Dodgy Da Vinci???

Rating: 6/10 (22 May 2006)

In a packed cinema (it is opening weekend)I waited in anticipation of THE summer blockbuster. Having witnessed several adaptions before after reading the book (Potters all, American Psycho, blah blah) I wondered what the afternoon would hold in store. Especially as I found the book extremely entertaining and a definite page-turner.
The store (unfortunately)was replete with a large helping of average. The practically catatonic audience were only stirred to the occasional titter raised by Sir Ian McKellan, who clearly decided that he was going to get in a bit of early practise for panto season. The normally elegant and alluring Audrey Tatou looked decidedly uncomfortable most of the way through, and Tom Hanks bore a puzzled look all the way through the film, even when he wasn't deciphering a puzzle. He just does not fit at all. Perhaps he was working out whether he's going to pick up an Oscar nomination or maybe he'd left the stove on? Only Jean Reno, Alfred Molina & the superb Paul Bettany as Silas (Yes, I know Opus Dei don't have monks) looked as if they were giving it their full attention.
The film is decidedly flabby somewhere and in definite need of a visit to the gym. Which aspect (be it director, screenplay, editor, leading man etc.) I shall leave up to you. If the execs decide they want another Brown conversion, perhaps the slightly better 'Angels & Demons), then they need to look seriously at some personnel changes, if they want it to do justice to the page turners that Brown produces.
I'm sure it will make the money; it's just a shame that in so many aspects it falls flat.