Entertainment

Initial indications point to a let-down

02:38 PM CDT on Thursday, May 18, 2006

By CHARLES EALY / The Dallas Morning News

CANNES, France – What a bunch of overblown hooey.

That simple statement is not a dismissal of The Da Vinci Code, which premiered Wednesday night to kick off the 59th annual Cannes Film Festival. Instead, it's a comment on the secrecy, the controversy and the hoopla surrounding the official unveiling of a movie that alleges Jesus married Mary Magdalene and spawned a dynasty that the Catholic Church has sought to eliminate.

For months, the world has waited for the film adaptation of the phenomenal best-seller by Dan Brown that stars one of America's most beloved actors, Tom Hanks.

But a sampling of critical opinion along the Croisette early Wednesday revealed that few members of the press found the movie to be thrilling. And some were downright nasty.

One of the earliest reviews – in Metro, a daily Cannes newspaper – was especially harsh: "Even the Vatican is laughing, thinking what a let-down this was."

But at a news conference Wednesday afternoon, director Ron Howard waved off a question about early indications that the movie was disappointing. "I haven't read any of the reviews," he said, adding that he could probably find some that were favorable.

Whatever reception the movie ultimately receives, it's clear that Sony and Imagine, the two companies behind The Da Vinci Code, will not let any negativity spoil the party in Cannes.

In a tradition of Hollywood excess on the Riviera, the studios built a special pyramid overlooking the yachts docked at the Old Port. And late Wednesday night, the pyramid projected laser beams featuring the movie's logo into picture-perfect skies.

At the same time, every major star of The Da Vinci Code showed up for the red-carpet arrival, the news conference and the after-party.

At the news conference, leading-man Mr. Hanks repeatedly fielded questions about whether he believed Jesus had married Mary Magdalene and sired children. "I wasn't around," Mr. Hanks said tersely.

Mr. Howard then added that he would leave such questions up to audiences. "I'm not going to share my conclusion."

Courtesy

The controversial thriller opens Friday.

Still, Mr. Howard said he was attracted to the fictional story because it "stimulates conversation and imagination."

Amid the debate, there were still a few laughs.

Ian McKellen, who plays the supposed religious expert Sir Leigh Teabing, joked that he was surprised about the calls of Catholic leaders for a boycott of the movie.

"I know the Catholic Church has a problem with gay people," the British gadfly said. "I thought this would be absolute proof that Jesus was not gay."

Regarding the secrecy surrounding the movie's release, Mr. Howard tried to downplay notions of alleged cloak-and-dagger studio tactics that limited early screenings for critics.

He said there were a number of factors that converged to give the impression of secrecy, but that the main reason for late Da Vinci Code screenings was that post-production wasn't completed until "about 10 days ago," and that he didn't want the press commenting on an unfinished movie.

Mr. Howard acknowledged that some people may find the movie upsetting. But he made clear that his movie "isn't meant to offend. It's not theology." And he repeated what he told The Hollywood Reporter on Tuesday: "If anyone thinks the story is going to be upsetting, they shouldn't see it."

The opening-day brouhaha was typical for a festival that thrives on generating controversy while steadfastly insisting that it honors art over commercialism.

Some of the other movies this year at least offer hope of a few high tones among the low.

Austin director Richard Linklater brings his latest, Fast Food Nation , to Cannes on Thursday, followed by Spanish auteur Pedro Almodóvar's Volver on Friday. Buzz is also building about Sofia Coppola's costume drama Marie Antoinette, which screens May 24 – a prime spot that will leave a fresh impression on the jurors as they decide on the winner of the Palme d'Or on May 28.

While some discuss the artistic prospects, of course, others will stroll down the city's boulevards, gawking at the racy posters, the topless female sunbathers and the inevitable, tasteless guerrilla theater of sleazy movie companies on the make.

Not that there's anything wrong with that. Especially in Cannes.

E-mail cealy@dallasnews.com