"The DaVinci Code" - Somewhere between Knight and Dei by Homer Yen (c) 2006
What really is the Holy Grail? Was the church founded on a lie? Is there a trail of historical clues that may unravel a mystery that has simmered since the time of Christ? "The DaVinci Code" plays like a scavenger hunt through the annals of time with clues strung together by the likes of the Christian Church, Sir Isaac Newton, and even Leonardo DiVinci.
Helmed by the steady hand of Director Ron Howard, he elevates this potboiler of a mystery from the pages of this worldwide best-selling novel. You will admire the film's handsome qualities; the film visits exotic and historically relevant sights. You will admire the film's tone; the film forwards a provocative theological premise that becomes more intriguing as it progresses. And, you will admire the film's style; it has an engaging cloak-and-dagger feel although it lacks the pulse-quickening action that summer filmgoers may have come to expect.
The journey to find the historical truth begins when a bizarre murder in the Louvre leads to a troubling revelation about a conspiracy within the Catholic Church. On the case is Professor Langdon (Tom Hanks) who is an expert in theology but who is in need of, perhaps, a lesson in charisma. Also of some help is a cute cryptologist Sophie Neveu (Audrey Tautou) from the local French police department.
Of particular fun in fueling this controversial story is their visit to Grail expert Leigh Teabing (the always-avuncular Ian McKellan). He provides a fascinating dissection of the artwork known as the Last Supper and regales us with notions about Mary Magdalene, The Knights Templar, The Opus Dei sect, and even Jesus Christ. This scene itself might be worth the price of admission (or at least a trip to the local art gallery). But not everyone is so helpful and their quest is invariably interrupted by a dogged French inspector (Jean Reno) and a masochistic, penitent assassin (Paul Bettany). Bettany's sympathetic performance is one of the best in the film, as is that of Ian McKellen, who delivers a crafty turn as an obsessive Grail hunter.
Oddly, while the film is watchable, what this religiously-toned film is missing is conviction. Ron Howard treads the material very gingerly and seems almost apologetic in its ability to get his story moving. It looks like he's tried to soothe some of the misgivings of Christian groups. Thus it has sometimes as much decidedness as Bush's middle-of-the-road stance on immigration. Also ironic is the film's treatment of the female lead. As the film goes to great length to explain the power of the Grail, you would expect more from Audrey Tautou other than her just being a helpful sidekick.
I don't know whether I actually enjoyed the experience of watching the film itself as it unfolded over the 2 1/2 hours on the big screen. This is certainly not the Holy Grail of the summer bunch. The path of clues seemed so convoluted at times that you'd wonder if anyone would ever be able to decipher it. But the aura of mystery is undeniable, it always seemed to be on the edge of a startling revelation, and the ideas are fascinating.
Grade: B
S: 0 out of 3 L: 0 out of 3 V: 3 out of 3
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