentation of the result. Unfortunately there was no tension in this presentation — you knew already what to expect, you knew, since an earlier scene, what the ultimate truth was, whether you knew the detail or not.
So the film had a poor ending, that doesn’t detract from it being a good film, right?
Well, there were a couple of other problems. The Bishop was fantastic, it took a second thought for me to remind myself he was acting, and Ian McKellen was absolutely perfect in my mind. The real plaudits should go to Paul Bettany, though. He was, is still in my memory, Silas. Silas was, now that I think back on my reading of the book, Paul Bettany! Sophie (Audrey Tautou) was acceptable — nothing special but not awful, but Tom Hanks, well, he really was awful!
They were walking the streets of London and I asked myself, why aren’t the public approaching and asking for autographs, or at least pointing and staring. At no point did I think that this man was Robert Langdon — not once.
After all the hype, there was always going to be some disappointment; National Treasure was a better film of the genre. But if you watch the film and sneak out during the dull end, you’ll enjoy it.
I have been careful, I hope, not to spoil the film. If you comment, please do the same! (as if there’s anyone who hasn’t read it).
Okay, I wasn’t going to enter into the fray over the ridiculous debate, but I have to say this: There was nothing there for any Christian to get upset about. Nothing.
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