Anti-fascism romp

Rating: 8/10 (26 March 2006)

This is a most enjoyable re-hash of the '1984'. One of my long time heroes, good old Guy Fawkes gets a fitting memorial - though, as a point of accuracy, he wasn't hanged, he was hanged, drawn and quartered.
The film does have some other problems with accuracy. The descent into fascism, seen in the UK, has been a major part of Phony Tony's control-freakery and the New 'error of judgement' Labour puritanism - the film, at one stage, appears to suggest that such fascism might arise out of a Conservative government, the proof is, of course, in the pudding - ID Cards, trying to get rid of trial by jury, abolishing constitutional checks, running the government with a group of low-life cronies rather than parliament etc. etc.. Still, they probably couldn't have got the funding if they'd made the truth plain!
The film echoes some scenes from Pink Floyd's 'The Wall' very well - but the music is, of course, much better. The 1812 finale is quite magnificent, a scene of great delight, the sooner life follows art in that regard the better!
It is a nicely stylistic film, also literate in its references - if a bit self-consciously so, in a sort of sixth-formish manner.
It knocks the pants of the portrayal of Capote as a piece of entertainment. Also, unlike Capote, you can hear every word, which makes a film so much less self-indulgent.
One of the humorous vignettes was Stephen Fry admitting that, well, yes, he might be a bit of a pansy if you put it that way - beautifully done!
It should be required viewing for anybody who hasn't seen the picture of the way in which New 'error of judgement' Labour has screwed the country.
Oh, yes, and the bits about dealing harshly with the ex-colonies is very funny.