This is the stuff of revolution!

Rating: Null/10 (11 April 2006)

I have watched this compelling movie twice. I wonder if the Americans will understand the deeply politicized dialogue, good-ol' European anarchism and healthy skepticism about the longevity of freedom (not long, it seems - echoes of 1984 ring through the movie).
I love the actor-turned-anarchist-revolutionary concept. How charming to have a masked avenger with perfect diction and free-flowing Shakespearian verses blow up half of London to classical music. Absolutely brilliant!! This film is deeply ideological and unapologetic about it -- "ideas are bulletproof", as V said. They can kill us, but the political ideas will continue to challenge those in power. It spoke to me and I cried intermittently during the movie -- not from sadness but from grateful disbelief that in this era of supreme apathy, we can have a film which embraces political ideologies so proudly. This is a timely reminder that People Power is the foundation of Democracy, which gives us the best chance to achieve some degree of justice in society. This film reminds of the power that politicians have convinced you that you do not have. It reminds you that resistance, revolution, are not anachronistic words that were buried with the death of Communism. The ability to use ideas to change politics is the responsibility of all citizens.
Through it all the film has a self-conscious absurdity which is rather British too. People who watch it without considering the complex ideologies at play within the film might laugh it off as violent fun. There are too many Eveys around who have conveniently forgotten what it means to resist.
I must find the clip of V's broadcast which was very inspiring (at least for me). This is the stuff of revolution!