Pretty true to book, and well done I think

Rating: 8/10 (20 May 2006)

Really like a 7.7, but that's not an option. I will try to keep this short and to the point. All in all I liked the movie quite a bit. Viewing it as a movie on its own merits it was a good thriller. Definitely had an heir of mystery. The acting from Tom Hanks was good, he had a sort of fatherly tone at points, making him a believable professor. Ian Mckellan did a wonderful job and perhaps did the best acting in the film. Audrey Tautou I felt also had a good performance, but not great, she however seemed fitting to the character, and I am glad to see her break her way into more mainstream films. Many worried this movie would stir up controversy, but I do not feel it took a biased approach to the religious themes presented, and probably was more PC the than book itself.
Looking at it as a book turned movie I think it was very well adapted. There are few parts that differ, which at the risk of spoiling anything for non-readers I will not mention suffice it to say it is pretty true to the book, and the parts that were changed I was able to understand the reason for the change. The movie kept a lot of the informative sections without making them bland, through discussion we get somewhat of a history lesson, I'm sure some people would fine it bland, but I am patient and like the background, it adds a great depth to the story.
Good movie, not great, for those who read the book its a quick fix, for those who hate reading but wonder what the fuss is about, go see it.