The role of coincidence

Rating: 9/10 (22 March 2006)

***Somehwat Mild Spoilers*** After a second viewing of V4V, I noticed that the role of coincidence play a prevalent part throughout the film, and does so in many different ways. The opening scene itself shows Evey and V preparing for an evening at the very same time, while the "Voice of London" rants away in the background. But this is just the beginning. There are more obvious coincidences such as her name "EV", as well as the very fortunate coincidence of Evey being a gopher at the BTN. Also among the more obvious are the coincidences in the two mornings when Evey awakes at V's place, and when she awakes at Steven Fry's place (the egg, the music, even the similarities in some of their mannerisms).
However, if you look closely, I believe there are other smaller coincidences as well. I think many of the various characters are drinking Johnny Walker Red. If I'm not mistaken, I think three different scenes open up with the pouring of that particular brand of scotch; Evey and Steven Fry's first evening together after she escapes V, Prothero's shower scene, Inspector Finch pondering the horrors of the past. Then there's the fact that John Hurt's character, a Big Brother-ish dictator just happened to play the Winston Smith character in the film 1984, the logo for which also happens to sport a large V.
Granted, none of these are really coincidences, they are merely planned events portraying coincidences. One might discount these coincidences as being contrived illusions; mere plot vehicles vivified for the sake of our entertainment. "Aren't these just realities hidden behind a mask?" you ask? But if you still question the validity of my vision, then I hope to vindicate my verdict by ask you to recall V's voraciously verbose opening monologue.
"I'm merely remarking upon the paradox of asking a masked man who he is."