Depends on whether you've read the book or not

Rating: 7/10 (20 May 2006)

First I'd like to say that I am perplexed from people who rated this movie with 10 out of 10. Even though I try to be non-judgmental with regard's to people's taste, this movie is definitely not perfect and certainly does not rank with The Godfather and the like. But who am I to say so anyways, right?
The movie review now. If you have read the book, an excellent read (but with no literary value, mind you), then you will be happy to know that it is a pretty good adaptation that stays close to the text without major diversions. Some added dialogues between Hanks and Tautou though attempt at making the movie more "religiously-politically correct" and that annoyed me. A book is a book and if it offends you, don't see the movie. The extra dialogue and cross questioning in some scenes, aiming at easing the burden on the Catholic church, was too much and irrelevant. Everything else aside, book fans will like it. Yet, the movie does not move as fast as the book and the reason is that the explanatory dialogue (explaining splendidly the theories presented in the book, particularly to those who haven't read it) overwhelms the action and pace. If one judges the movie on its own merit, book aside, will be left with the impression that there is no chemistry between the protagonists even though the casting is pretty good. It is a decent movie, provocative in its own way, with good photography but does not add up to the pre-release hype. Had the book not been famous beforehand, I don't think the movie would ever be made. Overall, a decent movie and that's just about it.