The Da Vinci Code

Directed by Ron Howard
Written by Akiva Goldsman
Starring Tom Hanks, Audrey Tautou, Ian McKellan, Alfred Molina, & Jean Reno

It is a daunting task to take a novel with the cult like popularity that Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code has attained and turn it into an equally successful movie. This is exactly what director Ron Howard and screenwriter Akiva Goldsman have attempted to do however. Even though The Da Vinci Code is one of the most anticipated movies in recent memory it falls far short of expectations.

The plot does stay pretty true to the novel as it follows Hanks' character, Robert Langdon a Harvard professor of symbology, as he becomes a suspect in the murder of a curator of the famed Louvre. The curator, in his final moments, leaves a series of clues that tie his murder to Leonardo Da Vinci and a secret society. Enter Sophie Neveu (Tautou), the estranged granddaughter of the deceased curator and cryptologist for the police in Paris. Together, Langdon and Neveu begin to unlock the clues to a mystery that has been covered up for centuries by the covert Priory of Sion of which Neveu's grandfather was the grandmaster.

Langdon and Neveu are chased across Paris and eventually London by Opus Dei, a secret organization of the Catholic Church. With the help of Sir Leigh Teabing (McKellan) our heroes learn the truth of the quest for the Holy Grail that has been kept secret for centuries by the Priory of Sion, and the fanatical desire of Opus Dei to destroy the Grail at all costs to protect the largest cover up in human history.

It is obvious from the start that Ron Howard was simply the wrong choice to direct a film of this potential magnitude. His play it safe approach did not translate well. Howard did not even take advantage of some of the great cinematography that Paris and London have to offer instead settling for dark interior shots. It was not all Mr. Howard's fault however, as the writing was simply awful. The dialogue was laughable and completely unbelievable. Not even the star power of Tom Hanks could save this film as he quite frankly phoned in this performance.

The bright spots of this otherwise disappointing venture were Ian McKellan with his dead on performance of eccentric Grail historian Sir Leigh Teabing and Jean Reno in his role as the mislead police inspector Bezu Fache. McKellan turns in his customary brilliant performance, and I would not be surprised that come Oscar time we see him get a nod for Best Supporting Actor. Reno does a good job with a poorly written role showing that he is a talented character actor.

With a running time of two and a half hours, this movie is far too much of a time investment for the disappointment that it delivers. The die hard fans of the novel will enjoy this movie as it is the visual interpretation of the book, but moviegoers who are looking to be entertained by an intricate plot and Hollywood star power, will be sadly disappointed. This movie never delivers the thought provoking promise it makes, and I would advise to wait for the rental.