a darn good mystery -a darn good movie

Rating: 7/10 (19 May 2006)

I never read the book so I had the awesome privilege of not having any clue what to expect from the film. To me the worst thing any movie goer could gripe about is: "...it ain't as good as the book.." you know -the typical complaint against any movie made from a best selling novel. Otherwise,I have no idea why the critics hated this movie!! Probably to be different from the hype (a last ditch effort of balding flabby gutted non film makers trying to be off beat and radical) Admittedly this film has little action so if you need CGI and explosions in your ADD existence then it's true, this film is not for you. However, if you enjoy watching a mystery unravel before you this movie is about excellent. The pacing is faster than an early 1970's film but slower than say LAST BOY SCOUT. But I never found myself fidgeting in my seat or turning my cel phone back on. The characters are well developed and done so quickly enough so as not to keep you wondering why they are the way they are. Also the acting is very convincing. The film is written well enough to add a chuckle here and there without making a farce of the atmosphere. Also the writer doesn't make the main character a super genius amongst a band of idiots. Personally, I feel, being the film is set mainly in France had Ron Howard added subtitles, cut scenes without thought and paced it even slower he'd have ensured the critics of today to taught it as inspired and a masterpiece. Seriously, the only problem I had with the movie at all was that I guessed the mystery half way through the film. Yet despite that I thought it was great and I would gladly sit through it again. Please don't let this fall by the way of THE ALAMO or TROY it is definitely worth the watch.