Very victorious!

Rating: 10/10 (20 November 2006)

Have you been forced to watch a film you didn't want to? And found it had a tremendous impact on your life. I had that experience with V For Vendetta. I try not to prejudge films. I firmly believe you can't know one unless you actually sit down and watch it. But occasionally I don't want to see a film because I'm sure it won't be any good. And was proved wrong. It happened with Collateral. And Sky Captain. Both films that have become firm favourites of mine. And now V For Vendetta.
V For Vendetta is a film with more resonance for a British audience, because it addresses the events of November 5th. Guy Fawkes tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament in 1605. Every year people all over England set off fireworks and build bonfires to commemorate the event. Although a more honest reason would be because they like to see fireworks. I don't think the schoolchildren of today are really that interested in Guy Fawkes. They probably don't even know who he is.
But after watching V For Vendetta, there may be a lot of people with a newfound appreciation for the 5th November. I know I do. Based on the graphic novel by Alan Moore, V For Vendetta is set in the near future. 20 years from now. Britain is controlled by a totalitarian government, led by the tyrannical Chancellor Sutler (John Hurt in full power mad mode). Personal freedoms are no longer a choice. Everything is under Sutler's strict control. Including the media. Education. Everything.
Evey Hammond (Natalie Portman) works for the British Television Network. She was the daughter of parents who spoke out against the iron fist of Sutler. Eventually they were captured and executed for being enemies of the state. Evey didn't have the courage to stand up to the government, and is prepared to work for a network that spreads the lies of Sutler if it means keeping her safe. Still, she's not completely under their thumb. She is prepared to break curfew (yes there are curfews in the future). And when she is caught after hours, she is set upon by the FingerMen, hired thugs who keep order.
Evey is rescued by V (a marvellous performance from Hugo Weaving). A self appointed defender of human freedoms, the masked V takes Evey under his wing. V wishes to break the oppression of the government. And to prove his point, he blows up the Old Bailey on November 5th. Despite Sutler's attempts to fool people into believing the Old Bailey's destruction was simple demolition, V hijacks the network, and makes a statement. A year from now, he will finish what Guy Fawkes started 400 years ago. He will destroy the Houses of Parliament, shatter the old world order, and make way for a new one.
V For Vendetta is certainly an ambitious film. Although the action is confined to Britain, it makes a few pointed barbs that reflect upon the politics of today. Like Bush and Tony Blair's attempts to intervene in Iraq, and inciting a conflict for weapons of mass destruction that were never found. V is a freedom fighter. Or a terrorist. It depends on your viewpoint. But he clearly believes in his cause if it means fighting for a better tomorrow.
Although the idea of a dystopian future isn't a new conceit, V For Vendetta is clever the way it portrays 2020 as not too futuristic, but not too contemporary either. About 50 years ago, everyone assumed by 2000 we'd be living in colonies on the Moon, flying hover-cars and robots would be our servants. Of course since we haven't accomplished any of those things, V For Vendetta is careful of its interpretation of the future. One example is the big screens Sutler appears on when addressing his minions, but we still have families in front of regular TVs at home.
Hugo Weaving gives an outstanding performance as V. We never see his face, but his voice alone is more than enough to carry the courage of his convictions. His relationship with Natalie Portman is nicely explored in a Beauty and the Beast/Phantom of the Opera sort of way. V gets a lot of great speeches about how we the people have lost our way, and allow ourselves to be cowed by an oppressive government. There is a certain amount of ambiguity to his character. Is he a hero? A terrorist? Or is he the monster throughout all this? Some of his scenes are amusing too. Like the sight of him in an apron making breakfast for Evey. Or the two of them watching The Count of Monte Cristo. His favourite film.
Natalie Portman is OK. Her British accent tends to wander. But she is quite watchable. The scenes where she is seemingly thrown into prison, tortured, interrogated, and corresponds with a cell-mate who was incarcerated for being a lesbian are heart-wrenching. The camera-work creates an oppressive atmosphere, and when it turns out to have been a test of loyalty to V, we really feel her sense of betrayal. The scene where she stands in the rain relishing her freedom is very uplifting. It reminded me of The Shawshank Redemption.
As time ticks away to November 5th, there is something extremely liberating as V awakens the civic pride of the people. I really came to commend their bravery. Like Stephen Fry's character. A TV exec who's a closet homosexual. But inspired by V, he stages a live televised spoof that attacks Sutler's principles. And pays the price for his heroism.
The final 25 minutes are fantastic. The icing on the cake. The Houses of Parliament and Big Ben being destroyed to the sound of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture are very exhilarating. That may be an odd attitude to have, but it never fails to lift my spirits. Obliterating a corrupt today for a freer tomorrow.
Marvellous. Pure and simple.