My Rating:
6.6 out of 10
The Da
Vinci Code is a 2006 American mystery psychological horror film produced
by John Calley and Brian Grazer and directed by Ron Howard. The screenplay is
written by Akiva Goldsman and it is adapted from Dan Brown's best-selling novel
of the same name. The film stars Tom Hanks as Robert Langdon, a professor of
religious iconography and symbology from Harvard University who is the prime
suspect in the grisly and unusual murder of Louvre curator Jacques Saunière. He
escapes with the assistance of a police cryptologist, Sophie Neveu played by
Audrey Tautou and they are embroiled in a quest for the legendary Holy Grail.
The movie also stars Ian McKellen, Alfred Molina, Jürgen Prochnow, Jean Reno,
and Paul Bettany in prominent roles.
The direction of the movie is satisfying and cinematography by
Salvatore Totino is remarkable. The camera's dollying effect with an effective
screenplay gives movie a good flow. The acting by Tom Hanks is as always
splendid and Ian McKellen and Audrey Tautou also give a great performance. The
score by Hans Zimmer is engaging. The movie as it says is based on Dan Brown's
novel of the same name but it is not entirely grounded on it. There have been
many differences in the plot. I initially read the novel and then watched the
movie. This does effect the movie watching. It becomes like a gift as well as a
curse for movie buffs because you know the suspense of the movie which ruins
the excitement but you can understand the dialogues and plot better which was a
great deal in this movie because of the content and history of religions and
symbols. You also know which parts have been left out in the movie. So, it gives
the impressions of both sides of the coin. As comparing to other movies based
on novels, it does far better justice to the novel. It includes main elements
and the suspense leaving out certain less important though interesting pieces. The
movie is less efficacious as mystery psychological horror and for a person who
hasn't read the novel; it creates difficulties to keep up with the story as it
keeps on dumping a whole load of information. Hanks could have been given more platforms
to show greater emotions of his character.
