Film reviews

Tagline – Seek the Truth

The Da Vinci Code has become a phenomenon worldwide. The book by Dan Brown has become numero uno almost everywhere in the world. Given that, the movie should have been a hit. Sadly, nothing is further from the truth.

For those who refuse to get caught up with the trend and know nothing about it, The Da Vinci Code starts with a Harvard professor Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) who is an expert on symbology. While he was in Paris, he was approached by the French police to help in the investigation of a murdered museum caretaker. But during those few moments before he died, he decorated his chest as well as his surroundings with the most peculiar symbols to pass on an age-old knowledge. And that’s when the mystery unfolds, taking the characters from Paris to London and involving organisations from Opus Dei to Priory of Sion.

For me, Tom Hanks seems unsuitable for the main role with his new hairstyle; it may sound trivial but it’s true. It is too weird and fails to suspend the audience’s belief which is so crucial in drawing the audience into the plot. On the other hand, Paul Bettany fits the role of Silas so perfectly, it makes me jump in my seat a couple of times in shock at his sudden appearances. Sir Ian McKellen is spectacular as always with his charming ways as Sir Leigh Teabing.

As for the plot, if you do not like the book, you will hardly like the movie. Thankfully (for some), the movie follows the book closely in the beginning. However, the end has been changed significantly. For example, near the end, there seems to be an effort by the movie producers to stress that “human is divine”, perhaps to make the message made by the film more appeasing to those of Christian faith. However, I doubt it made such an effect. If anything, it seems to come off as a failed anticlimax.

However, the beautiful scenes and the excellent cinematography can make up for the other failures. The audience is treated with the sights of the Louvre museum and the Pyramid, the Temple Church, the Rosslyn Chapel and many more. The cinematography captures the flow of the story very well and it’s a fine pleasure for the audience to watch, especially since reading the book has fizzlde out the suspense of the movie greatly.

All in all, The Da Vinci Code is a must-watch for history, conspiracy and GK fans. Even though it is far from a classic and the phenomenon will no doubt be extinguished in a year or so, it is enjoyable nonetheless and worth three hours of your time. Just keep in mind that this movie, as well as the book, is nothing more but pure fiction and it should be treated as such.