The Da Vinci Code Review [2]
Posted by Chad Webb on 05.22.2006
So far, the most entertaining blockbuster of the year that is destined to be under appreciated.
Tom Hanks: Robert Langdon
Audrey Tautou: Sophie Neveu
Ian McKellen: Sir Leigh Teabing
Alfred Molina: Bishop Aringarosa
Jurgen Prochnow: Andre Vernet
Paul Bettany: Silas
Jean Reno: Captain Fache
Etienne Chicot: Lt. Collet
Jean Pierre Marielle: Jacques Sauniere
Clive Carter: Biggin Hill Police Captain
Seth Gabel: Michael
Directed By: Ron Howard
Release Date: May 19th, 2006
Running Time: 2 Hours and 29 Minutes
Rated PG-13 for disturbing images, violence, some nudity, thematic material, brief drug references and sexual content.
What happens when you adapt the most popular novel in recent memory to the big screen using a consistently great director, and the most beloved actor in Hollywood? The result is a pack of critics foaming at the mouth, and ready to attack the most anticipated film of the summer like hungry lions stalking a piece of red meat. This was expected. It is imperative to understand right away that Dan Brown's novel is a fictional piece. For those who thought the film had either too much or too little controversy, keep that fact in mind. It is not a story proposing a conspiracy theory to change our minds on religion. It is just a theory that has been smoothly placed into the body of thriller to cause an entertaining ride of history, myths, and religion. Aided by the best casting job of the year, director Ron Howard and screenwriter Akiva Goldsman have aroused the pages of the book with ingenious suspense, intriguing characters, and absorbing history to fashion a mind-blowing code-cracking spectacle.
Within a gallery of the Lourve, elderly curator Jacques Sauniere (Jean Pierre Marielle) utilizes the crucial last seconds of his life to display a special message. The mysterious monk named Silas (Paul Bettany), who appears to have been sent by the Opus Dei organization, murdered him in cold blood. When the authorities, led by Captain Fache (Jean Reno), discover his body, they call upon Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) to assist them with an inexplicable code near the body. Langdon was in Paris on business, and the murder catches him by surprise since he was scheduled to meet with Sauniere during his visit. The message left by the curator unearths a trail of puzzles hidden in the works of Leonardo Da Vinci. Langdon is joined by French cryptologist Sophie Neveu (Audrey Tautou), and together they discover that Sauniere was a member of the Priory of Sion, which is a secret society that is protecting an earth shattering mystery. After learning of these clues, Langdon and Neveu begin a quest through Paris to uncover the Priory's secret by solving each dilemma that comes their way. If they do not succeed, the Priory's secret will be destroyed and lost forever.
One of the primary arguments being made against this film is the length. At two and a half hours in length, many say it is too bulky, and should have been cut down significantly. Complaining about a film's running time is always an easy argument to use. In this case, it is ridiculous and almost immature. Screenwriter Akiva Goldsman had an immensely difficult task in adapting so many crucial plot points into an appropriate script, so that viewers could comprehend and enjoy the substance. In truth, the story translates from the book to the screen beautifully, with essential and unavoidable changes interwoven. In some cases, Langdon and Neveu solve the riddles a bit more quickly than the they do in the book. Howard and Goldsman really didn't have a choice in this matter. This is the only obvious flaw of this film. If one has not read the book, it might be hard to digest the historical details quick enough, but rest assured it is still a fascinating adventure.
It is true that Robert Langdon's ability to zigzag through the mazes of codes and messages in the film are about the same as Ben Gates' in National Treasure. Both men are extremely intelligent in their fields. Why should we argue with the characters if this is where their expertise lies? Do we scrutinize action heroes for surviving outlandish stunts, or computer wizzes for automatically knowing every hacking trick? I think not. Numerous groups have been up in arms over the public believing The Da Vinci Code's theories on religion. It should be reiterated that this is a fictional story. Apparently, there are some people who believe these theories. That is their opinion, and they are entitled to it. Did the audience leave National Treasure with the notion that a hidden treasure existed left behind by our country's most brilliant minds? Of course not, but it was still engaging. Taking this tale too seriously on either side is just absurd. The difference between the two movies is that Da Vinci houses more captivating history, while National Treasure is more of an action flick. Both films are underrated escapist jewels.
