Go buy the DVD, now!!

Brittney Werts

 

James McTeigue‘s 2005 film “V for Vendetta” staring Hugo Weaving and Natalie Portman tries to bring Alan Moore’s comic book character to the big screen. Though his ideas come together well in one hundred thirty two minutes, they maybe a bit too much for your typical movie goer to absorb in such a short period of time. However, I feel it is a must-see movie for all Americans, not just because of its action and amazing plot twist, but for the symbolic undertones and call for change.

 

The film traces V’s rise to power as he puts together his plan to change the state of his country. Several events force V and Natalie Portman’s character, Evey, together. Throughout the film you see his skill of manipulation and how he grooms her to be his successor to carry on his ideas.

 

Through the course of the film we get a closer idea of who V really is. Though we never find out his true identity, the back drop of the film reveals how V became the “humble vaudevillian veteran, cast vicariously as both victim and villain by the vicissitudes of Fate.” The more and more we uncover, we see just how the nation came upon its chaotic state and our curiosity behind V’s motives are satisfied. Through the myriad of events-the blowing up of buildings, kidnapping, shooting, stabbing, biological experimentation and vicious harangues from a hostile Hitleresque leader, we too are drawn into the movie. Perhaps this movie is more entertaining than I led you to believe, but I’ll let you be the judge.

 

I will tell you however, that the movie serves well as an ingenious and masterfully woven quilt of social commentary. From the social issue of the fear of homosexuals, to the political issues of government leaders abusing their power and even biological research on human beings, the film causes us to question the current and possible future state of our nation. In the opening dialogue from on England’s BTN news anchors Prothero, he mentions that “the former United States” has in his eyes become “Ulcered Sphincter of Arse-erica.” You immediately want to ask yourself, “how did we get to such a state?” I feel that McTeigue is deliberately making a warning to us. The events depicted in V for Vendetta, mirror those of a post 9/11 United States and are a possible omen.

 

The theme that the media plays a major role as a mass influencer is clearly seen in the film. The fact that there is only one news station shows that there is no objectivity. The station is “coincidentally” run by Dascomb, one of Chancellor Adam Sutler’s minions, this shows how the government plays an even bigger role in what the masses can and can’t know.  With his quote “our job is to report the news, not fabricate it… that’s the government’s job,” Dascomb is illustrating this theme even further.

 

            Another theme that is displayed well in the film is that nothing is a coincidence. As the plot unfolds before us, we see just how each and every character is connected. We also see how, the story, given the social troubles and woes, could happen, just about anywhere. During their initial meeting V states that he, like God doesn’t “play with dice and doesn’t believe in coincidences.” The dialogue in the movie is a little stressed as it goes on further to use the word “coincidence”.  As the story of V’s life is finally coming together, the officer, Dominic even goes so far as to say that the “coincidences are making him sick”, at this point in the movie I was quite frankly sick of them too. However, visually the film makes up for it with a scene on the eve of V’s big night where, with the symbolic help of red and black dominioes in the shape of a “V”, we see the connection of each us and how together we can reach a goal.

 

            Another theme in the film is that change comes through violence. Whether you totally agree or disagree with this thought,  McTeigue emphasis is clearly shown through the film. He does acknowledge that there maybe some people who disagree, so he tries to gain sympathy on V’s behalf, by telling us that V’s motives are partialy in rememberance of Vallerie. By using an innocent woman who wanted nothing more but want to be with her lover, as a motivation, it is clearly a ploy to gain sympathy. However, McTeigue is unappoligeitc about the violent ends V goes to, to reach change. He even opts to justify them with a voice over from Malcom X during the ending credits that talks about using violence in self-defense.  That’s what V’s character lived for; defending himself against a harsh and oppressor government.

 

            The theme of governmental manipulation was also played out well in the film. McTeigue chose to show us, the possible negative events they may come into play in America,  if we don’t do something about the government. Censorship, invasion of privacy, and fear tactics were heavily emphasised in the film. We saw how Detrich’s show had to have an  approved script or it wouldn’t air, and also that there were phone taps and investigators listening in on people’s conversations. Deranged with power Chancellor Adam Sutler  want s  “everyone to remember why they need” the governemnt. He did everything in his power to make absolutely sure of this and in the process created complete and utter chaos. By pumping fear into the land with man-made virsuses, curfews, surveillance to “protect” national security, and terror all over the news media, he slowly created a weakend and fearful yet, obedient nation. It was also a nation with people ‘s rights clearly being violated. By manipulating the people into fear and obedince he had complete control of the land. The film showed us the theme that the government can abuse it’s power and destroy a country and everything it once stood for.

