The Da Vinci Code

So we saw The Da Vinci Code on opening day - that is, the opening day for us plebian Americans, not for jet-setting celebritoid Cannes-types - "we" being myself, M, and M's friend Linda, a Lutheran minister. I had never read the book; indeed, I really had no idea what it was even about. (I tried hard not to know; if pressed, I'd have guessed that the big secret was that Jesus was just a day laborer, while the Christ was actually some guy named Brian. I'd have been wrong, of course.) M had read it and enjoyed it. Linda had listened to the full text of the book while on a cross-country drive. We saw the movie at the Chase in the Central West End; as we approached in the car, I pointed out the towering spire near the theatre, an antenna from some TV news van. "Wonder which station that is," I said. It turned out to be the local CBS affiliate, and as I drove past we saw that it was accompanied by vans from the local NBC and Fox stations as well. All that was missing was a van from the WB (soon to be the CW, I guess) affiliate, and that was probably because that station was located a half-block away from the theatre. Nothing like a controversial movie and a slow news day to bring out the remote crews.

We parked a block away and walked back to the theatre. The sun was shining and the clouds were scattered, and yet it began to rain. "It's a sign from above!" we exclaimed gleefully.

I expected protestors, and I guess the newsies did too. There was only one such as we entered the movie house, though I heard later that he was joined by others.

And that pretty much constitutes the highlight of this story, because the film itself was deathly dull. Even that criticism isn't fresh, as I see that Stephen Rea of the Philadelphia Inquirer used the same phrase to describe it. Flat dialogue, uninspired acting (except for Ian McKellen, by and large), strangely muted action scenes. A more suspenseful movie would have been an improvement. A more interesting presentation of the theological argument would have been preferable. The Da Vinci Code struck a disappointing middle course between those possibilities and achieved neither of them. Too bad.

The popcorn was good, though.

(So dark the cross-post of man...)