The casting was absolutely perfect in every way. For Tom Hanks, a thrilling adventure such as this almost seemed like a requirement for his resume. This is not the actor who dazzled us in Forrest Gump or captured our hearts in The Terminal. This is a man who knows better than anyone else how to become the role, not just portray it naively. He slips into the character of Robert Langdon like a comfy new suit. It fits wonderfully, and looks great on him. Langdon appears in the film exactly as he should. He could easily be compared to Indiana Jones or James Bond, but Langdon is more of a nerd (in a good way), and has less influence over women. Hanks is more subdued and precise here, and catches the eyes of moviegoers through his presence and spot on facial expressions.
The role of Sophie Neveu was up for grabs by multiple deserving females, but in the end Audrey Tautou was given the responsibility for this vital component. In a word, the Amelie star is fabulous. She conveys Sophie's look of overwhelming curiosity with a hypnotizing blast of brainpower. She was raised by Jacques Sauniere as a child, and the mysterious past the two shared could be the key to this conundrum. The actor who shines brightest is Jean Reno, who was so ideal for the role of Captain Fache, it's scary. According to Reno, the character of Fache was originally written by Dan Brown with Reno in mind. Adding marvelous splashes of humor is the wily and buoyant Sir Leigh Teabing, played by the magnificent Sir Ian McKellen. He is a specialist on Priory history, who is awakened in the middle of the night by the arrival of an old friend. Paul Bettany exhibited his evil side once this year in Firewall, but as the albino Silas, he is a picture of evil that leaves a lasting impression. This role should spark a long and successful career for him. As Bishop Aringarosa, Alfred Molina is the only talent that seems underutilized, but his performance is strong and intense nonetheless.
Director Ron Howard takes Dan Brown's accomplishment and fine-tunes it with a touch of genius by shaping lengthy portions of the book into masterful flashbacks of characters' pasts and important moments in history. The flashbacks have a grainy glow to them that is mesmerizing. Howard is so exceptionally faithful to the novel that I thought I was reading it all over again. One key alteration made involves the sequence at Leigh Teabing's mansion. When Langdon and Teabing discuss the Priory's background, Langdon is a skeptic who describes the statements solely as theories. This was a slight change, but fitting and involving to newcomers. Howard crafted the story by supplying depth and dimension to the characters that Brown failed to sufficiently realize. Through the beautiful and enchanting score by the unrivaled Hans Zimmer, and the stunningly picturesque cinematography by Salvatore Totino, The Da Vinci Code becomes the most valuable venture so far this year.
I have read all of Dan Brown's novels, and I can say that this is the most memorable. Perhaps one perceives Brown's writing as outlandish and dull, hence the film will not be enticing to you. That is a fine prerogative that I can respectfully disagree with, but the other accusations are simply unwarranted. I see no reason why fans of the book will not be satisfied. What was so rewarding about Howard's faithfulness to Brown's writing was not ending with an exhilarating action sequence or a startling twist, but with an image that acts as proper closing to a miraculously fulfilling ride through a terrific labyrinth. This excursion relies on the brain, and less on the exploiting cliched action. Much like V for Vendetta, these ideas are not force fed to the audience, but suggested as possibility. Ron Howard's goal was show us that our minds can travel in different directions every now and then, instead of constantly straight ahead.
The 411: Tom Hanks and Sophie Neveu lead an all-star cast with Ron Howard pulling the strings in an exciting and engrossing thrill ride of puzzles and history through Europe. How this movie is getting these undeserving comments by critics is beyond me. This is a wonderful film that Dan Brown and all of his fans should be proud of. And for those who have not discovered The Da Vinci Code, now is your chance.