 

 

One element of the film that was poorly done and clearly just for Hollywood, was the “love” Evey had for V. It wasn’t unnecessary to help bring the story along nor do I feel that it made the story any better. In fact, I feel that it slowed the movie down and caused confusion as to Evey’s true motives for her final actions in the film. I’d like to think that her “love” for him played a minimal part in her decision and that she chose to do what she did because of her own convicitons. The two seemed a bit off beat on screen when Evey’s feelings of “love” came into play. She seemed indecisive as to how she really felt. Her indesiciveness made her acting during these scences terrible and the whole idea of love between them unbelivable. It was clearly a request from Hollywood and didn’t fit in with the tone of the film.

 

            The sound for the film was rather dull, aside from the appropriate ending song. “Street Fighting Man,” from the Rolling Stones couldn’t have been a better choice to embody V’s character because that is exactly what V was.

 

            The cinematography in the film was well done. The editing technique that simulatnetously showed V and Evey’s characters after they experienced their change, showed us that they had a lot in common and that Evey was just starting her journey as a future defender of justice. In on of the most action packed scences of the film, we visually marvel at how well V’s sword training pays off. McTeigue’s choice of using actual footage of past riots and protests further showed us the possiblity that current day America could become the future England in his film.

 

The parellels of events in V for Vendetta definitely raise several questions and I feel that was McTeigue’s ulitmate goal. From the wide spread hysteria due to war, terror, and disease, to the conversion of a peaceful country into a totalitarian regime, the film makes us wonder if America could be next. V for Vendetta asks you what are you going to do as a citizen? V’s quote, “People should not fear their government. The government should fear its people,” sums up the movie in a nutshell.  Throughout the film V was on a quest to put fear back into the government for what they did to him and England as a whole. I would highly recommend this film for those who take an interest in social and political issues, but even more so for the average Joe. V for Vendetta will definitely stir some people emotions, and that is ultimately the goal of the film.

 

Brittney Werts

V for Vendetta: Victory of Muslims in U.K

After the   biggest terrorist attack in the United States in 2001, across the world there have been enormous motion pictures published that includes political views. James McTeigue’s V for Vendetta is one of the films  It is not like other political films that I had seen before, because the film had been shot in the United Kingdom and has a very different taste.

           

In this movie we have a model hero Hugo Weaving who is playing “V” and Natalie Portman who is playing Evey. The movie is taking place in the early future in United Kingdom. Vendetta is a very mad to the political system in England. He wants some change in the system and he will do whatever it takes. He meets with the Natalie Portman who is a very cute televisionist and pulls her with him. Vendetta’s first goal is try to reach British citizens and show them how and why government lied to them about important issues in England.  In this point an inspector Stephan Rea is authorized to find out who is Vendetta by president.

 

              In the beginning of the movie I was very curious why James McTeigue who was also the first assistant of “The Matrix Reloaded” and The Matrix Revolutions” filmed this movie in the United Kingdom instead of United States.  Even though, United Kingdom and United States have same political view United Kingdom a lot more sensitive about Homeland security and terrorist attack. For Instance, while more than 30 million illegal people working in the United States in the United Kingdom it is almost impossible. And secondly; If you don’t have  a valid  U.K visa you can not even use the England’s airport for transit service. For other European countries you are not required to have a transit visa but for England. To obtain a visa from U.K is more difficult than to obtain from other EU counties either. Therefore, The United Kingdom does not welcome immigrants or any kind of people which England might get hurt. I believe James tried to point out that United Kingdom is getting discriminator about immigrants. According to him, a Muslim might be a possible terrorist who can be cause of another terrorist attack in England.              In 9th of September in 2001 a group of Muslim people killed thousands of human in the

