"That's a nice-a donut."

Tuesday, March 21, 2006

V for Vendetta (2006)

Alan Moore's acclaimed comic book mini-series V for Vendetta was written back in the 1980s as sort of a sweeping manifesto against Fascism and the excess of government and was aimed towards the British government of then-Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. But released today, in an age of great political polarity in the United States, the story and plot are more relevant than ever today. It has finally been adapted for the big screen, with the fingerprints of Matrix creators the Wachowski brothers all over it, and officially directed by James McTeigue in his first head role. It is twenty years in the future and the (former) United States have become a "leper colony" and are engaged in Civil War. But that is just a footnote to this British story in which terroristic fear-mongering rules the day and hard questions are posed: can one man's terrorist be another man's patriot and savior?

A young woman named Evey (Natalie Portman) is just another helpless person lost in the regime of an all-too-powerful government. Dissent is not tolerated and freedom isn't quite so free. Out one night after curfew Evey comes across a mysterious masked man, V (played exclusively behind the mask by Hugo Weaving). He saves her from a couple hard-nosed cops but quickly frightens her by blowing up a nearby London building in the middle of the night, with her right by his side. Video cameras have captured the pair together, and she is quickly a wanted person too, with government inspector Finch (Stephen Rea) close behind. V is fighting in the name of Guy Fawkes, a man who was hung on November 5, 1605 (Back to the Future?) for intending to blow up Parliament and overthrow the government. So while V tries to rally the country together and to awaken it from the tyranny and oppression, Evey must not only fight to stay free, but must come to terms with what she believes in as well. Things end in a shattering conclusion that blurs the black and white world.

In this age of such cynicism, it is hard to believe that many individuals (such as Evey) or, for that matter, an entire nation could get caught up in such a revolution. (Anarchy in the UK? Unlikely.) Some scenes and subplots are too convenient and require a good deal of suspension of belief, such as the mailing of hundreds of thousands of V masks to London citizens. Setting aside the logistical problems that might pose, are we really to believe that a government that has people imprisoned (and often killed) simply for being homosexual would not have a far greater control over the mail stream?

And what about all of the lofty Shakespearean aspirations from the beginning parts of the movie? That seems to forgotten and ignored after a short time. That being said, it is still a very fun movie. With three different protagonists at any given time (V, Evey, and inspector Finch) some viewers or some filmmakers could easily lose their way, but McTeigue and the Wachowskis keep us on track and manage to make each of the three tracks exciting and enduring. It also certainly helps that the visuals are excellent; the mask of V is sure to leave a lasting impression in viewer's minds and likely will be a hit this coming Halloween. Of course it helps that Weaving is so confident and charismatic, and his voice and mannerisms are just right for the role of his vigilante. Portman is also very good, but I would have liked to feel more and see more of her inner turmoil with regards to her mindset and transformation.

The paranoia and government tolitarian power in V for Vendetta call to mind other futuristic classics such as Gilliam's Brazil or Orwell's 1984. It could very well be one of those films that grow on you over time, but after an initial viewing, I was pleased but not quite satisfied. One thing I might have done differently would be treat V as more of an enigma, perhaps following the path of the comic a little closer, and less clearly defined. Still, a solid movie that refreshingly makes you think - something that is usually missing from big budget fare.

The Verdict: B-.

Michael Bentley 11:58 AM

"That's a nice-a donut."

Tuesday, March 21, 2006

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