don't judge a film by the book cover

Rating: 7/10 (12 November 2006)

I have been a fan of Dan Brown for some years and have read all his novels, The Da Vinci Code being the first. The book is extraordinary. If you allow the story line to be 'believable' then this is a thrilling ride(in words that is). Then the film comes out, clearly commissioned on the very high crest of popularity and controversy. This in effect is both the film's success and downfall. It is clear that when a book excels from the dialogue it generates, it cannot be completely recaptured on film without making it unwieldy and over long. It therefore must be seen as a film in its own right. Any attempt to compare it to the book is misleading as both media have their own strengths and limitations. Before you see the film therefore, do not presume that it is going to instill the same sense of awe and wonder (afterall you already know what message the film is trying to convey if you have read the book !) part of the success in the book is the newness of the ideas. Assuming the film will have the same impact as the book is a bit like opening the same Christmas present twice expecting it to have the same feel.
The film itself is good, the storyline is faithful to the book and the set scenes are handled with some panache (Ron Howard's experience in these scenes come through well). I agree with some critics that the dialogue at times is weak and the chemistry with Tom Hanks and Audrey Tatu is woefully thin, but these are offset by the wonderful Paul Bettany and the ever reliable Ian McKellern.
If you have read the book then enjoy the film as a fair representation of the key ideas, if you haven't read the book, then be prepared to be thrilled by a film with a stunning message, watch with an open mind and an open sense of what you want in a film and you may well be surprised at just how much you enjoyed this controversial film.