World Trade Center. There are more than eight hundred million Muslims in this World and If we compare the Muslims who are called terrorists and killed innocent civilians are inconsiderable percent of Muslim society. So, Muslim terrorists are very small group in this Muslim society but all terrorist attacks have been linked to all Muslims. Aldof Hitler and Radovan Karadzic killed thousands of innocent people because of their religion. Nobody linked these genocides to Christianity. James strongly highlights that one day in England it will be hard to define your self as a Muslim.  Muslims will not be in the society and will be pointed as malicious people. In one of the scenes Vendetta illustrates to watcher how it is hard to have a Qua ran in the house after the televisionist is killed because of the holy book.               But, this motion picture fails if we consider about a love story. Natalie doesn’t fall in love with f Vendetta but she demands to know what the behind of the mask looks like. At the end of the movie conversations between V and Evey could be more excited. I don’t think anybody who watched the film liked the scene that Evey said “I love you and I want to be with you” This was the poorest scene and couldn’t deliver a true love story.  Evey’s performance is on the top and I think we will see her again with another film.

              As a result, V for Vendetta is a decent film that everyone will enjoy with it. However, it is not like other movies that you don’t forget for several months or several years. There are some decent scenes in this movie and excellent visual effects. It will take you to

United Kingdom and show how they will discriminate Muslims one day. Vendetta summarizes how it is hard to live in a Christian country as a Muslim after the terror attack in 9.11. In After watching the movie you are absolutely will compare the political views of the United States and United Kingdom. (3.5 stars out of 5)

Ozzy  G-

 

V for Vendetta or V for Victory

       

Based on David Lloyd’s graphic novel of the same name, V for Vendetta is a movie that most people would want to see.  Set some time in the future in totalitarian England and its focal point is a self-determined man known as V (Weaving) who plans to bring down the Parliament.  Directed by James McTeigue an unforgettable narrative full of mystery, and action that will leave the viewer staggered with special effects. 

In the film, the main character named V plots to destroy the English Parliament Building, minutes into the movie V says, “Remember, remember the 5th of November, the gun powder treason and plot. I know of no reason why the gun powder treason should ever be forgot.”  A local woman who works at a television station, Evey played by Natalie Portman gets wedged in the revolution with V.  The relationship that Evey develops with V represents one half of the plot of the movie; they have a bitter-sweet love story. 

This film has two plots which is liberty and revenge but centered on love.  Years ago, V was part of a human test for biochemical warfare testing.  The facility had been bombed on November 5^th, date is no coincidence.  V escapes alive but scared for life and with avenges. V constantly uses the anniversary of Guy Fawkes’ attempted revolution for his revenge. V carefully kills everyone involved in Larkhill, the facility where he and others were experimented on the year after he bombed the Old Bailey.

Mentioned previously the film contains two plots that make for a good action packed thriller, and warm love scenes. Merging the two together could not have been easy for the writer. It also makes vital political statements which add to the intensity of the film.  The movie was released in 2006, which I think was the director’s subtle way of highlighting the War on Iraq, which is still going on today.

The love scenes are somewhat out of place.  V tortures Evey and gives her physical and mental strength; this is what makes there relationship stronger—very strange and unrealistic. Tortured by V unwittingly Evey discovers that V does have what it takes to carry out this revolution.  It teaches us an important life lesson that we all need other people at time to help us our most difficult problems.

The movie distorts social reality because as the viewer you know that this love story would never take place in the society we live in.  V can almost be considered a stalker in some sense.  Evey in the beginning of the film was a very timid woman who then later turns into this “hardcore” female because of V.  I thought that was interesting the way they transitioned her character into something else.  As far as the political aspect, would we as Americans go against our government? I find that hard to believe that we could take a stand as the people in the movie did against England.

V as both the hero and the villain in this movie; he explains the brilliance behind his plans.  He also explains his hidden agendas, not once in this movie do you see give up his fights for this cause that is so dear to his heart.  The fact that he is filled with revenge is what keeps him going but is also what kills him.

V for Vendetta was engaging but unrealistic. The intention of this movie is to arouse the mind of the viewer.  Although there were a couple scenes that were too long, and complexed maybe that would have taken away from the film without them.  It showed that every action has a reaction.  If you turn your head for one moment you could miss a large portion of the movie.  It is worth is merit the two hours and twelve minutes, just to view the revolution and the point the V tries to make that “People should not be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people.”  I definitely recommend this movie.

