>>>>I find it rather intersting that the Vatican is trying to get people to boycott this movie.
>>>> ...
>>>
>>>I was wondering about this myself. I haven't seen the movie, nor the book, and I am not very interested. But from what I heard, it seems that (according to the story) someone uncovers a secret plot by the Vatican, to cover the "real story", namely, that Jesus survived, and had descendants. Now, if I understood this plot part correctly, I see three potential problems for the Church.
>>>

The claim that they are behind some sort of cover-up.
>>>

The idea that Jesus survived. He was supposed to have died for our sins.
>>>

And, finally, the idea that He had children - it seems that this goes against the ideas of some people about "purity".
>>
>>It's just a movie, not a documentary. I think everyone is overreacting.
>
>Something extraordinarily BIG is happening surrounding this movie.
>Some marketing machine somewhere is going full tilt, likely aiming to beat Titanic for ultimate box-office.
>
>Why do I say this... even local TV stations are advertising "Thursday, live from Paris (or the Vatican or ???)" with their own personalities. In these days of tight budgets that's unbelievable to me unless the marketing is offering nice inducements for doing so.

It's neither surprising nor ominous that there is a big marketing push behind the movie, given that the book has sold 40 million copies and counting. With such a large built-in audience and an A list lead in Tom Hanks, I am surprised that they are spending as much as they are. But they know their business better than I do. It seems like they are hoping for a blow-the-doors-off blockbuster in the $300M plus range to get the summer season off to a rousing start.

Prediction: Audrey Tautou is about to become a big movie star. She is not that well known to American moviegoers -- not yet. For a great rental, check out "Amelie" or "Happenstance", both of which have charm, style, and humor to burn. Not only is she gorgeous, she is immensely likeable. Think Audrey Hepburn. I saw an interview with her a few months ago in which she was asked what American directors she would like to work with. She said "Steven Spielberg, but what would he care about a little French fry like me?" Pure charm.