V for Vendetta vitalizes varied viewers

By Lucian Tucker
Collegian Editor
March 22, 2006

I arrived at a premiere of V for Vendetta drained and not knowing what to expect. Able to enter the theater early, I closed my eyes and let my head hang for about forty minutes while the seats around me filled with fans who scored tickets through membership in a film society, or through radio or CampusPhilly.org promotions.

Two hours and 12 minutes later, everyone walked out applauding, and undoubtedly, looking at the U.S. government and terrorism in a whole new light.

The Wachowski brothers (Andy and Larry), best known for the Matrix trilogy, managed to keep me wide awake with their action/drama about a masked vigilante known as “V” (Hugo Weaving), who believes that acts of terrorism will spark a much-needed revolution in a futuristic, totalitarian Britain.

Headed by Adam Sutler (John Hurt), a Nazi-like dictator, the government of this 2020 Britain has drastically changed its nation for the worse. It has censored all forms of media and stripped the populace of its freedoms, promising citizens security and protection from terrorism in return. In this near-future world, a nightly curfew is enforced, self-expression is nonexistent and homosexuals, minorities and Muslims are extinct.

On the eve of Guy Fawkes Night, a day celebrating one man’s attempt to blow up Parliament, the protagonist V saves a young woman by the name of Evey (Natalie Portman) from being sexually assaulted by British “Fingermen.” The incident changes the course of both their lives dramatically. V for Vendetta documents the 12 months that follow.

While the Wachowski brothers provided the witty screenplay, V for Vendetta was directed by the assistant director of the Matrix trilogy, James McTeigue. Credit is also due to Alan Moore, who wrote the graphic novel the film is based on. Moore wrote the novel in the 1980s in response to then-Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher. The Wachowski updated the novel to relate to contemporary America.

Weaving, who played Agent Smith in the Matrix trilogy, does a brilliant job acting through the mask that V wears thanks to great body language and delivery. He gives the terrorist-hero an extra boost of charisma which should immediately attract everyone to the character, whether or not they agree with his anti-establishment views. Other actors such as Portman, Hurt and Stephen Rea do a great job as well bringing out the best in the characters they play.

V for Vendetta vividly expresses intellectual and political ideas, but not without some violence for good measure. Blood spurts out of necks, swords are thrown into chests and buildings are blown up to the tune of Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture.” There are enough R-rated elements in this movie to please action movie fans, but not so much as to scare off those with weak stomachs.

The Wachowski brothers do not rely solely on action to carry the story, though. It instead rests heavily on poetic dialogue and political undertones. The result is a well balanced movie with memorable fighting sequences and thought-provoking messages.

This being said, V for Vendetta is not without its problems. The Wachowski brothers left some holes in the story which leave viewers filling in the blanks for themselves. The questions the movie poses are few in number, but pretty obvious and somewhat crucial to the story. Nevertheless, V for Vendetta is still quite enjoyable.

I find the best movies are those that leave me full of thoughts and questions about the world — movies where the art truly imitates life and opens my eyes to something to which I’d previously given little thought. V for Vendetta does just that. Those who are into politics, conspiracies, action and great screenplays should treat themselves and go see the best movie of the year thus far.

tuckerl1@lasalle.edu