 

Martine E. Antoine

 

 

 

V for Vexing

            V for Vexing

 

            While 2006’s V for Vendetta may sound promising- A politically critical thriller with a talented cast set in the not too distant future- it ends up having set the bar a bit too high for itself. Instead of being a provocative, exciting think movie, it ends up being a jumble of themes and ideas the filmmakers just couldn’t sort out.

 

Based on the graphic novel by English writer Alan Moore, the film takes place in 2038 London, where a George Orwell-esque society is under the rule of Dictator Adam Sutler (John Hurt, Hellboy.) Suddenly, out of the shadows comes a masked Hugo Weaving (Lord of the Rings), saving the character of Evey (Natalie Portman, Closer) but ultimately not being able to salvage the film.

 

We soon learn that Weaving’s ‘V’, who wears a mask meant to symbolize 1600s revolutionary Guy Fawkes, is bent on revenge on the movie’s government and a new future for London. Evey soon finds herself embroiled in his plan. While the politically-interested might be intrigued by the similarities in the film to today’s government ( the film’s version of London bears a color-coded curfew system that seems to mirror the United States’ own color-coded threat level system) they will be forced to squirm through the seemingly inappropriate pseudo-romance between the Portman and Weaving characters.

 

While the political aspect of the film may be interesting, an intelligent piece is morphed in to a loud propaganda-like mess. Speeches are made and images are shown targeting terrorists, real and accused, as well as the United States, who is made out to be a villain in the movie, as the viewer finds out America’s war spreading overseas was the reason for the state of England in the film’s universe. The solemn, harsh environment that is meant to be depicted is made gratuitous by scenes of a young girl being shot, unholy priests and hate crimes. The viewer is no longer sympathetic for the people of the movie’s version of London, but uncomfortable.

 

           Portman, baffled as to what kind of movie she finds herself in.

 

Also making the audience uncomfortable is the thriller movie’s uneven punctuation by saccharine ‘love’ scenes, which, regardless of their significance in the graphic novel, seem to have been emphasized by Hollywood to appeal to the female chick-flick viewing dynamic. V and Evey share cheesy dances and embraces, and this only adds to the mystery of what kind of character Evey is meant to be portrayed as in the first place. Is she a strong female, brave as she helps set V’s plan in motion, or a weak and naïve one, as she is shown tortured, and apparently falling for a masked man. The hardened female with her head shaved that we see develop throughout the film becomes softened as she returns to vulnerable girl we are introduced to back in the start. This confusing characterization pendulum continues to swing back and forth for the remainder of the time.

 

            Another story is the one following the detectives being played by Stephen Rea (Breakfast on Pluto) and Rupert Graves (the Forsyte Saga.) While their attempt to unravel the mystery behind V is intriguing at times, it is also another parable to keep up with. Instead of having a gracefully intricate plot, V for Vendetta is tiresome to follow. The stories jump around and by the time the viewer has rejoined one of the many characters again, they may have forgotten exactly who they were watching and why. The payoff for the confusion and mystery after a puzzling array of crimes, coincidences and courtships comes frustratingly late in to the film.

 

            Music is another weak point. As the Old Bailey, London’s housing for Criminal Court is blown up by V early on in to the film, Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture is blared over the city’s intercom system. But the musical choice seems hollow, as the fantastical elements of the film are outweighed by the ‘reality’ of it. In another head-scratch-inducing move, the soundtrack was made overly eclectic by its featuring of bass-y techno beats, the Rolling Stones, and indie (hipster) favorite songstress, Cat Power.

 

           What may be considered the strong points are the acceptable acting performances by the able cast. Weaving delivers some of V’s monologues with a curiously entrancing quality, while Stephen Fry (Wilde) plays a friend of Evey’s, likable enough to endear the viewer to the people living under Sutler’s harsh rule.

 

            Also redeeming is the climactic fight scene, stylized to their liking by the Wachowski brothers- the minds behind the Matrix trilogy. While many of today’s movies feature shoot-outs, this scene contains actual fighting on the part of V. And while some of the casualties here are almost humorously grotesque, it is one of the most entertaining and visually stimulating episodes.

 

            Early on, V prompts us to “remember the idea, not the man.” But since the idea of revolution, which V preaches, is no new idea, perhaps the filmmakers should have passed, and let award-winning author Moore (who was ultimately disgusted with the film to the extent that his name appears nowhere in the credits) have his book left alone.

