Vendetta, Another Hollywood Hissy Fit

Rating: 1/10 (27 March 2006)

I did not know much about "V for Vendetta" until I saw it. I had seen the trailer once before and had completely forgotten about it. When looking at the South By Southwest Film Festival Schedule, I saw it as the main premiere for the night. I figured I'd check it out, after all even if the film is bad, at least you get to look at Nathalie Portman for 2 hours.
As the film began, it was plain to see that it had an agenda. One not so surprising from the west coast. I had been raped by Hollywood once again. The film's whole "vendetta" was a direct attack on Americans and conservatives. Another hissy fit from the Hollywood elite. The film likens our current government to the fascist totalitarianism of Hitler and other dictators. The film is set out to make Americans look stupid, and acts on the presumptions that the entire public agrees with these views. "Vendetta" tries to justify terrorism, and ridiculously attempts to demonize those who don't tolerate homosexuality and the hateful writings that make up the Koran. One scene specifically comes to mind when a lesbian daughter is confronting her parents about her lifestyle choice. The parents yell and cry, and as the daughter leaves the father throws her baby picture in the garbage. The attacks are painfully obvious, and as one of the 50 million+ Americans who elected our president, I cannot see how this film is supposed to be representative of the public's sentiments. The film makes it seem as if all citizens think their rights and freedoms are being violated, yet the majority doesn't. The filmmakers really think they are taking on a noble cause and speaking for the people. Yet they have failed to connect with their audience once again. The film's supporters will only be those that were in their camp to begin with.
One fun thing about screening this film at a film festival in Austin was to be able to play with the crowd, the so called "individualists". There were about 1500 clones in the audience at The Paramount for the film's debut, and all of them were followers. There is a famous line in the film by the terrorist V where he says "People should not be afraid of their governments, governments should be afraid of their people..." a statement any patriotic, freedom-loving American wholeheartedly agrees with, an ironically liberals want more government. The funny thing is how all the Austinites clapped in unison, but yet again for the losing side, as though this were some kind of new revolutionary statement. As the claps died out I cried out "but I'm not afraid of my government!" And continued to be the dissenting heckler until the end.
As I walked out I made it very clear that there was at least one person in Austin that did not blindly accept the messages put out by this film. From a film and story stand point the film is so painfully predictable and preachy. The funniest thing is that so many people are taking this film seriously when it is an adaptation of a comic book... from the matrix guys! "V for Vendetta" is just another example of how out of touch Hollywood is with their audience.