DaVinci Code Hard to Decipher This One **1/2

Rating: 5/10 (25 May 2006)

Even though I did not read the book, I am not at all surprised why Catholic groups are outraged by this film. Fiction or not,it is really insulting to Catholic tenet.
Tom Hanks is really miscast in the lead here. A better choice would have been Ralph Fiennes.
The acting in this film is stolen by Ian McCellan, who turns in a fabulous performance as a rogue providing further mystery to a very old church secret. Alfred Molina, as the renegade priest, brings sustained energy to the role.
The picture is too long and should have ended with the McCellan arrest.
The murderous monk is portrayed by someone who looks like a very young Malcolm McDowall of "A Clockwork Orange" fame.
It would have been interesting how Mel Gibson would have handled this film. I wonder who he would have blamed for this one.