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"Remember,
Remember, the 5th of
November!" |
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Directed by James
McTeigue - Written by
The Wachowski Brothers
Starring Natalie
Portman, Hugo Weaving,
Stephen Fry
Distributed by Warner
Bros. - 2006 - 132m -
Rated PG13 |
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"Beneath this mask there is more than flesh. There is an idea, and
ideas are bullet-proof." |
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This film is flexible.
No, perhaps the word is versatile. "V for Vendetta" just may be the
one film from 2006 that has the most varied interpretations, the one
film that will stir more thought and debate than any other. It is so
much more than the typical comic-book / graphic-novel big screen
adaptations that over-populate the cineplexes and rental chain
shelves. This one has ideas... Pertinent and timely ideas written by
and for a complex mind.
"V for Vendetta" was on a short-list of about two-dozen films that I
was most excited to see in this calendar year. In any given year, I am
delighted when half of those anticipated hopefuls turn out to be
cinematic gems. This is one of those to treasure. It is thrilling...
entertaining while it offers new avenues of thought. It keeps the
engine in constant motion while still delivering dialogue that waxes
poetic about the nature of government, art, revolution, rebellion,
fear, terror, war, trust & courage.
"People should not be
afraid of their governments, governments should be afraid of their
people."
I must admit that, going in, I wasn't sure that this film was going to
live up to its lofty goals and incredible advanced buzz. I mean, how
often does any film deliver on such... let alone one with a lead
character sporting a mask? Somehow though, "V" compels us to compare,
to judge and to answer the questions it poses. And it does it with a
flare and grandeur that will make you edge closer to the screen, if
only to immerse yourself further.
The film is hard to describe with a standard plot recap. The film and
the characters evolve, constantly changing the starting line... So
where to begin?
V (Hugo Weaving) is the codename for a masked and cloaked man hell-bent
on being noticed by the people and by the government. He practices
vigilante justice, whether rescuing a damsel in distress on the future
streets of London, blowing up a governmental building, or killing off
those who wronged him in the past. Depending on your point of view, he
is either a revolutionary or a terrorist.
Evey (Natalie Portman) is said damsel in distress, rescued by V when
she breaks curfew and runs into an unseemly band of law enforcement
agents. The two of them are bound together by circumstance and ideas.
There is an undeniable connection of fate between the two.
"Fear became the
ultimate tool of this government."
The plot is counting down to "Remember, remember, the 5th of
November", a reference to Guy Fawkes' attempt to blow up the houses of
parliament some 400 years earlier. On the next anniversary of that
date, V has vowed to exact his vengeance by finishing the act thwarted
all that time ago.
The overpowering government rouses into motion its police state
tactics to seek out this man before his plan can take root in the
consciousness of the people.
The similarities and references to our time, our government and our
current world climate will not go unnoticed by any but the thickest
dullards. It is quite obvious why this film is being made now. There
are clearly messages to be heard here. Some may say the graphic novel
could not have been about that, as it was written solely with
references to the Nazi party... and was merely forewarning of the
dangers imposed by 'Thatcherism' and the like.
That may be true. But this film was made and released at this time
with direct references to the war in Iraq, the hideous nature of the
Patriot Act, the torture and murder of civilians, the hunger for power
and control by the use of fear, the idea that government may not
always be on our side... all of these themes and many others point an
accusing finger directly at you know who.
There is only one performance in the film that I'd like to
highlight... that of Natalie Portman. The rest of the cast is
adequate. V's is hard to judge because of the mask, although Weaving
is tremendous at delivering the lines with conviction. I mentioned
earlier in the review that there was a short-list of films in 2006
that most intrigued me. That list includes 4 films starring Portman,
who has overcome the rather embarrassing inclusion in the
disappointing Star Wars debacles to emerge clean on the other side
with a sublime résumé for any actress, let alone a 24 year-old one.
The four films she has coming out this year are "Goya's Ghosts",
"Paris, je t'aime", "Free Zone" and, of course, "V for Vendetta". I
urge you all to seek those films out because she has already proven to
me that she can command the screen with emotion so raw and intense
that it never fails to transpose itself to me in the audience.
In this film, despite bouncing back and forth with the English accent,
from lower-class yob to upper-class royalty, she is able to become the
sympathetic vehicle the audience needs in order to undergo the same
transformation that Evey experiences. The best lines in the film are
delivered by Hugo Weaving's V... the best reactions and emotions are
delivered by this simply brilliant young actress. There are less than
a dozen actors or directors whose films I refuse to miss on opening
day. Portman has earned her way onto that list.
