V for Vendetta - movie review

OMG!! If I say that V for Vendetta blew my mind I would not be exaggerating. And although part of me feels that maybe I am too easily fooled I will stand by my point-of-view that the film is one of the best I've seen in a long time. It is hard to nail down exactly what makes the film so impressive as the discussion turns into a cacophony of competing elements. Really, it is through the integration of visual, mental and verbal strengths that makes V a worthy letter.

The film starts from solid source material. Adapted from a graphic novel of the 80s and written for the screen by the guys who gave us The Matrix, Vendetta is [to quote Greg] "Shakespearean" in its timeliness. The film opens with a historical account of Guy Fawkes' attempted destruction of British parliament in 1605 and sets the stage for both the leading character's identity and the film's themes of rebellion, civil disobedience, and the nature of citizenship. If that sounds a litte heady for an action film - it is. But that is what makes Vendetta a valuable experience. Asking more questions then it offer answers, V pulls the audience directly into the dilemma of how to have a voice in this world. And it's done with intelligence and flair.

It is no surprise to cynics out there that Vendetta takes place in Britain. It is hard to imagine the film taking place in America when one of the central themes is blowing up the government (only aliens can do that in the USA!) as an act of freedom. Vendetta is clearly influenced by Orwell, Huxley and Vonnegut (all favourites of mine) among others and builds a story about losing fear in the face of oppression. Evie (Natalie Portman) serves as the audience's mirror in the film as she walks the path to confront and overcome fear. The film articulates how a fear of death is propped up by faith, wealth and power. Uncertainty or lack of control in any of these areas leads to increased fear for the individual. In orgainzational terms these three pillars are the church, the market, and the government and when all three have conspired in concert they can work against, rather than for, the people. Vendetta is about such a conspiracy.

As the movie progresses, the villiany of society systems is exposed in many ways. Further, the complicitness of citizens in building their own cages is clearly expressed. No cow is sacred. The military, industries, government, pharmaceuticals, nuclear power, torture, television, violence, intolerance and chaos all dot the canvass of Vendetta's visuals. These images are positioned against the concepts of love, freedom and justice to generate an ethical and values debate that requires more than one conversation to digest. And as the film pulls in references and images and quotes from throughout human history you cannot help but feel moved. (Admittedly, I cried in the closing minutes.)

In the end, the film will leave an impression on any viewer. I was tickled by the wonderful dialogue (V's opening alliterative monologue in particular), dazzled by the deliberate staging, and mesmerized by the mind-bending connections. As a lover of words, Vendetta is a satisfying testament to their power. One line states that "artists use lies to tell the truth" - the makers of Vendetta have taken this comment to heart by acknowledging the falseness of film as a medium to expose the realities of our world. In the end, V's quest is not of vengeance but of voice. It is about being active rather than passive. It is about reminding the system that it serves us. And as a tide of Guy Fawkeses stormed the parliament I couldn't help but wonder if I would have been one of them. A film that makes me question the strength of my beliefs? Yeah - that's a Very good one.