I'm A Fan -- The Da Vinci Code is Great!

Rating: 9/10 (3 June 2006)

I read the novel. I loved it. I was delighted when I heard that the book was going to be made into a film, that Ron Howard would be directing, and that Tom Hanks would star. When I began to hear rumblings that the film wasn't good, I grew concerned in a protective way -- because I was attached to the book and adore both Howard and Hanks. I went to see DVC the weekend it opened, but, I admit, reluctantly. I might not have gone except out of my sense of loyalty and because I'd made a date months ago with a friend who shared my joy of the book.
I'm SO glad I did. I loved the film!
In contrast to criticism I've read, I didn't feel like the film bogged down. It was wonderfully absorbing, gripping even. In my opinion, Hanks and Tatou shared a lovely chemistry. In fact, I thought that the way in which their connection developed over the course of the film was one of its great strengths. Phooey as well to the much-ballyhooed claim that the film was wordy and didactic. Howard balanced words and action superbly. (In fact, one of my few criticisms is that I would have liked to see more exposition at the beginning of the film. Folks who haven't read the book are likely to be confused about who was murdered and the man's connection to the Louvre.) It was also a great treat -- as always -- to watch Ian McKellen in action. He's a glinting jewel in whatever role he plays and, in my estimation, only grows better with age.
I have to say honestly, now that I've seen DVC, that I'm troubled by the strength - - and depth -- of the criticism that was thrown at the film, especially before its release. In fact, since seeing the film, I've come to think that that's an issue worthy of greater examination. Is it possible, for example, that some folks who didn't want the film to succeed -- because they felt it portrayed the Catholic Church (or, at least aspects of it) in a negative light, etc. -- were a bit disingenuous in their approach; that, rather than admit they hadn't seen the film and that they wanted people to buycott it -- they launched criticism of it at the cinematic level? What of the professional critics? Where have they been coming from?
Of course, I don't know the answer to those questions. I'm merely one simple moviegoer. All that I can say with authority -- because, I exercised independent thinking, "jumped the broom," and went to see the film -- is that I'm much more inclined to believe now in the "culture war" that I've been hearing people talk about than I was "Da Vinci Code, B.C.E."
To those of you debating whether to see DVC, my message is "Be of strong heart." Don't get scared off by the so-called literati -- or hoi-pol-loi. I had a grand experience.
P.S. I was on business in Oakland, California at the time, and saw the film at a wonderful -- and grand -- movie theater called, appropriately, the "Grand Lake." (There's a lake nearby although it isn't named "Grand.") The theater definitely added to my experience. If you live in that vicinity, I highly recommend that you take in the film there.