The Wachowski brothers (Matrix 1,2,3) have produced a fine film here,
one that will merit all the conversations heard as the closing credits
roll. They have redeemed themselves from the obscene disappointment of
the "Matrix" sequels, which seemed to land on audience eyes with a
dull thud. However "V for Vendetta" is a gorgeous example of the
possibility of their talent. Director James McTeigue has taken their
vision and crafted a fine first feature.
This film is about ideas. Granted, they aren't new ideas, but they are
ideas that we need reminding of in times like these. Like the lead
characters in the film, I have hope that enough people will eventually
grasp on to those ideas and make the changes necessary in order for us
to shed our fear, seek out the truth and reclaim the freedom to choose
our own destiny.
"Remember, Remember,
the 11th of September!" |
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© Written by TC Candler -
Email Me! |
Richard
Propes' Comment
This is
one of THOSE films. It's the type of film that
intellectuals adore while dismissing those who
don't adore it as simply not "getting it." First
off, how can you not get it? It's painfully,
freakingly obvious. I love the Wachowski
Brothers, but I sure wish they'd resolve their
childhood issues so we can move on out of the
realm of political psycho-babble crossed with
enough internal conflicts to fill years of
therapy sessions. This film is entertaining, and
Portman, Weaving and Hurt all do an admirable
job. The script? It disguises itself as an
intellectual political discourse, when it is
really just another round of therapy for the
Wachowski's. They seem to want us to root for
the "good guys," who are really no better than
the "bad guys." Quite honestly, the closing
scenes had me laughing at their overwrought
dramatics.
Jacob
Hall's Comment
Unlike
most people who will probably view “V For
Vendetta,” I am familiar with the source
material: a graphic novel drawn by David Lloyd
and written the brilliant Alan Moore. Moore
refused to be involved here and had his name
taken off of the project because of the way
Hollywood has treated his past projects (such as
the absolute bastardization of “The League of
Extraordinary Gentlemen”).
Fans of Moore and “V” do not fear…this is not
only a good adaptation of a seemingly
inadaptable book, but it’s an excellent film on
it’s own merits.
I will not give any plot summary. Either you’ll
know what to expect or you won’t and I don’t
want to change that. I will, however, tell you
why “V For Vendetta” is the first genuinely
fantastic film of 2006.
Unlike so many “political” films, “V For
Vendetta” actually says something. Although it
was written as a response to Thatcher’s England,
it works as a frightening parable for our modern
world. This film has the cojones to point out
that today’s terrorist is tomorrow’s patriot.
What were the American revolutionaries? They
attacked the British with hit and run tactics,
used their familiarity with the land to blend in
and overthrew the country that owned them,
undoubtedly killing many who were not to blame
for the sake of a bigger cause. That’s
terrorism.
I’m not a bleeding heart liberal, and I
certainly am not in support of many of the
actions committed by the story’s hero, V (Hugo
Weaving), but I do understand what he is saying.
We cannot let our freedoms be taken away. We
cannot let fear rule our lives. We cannot sit
around as the world worsens. We must take a
stand to protect what is dear to us.
There is one scene in particular that almost
moved me to tears. A television personality in
the totalitarian world of the film creates a
comedic television piece that skewers the
establishment. This scene is not in the graphic
novel, but the power that this scene creates is
incredible. We are witnessing a world that has
not scene satire in God knows how long. As a
writer or comedy myself, I was deeply moved.
V stands for individuality and
freedom…preservation of art and culture…and most
of all, he stands for the principal that an idea
is, in his worlds, “bulletproof.”
Politics beside, “V For Vendetta” is a rousing
action spectacle with a pace so fast you can
never catch your breath. Weaving, despite being
hidden behind a mask for the entire movie, gives
a fantastic performance. His home, the Shadow
Gallery, is a wonder of production design.
Natalie Portman continues to shake off the “Star
Wars” films and gives a beautiful turn. Even
Stephen Rea and Stephen Fry, in roles that could
have been fluff, are great.
As one who appreciated the “Matrix” sequels, I
cannot say that the Wachowski brothers have
redeemed themselves, but I will say that they
have added another fine film to their resume by
writing and producing. James McTeigue, in his
directorial debut, never falters.
“V For Vendetta” is an exciting and engaging
film that will piss off close-minded
conservatives, bring joy to bleeding hearts and
make those in the center think for a long time.
What is freedom? What is a patriot? Is a
revolution through anarchy a solution? All of
these and more await you after “V For Vendetta.”
*I’ll take this moment to address those who have
read the comic. Is it completely accurate? No.
There have been many massive changes, many of
them for better and a few of them for worse.
However, I kindly ask that you do not behave
like 12 year old fanboys and pee your pants
every time things aren’t exactly as you read
them. This films actually works and makes
Moore’s work look classy. Remember “LXG?” Yeah.
If this is successful, expect a “Watchmen”
adaptation soon. You know you want it.
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