Andrew McMurtry
REVIEW: V For Vendetta (2006)
July 3rd 2009 07:52
“V for Vendetta” is a film, looking at a very Orwellian view of the near future. It could be a warning like “1984” was from Orwell. Either way it is a fine movie. It mixes political intrigue, a detective story, a maverick revolutionary who lives underground and some mighty fine fighting scenes and explosions. It was created by the same team that created the “Matrix”, which is why the action is actually clear and you can tell what is going on in the fight scenes, which is the downside of so many other action movies. The story, which comes from a limited edition comic series of the 1980’s, follows V, a masked inciter of the people to overthrow the government.
Set in 2020, the London society is controlled completely by the government. Curfews and oppressive food and water rationing are the norm and the government pushes the price up whenever they see fit. The 1984-esque London also has a Nazi-like Secret police service taking out any and all who speak out against the government. After dark, the streets are open to Fingermen, basically gangs of men who take the law into their own hands, even if this means rape and murder of those who are out after curfew. One night, our heroine, a young woman named Evey (Natalie Portman) is saved by V (Hugo Weaving), the masked revolutionary in a Guy Fawkes mask trying to change London for the better. After an explosive meeting, Evey’s interest is spiked. The next day, while at her job at a TV station, V hijacks the signal, sending his message of revolution over the city, one year from that day. While escaping, he is saved by Evey and an unlikely friendship is formed. What follows next are the murders of several high powered people by V in the lead up to the great day of revolution. While V carries out his carefully laid plans, Inspector Finch (Stephen Rea) tries desperately to find out why and what the link is before he reaches the 5th of November and the end of the oppressive totalitarian government.
The acting in this film is quite good. With a relatively dense script, it is a remarkably easy film to watch. Hugo Weaving is great as V. While seemingly a madman on the rampage, looking to cause anarchy and chaos wherever he goes, there is a deeper reason for his violence. He appears to have a penchant for killing those inspiring the people to blindly follow their leaders, there is more to it. He is a character that is multilayered, and difficult to judge on face value. Natalie Portman plays the role of Evey, V’s initially unwitting accomplice, beautifully. While it seems like fate to V that he should come across a girl all too perfectly named Evey, Evey is held back by her morals and does what she believes is right. V realises he has to make her realise her potential for her to reach her destiny. It has to be difficult to play a character that is terrified and yet so intrigued at the same time. Stephen Rea as Inspector Finch is another great character. He plays a dedicated detective, trying to finding out what is going on. But as the film goes on, it appeared as though he wasn’t sure what side he should be on as he begins to realise what is going to happen. There are also several other great cameo’s, including Stephen Fry as Gordon Deitrich who is a television satirist and one of Evey’s only friends, or at least the only one she can trust; John Hurt as the Adam Sutler, the evil head of the government; and Tim Pigott-Smith as the villainous Mr Creedy, whose ambition is only exceeded by his wickedness.
It alludes to some great elements popular culture like the Count of Monte Cristo, Benny Hill and Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture as well as excerpts from speeches from people such as Malcolm X. It uses a very refreshingly well written and intelligent script. The use of symbols also shows the society. It isn’t quite as dystopic as 1984 but it is a view of what will happen if we allow symbols to control us, like, advertising. The script is interesting and keeps you involved in the story and has a point, unlike so many other films released in today’s film culture. It’s refreshing to watch a movie and enjoy it and actually feel like it isn’t speaking down as if it expects its audience to be stupid. This movie uses shot selection and camera movement are really good too. It keeps the flow of the film really well. The way it was shot, especially in the action scenes meant all the action was clear and coherent and it wasn’t flickery or hard to watch like in so many other films. While the ending may not be a huge twist, and some may see it coming, the build-up to the ending is very well done.
It is a beautifully constructed film. The message, the plot, the whole movie is wonderfully done. And it looks great, and is well acted. While the story builds steadily towards the climax and the realisation of V’s master plan, the tension builds until it explodes in a wonderful finale. Whether it’s glorifying a terrorist act, as many people have criticised the movie with doing, is up to you. It’s a film that, while it has quite a bit of action, uses its script better than most others. It is a movie that looks at the democratic right of the people. That we have a right to be heard. That we can’t afford to blindly listen to those in charge. We have to talk about government and criticise them or eventually we won’t have that choice. And it only takes one person to lead the masses. I'd give this film 4.5 out of 5 stars.
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