-Amy Eiferman

V for Vendetta

V for Vendetta is a film based off of a comic book by Alan Moore that is a rich display of political imagery on top of stunning effects.  V for Vendetta finds England under the ruler of a totalitarian government that supposedly represents our government.  James McTeigue is a first-time director for this film, but has worked his magic on the Matrix films, as well as Star Wars episode 2 and we can see the results in the explosions and fights scenes for V for Vendetta.  Although you never see his face Hugo Weaving gives a great performance as well as Natalie Portman making quite a showing for her as well.  V for Vendetta leaves audiences with a strong message and a story that will have them coming back to the movie time and again.

Although many of the action scenes are over the top and filled with explosions and violence, many of the loves scenes in the movie seem to be very artificial like they were placed in there just to keep us moving from dramatic scene to action scene.  These love scenes between Eve and V are artificial are artificial at best due to the both of the characters distraught backgrounds and necessity for each other.  I see V’s need for a replacement incase he meets his own end as well a need for interaction due to at least 20 years of being alone.  Eve on the other hand has a need for any parental roles such in case a father figure or someone who would give strength to her so she could stand up for herself.

The film is a very controversial one dealing with hot button issues that we face today.  The issue of giving up rights for the safety of a country is what many feel has happened today in America with the Patriot Act.  Another is the take over of the country by the conservative party in England which happened in the United States with the Republican Party and presidents such as Ronald Regan and George W Bush.  A problem that seems to face V for Vendetta is that the movie draws it source material from a comic written by Alan Moore at least 20 years ago.  I see the director and the writers trying to make the story relevant to today by trying to use England as America without going as far as saying “this is the United States”.  It seems when you try to fit something established like the comic and put it into a movie setting the story itself becomes molded to fit some aspects of Hollywood such as a love story and political idealism.  This seems to be the reason why Alan Moore has taken his name off most of the films that have been based off of his comics. 

The St Mary’s incident represents that kind of controversy, it was an act perpetrated by the government to put a political party into office.  The main idea was to create a virus that would kill many human lives and allow the government to come and save the day so they could be elected into office in November.  Since the blame of the attack is on terrorism its showing that it may reference atrocities that have happened in the Untied States such as 9/11.  Although no clear link is made in the film to it many of the events afterward creating a culture of fear many believe has happened in the United States of America under the Bush administration.  They also make show how the pharmaceutical company is hand and hand in the government and how much of a killing they made of selling the antis dote to the virus.  This is another clear example of showing how the government is hand in hand with big business.

One thing is for certain is that V for Vendetta separates itself from most comic book movies by delivering its hart hitting story as well as revolutionary ideals played out by deep characters.  Hugo Weaving who played Agent Smith in the Matrix films plays V a man who wares a Guy Fawkes mask and who uses violence to stir the masses and return freedoms to the people at any cost.  Although he is hidden by a mask we feel the emotions of a tortured soul that cries out for freedom.  Many scenes in the movie show his expertise in martial arts as well as his veracious verbose vocabulary.  V seems to represent anarchy in a political system that has oppressed its people.  He goes as far as saying “people should not be afraid of their government, their government should be afraid of the people”.  He has seen first hand the freedoms that have been destroyed by the government as well as the atrocities they have committed and believes that it must be held accountable.  We are never truly sure who V is at the end of the film which was a good choice that is unlike other movies of the genre. 

The character of Eve is played by Natalie Portman a young girl living in an oppressive world that seems to have been beaten in the opening scenes of the movie.  Eve has a childhood filled with tragedy due to the death of her brother in the St Mary’s epidemic as well as the death of her radical parents by the government for standing up.  She is very scared since this happened and hopes for the day when she can be as strong as her parents and stand up. Soon she is introduced to V she becomes enthralled in his radical ideals and works with him even though most of his plans become too violent for her to go through. One scene in the movie shows Eve being put through the torture that V faced earlier in life; although she hated V for it she seems freed by the rain in the end and is no longer afraid of the future.  The character of Eve never needs to know the identity of V because he stands for so much more than a man in a mask but ideals that she has coveted for many years.

