V not for Vision

Rating: 8/10 (21 March 2006)

Homage to 17th century British anarchist Guy Fawkes is not the most obvious role model for the protagonist in "V for Vendetta". This is one of the surprising choices in Andy and Larry Wachowski's screenplay "V for Vendetta"-- their much awaited motion picture project since the Matrix trilogy. This time around they delegated directing duties to James McTeiguean unfamiliar name. Set in future, perhaps 25 years or so, England is a fascist State lead by Dictator Adam Sutler (John Hurt). Apparently the result of world war and economic collapse, Sutler rules England through a futuristic Reign of Terror. "V" ambitiously asks us to distinguish between nihilist, anarchist, and patriotwhich may really be a matter of point of view or locality. The Wachowski Brothers aim to make a movie about ideas and the notion that the lines between terrorism and patriotism are often blurred. However, this conceit is not entirely original. Philosopher Will Durant said of originality, "Nothing is new except arrangement."
At best "V" is a vengeance tale about a wronged man seeking to right a grave and personal injustice. It is an action movie of sorts that is spectacular to observe. Hugo Weaving plays the masked hero V, who like Fawkes plans on blowing up Parliament. V possesses great warrior prowess, strength, and reflexes which is explained through the narrative. V is also prone to quote Shakespeare. He is a tragic man who has suffered gravely, and has lost everything that he holds dear. He tells Evey (Natalie Portman), "You wear the mask long enough; you forget who you were" Weaving does an admirable job given he is masked throughout the entire movie. There is great power and sadness in his words. However, "V for Vendetta" falls short for its hero's compromise of his own humanity. Ultimately, V's quest for vengeance is sympathetic, but does not inspire. Redemption is lost even with Director McTeigue's grand finale.
Natalie Portman plays Evey, who works at the government controlled Broadcast Network. V rescues Evey from would-be rapists in the dangerous London streets. Evey and V have a compelling affinity. Stephen Rea plays Finch the detective assigned to track down V, who uncovers the relationship between Evey and V. Conspiracy abounds in "V for Vendetta". Natalie Portman is very good as Evey. We learn that Evey's parents were political activists who met their demise. Portman is convincing as a young woman discovering her own greatness and power. Portman's Evey is the crucial humanizing aspect of Weaving's V. Though as written by the Wachowski Brothers this is woefully insufficient. Andy and Larry Wachowski should be allowed to coast on their "Matrix" laurels. Like "The Matrix" sequel misfires, "V" sets a captivating premise-- in this case the nature of terrorism versus patriotism; however, the conclusion is unclear and not very satisfying. In the end "V" is more sadly tragic, than classically heroic.