Wait for the DVD

Rating: 5/10 (20 May 2006)

I may have been one of 5 people left that hasn't read the book. I knew generally that the plot questions the "foundations" of Christianity and that it takes place in and around some of the "oldest, most historic sites" in Europe. I eagerly awaited opening day.
I stood in line; I paid top dollar for tickets. What a disappointment. This movie is boring and predictable. I actually nodded off at times and missed nothing! The most engaging parts of the movie were when Ian McKellen's character is providing background for the story. Not having read the book, I guessed fairly early on, the big ending and several of the minor twists. I don't consider myself a movie buff and don't often critique them but this movie left me feeling ripped off.
What has happened to Tom Hanks? Age has not been good to him. He looks older and a little too well fed in this movie. He doesn't act as much as just re-cite lines. I got no empathy nor feeling from him at all. The heroine, Audrey Tautou, also walked through the movie emoting nothing which is more glareing given the ending. The minor characters carried the show; Ian McKellen and Jean Reno especially, but also Jürgen Prochnow, and Paul Bettany.
Do yourself a favor, enjoy the book and wait for the DVD.