Without a villain V for Vendetta would not succeed as well as it did and with High Chancellor Adam Sutler played by John Hurt we are given that villain. He is the antithesis to V and older man who hides from the public underground although his face is broadcast everywhere.  He uses fear mongering that keeps any kind of opposition to his regime underground and weak.   He institutes his values and judgments on everyone leading to arrests known as black bagging where people are dragged away never to return again.  The fear mongering of Adam Sutler’s administration is a clear stab at the Bush administration and the measures they will use to keep us safe from terrorism at any cost. Sutler believes that if the terrorist known as V is destroyed he can keep any type of change from occurring in the country.  What Sutler doesn’t realize is that what V believes in can never be destroyed “Ideas are bullet proof and can not be destroyed”.  Sutler and his administration fall to V and their infighting among themselves mainly due to Mr Creedy’s greed.

V for Vendetta succeeds as a movie that serves as model for a future that may or may not be true.  The movie ends at a point where we are guessing what happens next or if the natural order will be restored.  At points V for Vendetta can be a little drawn out but distances itself from other comic book movies by having a solid story that serves as a political piece against totalitarianism.  As we leave the film we can hear quotes by Malcolm X preaching about being able to fight back against those who attack against us.  Another quote by Gloria Steinem tells of a world order that is not based on race or sex.  These two quotes echo what happens in the film and help the viewer come out of the film with a better understanding of what the director was trying to get across.

-Matt Fischofer

V for Vendetta: An Intellectually Intriguiing Work of Cinematic Art

V for Vendetta: An intellectually intriguing work of cinematic art.

                                                A review by Mary Kate Leibman

 

Thrilling and daring, V for Vendetta is more than just a movie based on a comic; it is the catalyst for intense political debate.  The film will keep you on the edge of your seat, and not because of fancy CGI and stunts.  Produced by the Wachowski brothers (responsible for the Matrix trilogy) the film outdoes the success of the Matrix by far.  It is brilliant in the way it entwines two separate stories into one intense plot.  It is a film which takes us into the realms of a completely new world: one in which our freedoms have been stripped, and America is no more.

 

Based on the graphic novel by Alan Moore and directed by James McTeigue, the story revolves around Evey (played by the multi-talented Natalie Portman), a slave who works at the government-run TV station.  She is introduced to us as a quiet, shy, obedient citizen of the current British Totalitarian government set in the near future.  After being out after the government appointed curfew, Evey is approached by the government police who attempt to rape and attack her.  It is here that we are introduced to V, the masked avenger who sets out to kill off the key members of the totalitarian British state.  He rescues Evey from her attackers, and takes her to the rooftop where he blows up the Old Bailey.

 

V explains that the destruction of the Bailey must happen in order to remember the 5^th of November.  The 5^th of November, 1605 is when revolutionary Guy Fawkes tried to blow up the Parliament.  V states that on the next year of this date, he will assure Parliament’s destruction.  Here starts the revolution, as the impressionable Evey bites into V’s plan hook, line, and sinker. 

 

Throughout the movie, the filmmakers make an artistic attempt to tie in symbolic undertones to parallel today’s government with the totalitarian regime in Britain.  For the politically savvy, the allusions to today’s fear-based politics in the Bush administration are hard to ignore. 

 

High Chancellor Suttler, played with chilling detail by John Hurt, is what many consider to be today’s Bush.  He stands in front of a screen telling his cronies that the people need to believe that they are endangered.  Somehow, one can’t deny this is exactly how Bush was re-elected, playing the terrorist card.

 

What is more is that terrorism plays a key role in this film.  And no, they are not from the mid-east either.  Anarchy was the key theme in the graphic novel, which the film was based on.  V is the anarchist in this movie. He is labeled a terrorist in the movie. And a massive manhunt ensues to try and find him and bring him to government style justice.

 

V was the unfortunate victim of a fire in a government testing facility.  He underwent cruel experiments and was exposed to viruses that would eventually wipe out a 3^rd of Britain.

 

It is no wonder that the viewer is supposed to sympathize with the terrorist.  It is the real genius in this movie the way we as viewers sympathize with the terrorist.  Ultimately, regardless of political ideals, the filmmakers have us questioning government.

 

With strong symbolic ties to the current administration, the makers of this movie have us realizing that the government is just as lethal as the terrorists who challenge it.  Though exaggerated in this movie, the producers want us to believe the government is the real threat.

