|
|
  
Back Shelf Beauties
|
V For Vendetta Lots of people are talking about V For Vendetta, but those who have seen it know most of the talk is misguided and jumping to conclusions for the sake of controversy. Sure, some television talking heads and pundits who always try to insert themselves into discussions about pop culture (because we have grown tired of their tirades on politics and knee jerk simpleton party line responses to the complex issues of the day) will want to say The Wachowski Brothers (who wrote The Matrix and adapted this movie from a graphic novel) and director James McTeigue are attacking conservatism and religion, and canonizing a terrorist as a hero. In the context of V For Vendetta, that terrorist is a revolutionary in the same way Sam Adams, George Washington and anyone who threw some tea into Boston Harbor are revolutionaries, and heroes. Just watch the movie, and you'll see. Natalie Portman stars as Evey - an aspiring actress and television network employee living in a futuristic London. In the movie, years ago, people rioted and England was on the brink of anarchy, until a mysterious virus killed almost 100,000, and the Conservative Party Prime minister, Adam Sutler (John Hurt), discovered a cure and came to "the rescue" by quelling unrest with force. Now, that Prime Minister has been named an all powerful Chancellor who controls the media and enforces strict, freedom crushing rules with a Gestapo-like force. Anyone who dares to be different or speak out, much like Evey's parents, disappears. However, the people don't believe in the government, and just need someone to inspire them. On November 5, the anniversary of Guy Fawkes' 1605 attempt to blow up Parliament and kill the King in the name of religious freedom (this is the short version of the story. Those looking for more history should go to here), a cloaked man wearing a Guy Fawkes mask and calling himself V (Hugo Weaving) saves Evey from jack booted thug policemen who want to harm her, and takes her up on a roof top to watch his attempt at starting a revolution. He blows up Old Bailey, England's criminal court, then seizes control of the only television station, so he can broadcast his message. V wants the people of England to join him on the next November 5, one year from the day of these events, to rise up against tyranny and reclaim their freedom as he finishes the job Guy Fawkes could not, blowing up Parliament. Of course, he has some other plans, and a personal score to settle, too. When Evey is named as a co-conspirator, will she ever be safe again? Can she trust this terrorist/revolutionary V? Who is he? Can he start a revolution? What is his vendetta? V For Vendetta is a mesmerizing, action filled movie that appeals to the revolutionary in each of us, the kind of revolutionary we would hope to be if a Nazi state was imposed. That's the important part of the movie people need to understand going in. V, Evey and everyone living in V For Vendetta are fighting a Hitler-like figure who has crushed freedom and imposed a totalitarian state where dissent leads to death, which makes the actions of the opposition worthy of cheers rather than jeers. It's a very cool story with an amazing script from Andy and Larry Wachowski full of lyrical, flowing dialogue spoken by V as he quotes some of the great thinkers and writers of all time to inspire Evey and others to action. McTeigue clearly completes the connection to Hitler with his stark imagery including Nazi-like uniforms, a national symbol resembling a swastika, a leader giving speeches that whip the people into a frenzy, and a holocaust-like death camp where those who are imprisoned undergo torturous experiments and interrogation. The images can be frightening and unsettling, but that's the point. He captures the action very well as we watch V battle soldiers by wielding his knives, but McTeigue and the Wachowskis half-heartedly impose a love story on us late in the movie, as if Evey would fall for V after some of the horrible events of the film (you'll see what I mean). The audience gets the impression she is V's tool more than his love interest, so last minute attempts to throw that in fail. Hugo Weaving is V For Vendetta's real treat. Going into the film, I was a little hesitant to believe I would be able to hold back laughter as some guy wearing a weird looking mask spouted Shakespeare at me, but Weaving pulls it off with a flair for the dramatic and relish for the material. He grabs onto every word of his moving dialogue full of fun alliteration and captures the spirit of revolution in each inflection. Best of all, Weaving adds passion, sadness and other real emotions to a guy wearing a funny mask, while the Wachowskis give us a very good mystery about where he came from and who he might be. Portman does a wonderful job as the woman who has lost everything, and truly excels as her character is taken to the brink and emotionally shattered by what is happening around her. Meanwhile, Stephen Rea puts in a strong performance as the world weary inspector who starts to investigate V and his past. V For Vendetta is on par with any summer blockbuster you might be looking forward to this year. 3 ¾ Waffles (Out Of 4) Copyright 2006 - WaffleMovies.com
|
