Critics lukewarm, churchgoers nettled

The Hollywood Reporter’s critic, Kirk Honeycutt, complained the film ‘‘never rises to the level of a guilty pleasure. Too much guilt. Not enough pleasure.’’

While New York Times’ critic A O Scott said “the movie is one of the few screen versions of a book that may take you longer to watch then read.”

Only Lou Lumenick of the New York Post cheered, ‘‘It is the Holy Grail of summer blockbusters: a crackling, fast-moving thriller that’s every bit as brainy and irresistible as Dan Brown’s controversial bestseller.’’

BEIJING: China, in dispute with the Vatican over its appointment of bishops without papal approval, hosted a premiere of the film hours before the gala opening at Cannes. The Chinese Catholic Church has now called on all Chinese Catholics to launch an ‘‘all-round boycott’’ of the film.

MANILA: The city council of Manila on Thursday issued a resolution that bans the showing of the movie in the Philippine capital. ‘‘This is the sentiment of the city of Manila,’’ said council member Benjamin Asilo. He said the ban will take effect on Friday.

ATHENS: A local court rejected a lawsuit by Greek Orthodox groups demanding a ban on Thursday. Judge Maria Ralli accepted the distribution company’s defence that the film was not a documentary, and therefore should not give offence.

HONG KONG: A spokesman for Catholic diocese said the local church will organise a forum on Saturday to address the themes in the movie. ‘‘We believe the publicity for the film is due to religious ignorance….This is a good opportunity for education,’’ said the director of the Catholic Social Communications Office.

SYDNEY: The local Anglican Church paid to have a movie trailer produced that will show in theaters to challenge the film’s themes.

BANGKOK: Christian groups succeeded in getting the last 10 minutes of the film cut, but the censors reversed the decision after the movie’s filmmaker Columbia Pictures appealed.

ROME: The film’s lukewarm reception among critics at Cannes also brought some smiles to Opus Dei, depicted as a murderous cult in the movie. Members said laughter rippled through the screening room during a melodramatic climax.