.saw it twice, need to see it again..

Rating: 10/10 (11 November 2008)

I've read 28-of-89 pages of comments posted here. I totally agree the book AND THE MOVIE are FICTIONAL. The film (directed by Ron Howard, scripted by Akiva Goldman) is very educationally entertaining, if you don't know too much about what the factual story is. Few users seem to know this; they did no research about the "facts" presented by author Dan Brown. One user wrote, "Dan Brown believes the documentation is fact; Ron Howard does not".
Dumb me, I had no idea "The Da Vinci Code" was causing such an uproar when the book was published (work-schedule). Therefore, IF I knew the book were being made into a film - and people all over the world were protesting it - I don't remember. I learned of it from a conversation I had with a fellow-worker.
I am a Christian and totally believe in the scriptures of The New Testament, and the holiness of Jesus. That is called "faith".
There is nothing to convince me otherwise. "Jesus of Nazareth" is my favorite movie of all time; it too, was not chronologically faithful to The New Testament. The difference between "Code" and "Nazareth" is, "Code" was filmed to be seen in a single viewing - "Nazareth" was a multi-series for British TV. Therefore, there was no concern about wasting time for character-development, nor re-arranging and discarding parts of the book's plot.
I feel Ron Howard should have made the movie much longer - in order to explain all the mysteries of the story presented through dialog - with an intermission to let the audience discuss what they had seen in the first half, so the second half would demand more attention and deep thought.
All of the actors/actresses were excellent in their roles, with the exception of diction; with the exception of "Silas" (Paul Bettany); "Sir Leigh Teabing" (Ian McKellan); and "Sister Sandrine" (Marie-Francoise Audollent), who were stellar in their roles. Although the actors who played the French police may be big stars, their elocution left something to be desired. That includes Tom Hanks ("Robert Langdon") and Audrey Tautou ("Sophie Neveu"). Movies depend upon dialog to tell the story, Ron Howard was just a bit careless not to be certain every word would be audible and understood.
"The Da Vinci Code" is a griping, fast-moving film, with the exception of character-development. People appeared instantaneously without any explanation of their importance to the story, yet we see archbishops playing pool. I found it ironic that "the last survivor (on Earth) of Jesus' bloodline" would be a police-woman, also one attempting to break the code.....also the grand-daughter of the curator of le Louvre.......he just happened to know the entire secret and the whereabouts of "The Holy Grail". How convenient. I also found it a stretch for "Sauniere" (Jean-Pierre Marielle) to painfully disfigure himself as he was dying, and to leave messages around his body to solve his murder and protect the resting-place of "The Grail". However, that made for great sleuthing for the rest of the cast, down to an archbishop of The Catholic Church.
A little research would have shown OPUS DEI ("God's Work") was not a secret faction of the church exclusively for bigwigs - it includes many ordinary people, all around the world, who are STILL radical with their self-flagellation, some of them even willing to be crucified to show their love of Jesus. They hear "take-up your cross and follow me" seriously. Paul Bettany's character exemplified that desire passionately, and his role made the entire movie meaningful.
None of the comments presented on IMDb.com mentioned that popes were not always religious people. "The Vatican" (the nation of "The Holy See") is a tiny, independent nation ruled autocratically by The Pope. He is not sent down from Heaven to be Jesus' vicar on Earth (Simon Peter), as some believe The Dali Lama is a divine being. The Pope is elected by other very ambitious, political archbishops. History certainly documents how they used the kings and queens of Europe to do their dirty work, to control the world....The Holy Roman Empire: the de Medicis, the Borgias? The Knights Exmplar were (and still may be) factual. In our present day, there is much debate whether Pope Pius XII connived with Hitler and Mussolini to save The Vatican, although he saved many Jews.
I truly enjoyed "The Da Vinci Code," and am anxious to view the DVD......a director's cut, I hope. Whether any of Da Vinci's paintings had hidden clues doesn't matter much to me. One user wrote, "Mona Lisa smiles because she knows The Holy Grail is missing and Jesus is still a bachelor." Another, "Fear men who can justify doing evil in God's name." Sounds like "Aringarosa" and "Silas" ? - does to me ! The action-scenes and the cathedrals in all those gorgeous places made-up for the few holes in the plot. I didn't find anything to laugh-at; this is a serious drama about a serious theory. As a Christian, I don't believe much of it. As for His marriage to Mary Magdalene, "google: 'The Bloodline of The Holy Grail'".
He was not divine ? Please......
I did far too much research on subjects of which I am familiar. I found "The Gospel of Mary" and read it. Now, I hope my next viewing of "Code" will be one for pure enjoyment and enrichment, WITHOUT commercials. I recommend this film for all, Christian or of any other religion. The theory that all religions have one god - Jesus and The Holy Spirit - is widely accepted. A couple of hours to lose oneself in a fascinating tale for the opportunity to further understand a topic about which one may not know too much, surely is not wasted time. I disagree with all of those who think this movie will not become a classic - it is, already. Bravo to all who had any part in its production.