 

Treating V like a hero and giving him a cause glorifies his stance as a revolutionary.  Much like the play Wicked, it toys with our notion of what is good and evil.  More so, it has us questioning why people do evil things (or what is considered to be evil). 

 

After the connections have been established through symbolism, we start to see clever ploys that attempt to inject more criticism of government.  The filmmakers allude that the American military are terrorists, and government profits off of other’s misfortunes.

 

Brilliantly disguised in a heroic tale of revenge, V for Vendetta really comes across as a tool of propaganda for certain leftist beliefs (of which some are true).

 

On the other hand, the movie focuses on the manipulation of Evey, and how convincing V can be.  He manipulates her into his cause by having her face her fears.  Facing her past, Evey is able to rationalize V’s killing spree of government officials.

 

The cinematography also plays with the emotions more than your average film.  As it is supposed to be; a movie is supposed to externalize the internal.  Using brilliant color schemes to reflect certain feelings, the film will make you feel as cold as the blue tone of night, and as warm as the yellow of the day.  Frequently, the lighting will change drastically, so much so, that you feel the change of emotion in the pit of your stomach.  At certain points, the film takes on a “noir” feel to it, using shadows to create edgy effects of suspense right out of a 40s horror flick. All in all the film combines artistic cinematography to illuminate the emotions of the viewer.

 

Though a genius political thriller, the film never strays from its action packed roots.  Sorry Matrix fans, no dodging bullets here just plain old Zorro style sword fights.  With V’s charming side to him, it seems as if you are watching something out of The Count of Monte Crisco (V’s favorite movie).

 

Almost perfect, the movie does have some definite weaknesses.  In fact, the film is very confusing.  The filmmakers try to reach too many different audiences with stories, sub-stories, and a smattering of symbolism.  On one hand we have the intricate relationship between V and Evey.  Love story, not exactly, but Hollywood would want you to think so.  We have the tackling of major current events to reach the politically intellectual viewers.  With the amount of symbolism they use, it becomes tiring trying to piece it all together.  In the end one tires because their brain feels like it has exhausted it’s self into a state of paralysis; where the only thing that will make you function again is a trip to the bathroom (a well needed diversion from a drawn out film).

 

Overall, this movie was a creative way to insert political viewpoints as an undertone to a dystopia that some think is possible.  Though extremely exaggerated, the film tells us what can happen to our future if we are not careful now.  The message this film sends makes it the most politically charged movie of the past decade.  So, if you are in for another comic book film filled with explosions and drawn out fights, this is not your movie.  If you are in for a rewarding, intellectually intriguing work of art, then enjoy what is arguably one of the best films I have seen in a while.

V for Vendetta

 

       Led by director James McTeigue, V for Vendetta is overflowing with action and  adventure, made to keep you on your toes. The 2006 flick is somewhat complex, but its political and romantic storylines are interesting and entertaining. Together Natalie Portman and Hugo Weaving will stop at nothing until the people of London, understand the deceitfulness, lies, and hardship the English parliament has caused them.

“Remember, remember the fifth of November, the gunpowder treason and plot. I know of no reason why the gunpowder treason should ever be forgot”

    The movie starts of with this quote, and practically throughout the entire film, we can see re-enactment on what happened on the 5^th of November, when a man named Guy Fawkes brought the gunpowder into the tunnels, in an attempt to blow it up he was caught, and executed. This takes place at the very beginning of the movie.

     I saw this film twice: once in class and a second time at home. I’ve got to admit that I got much more out of this film seeing it a second time. At first, the film seemed long, boring, and way to complicated.

    V for Vendetta is set in London that has been taken over by a fascist mean and manipulative dictatorship. This government survives on the fears of its citizens to keep them in order. The story follows a young woman named Evey Hammond (Natalie Portman) who meets the so called terrorist V (Hugo Weaving) in an alley,  as he plans to bring down the fascist government with madness ,sabotage and the assinations of important vital members of parliament.  He believes this will in fact “change” government.

    The movie begins as Evey, (Natalie Portman) is rescued by V from a group of men in a dark alley, just as they were about to rape her. V, then takes Evey away to see his “show” on the rooftops,  little does she know, she is about to witness the demolition of The Old Bailey, London’s town symbol. V is sure that blowing up buildings can fix parliaments problems. V makes a promise that, after the destruction of The Old Bailey building, that on the next November the 5th, he will continue in the footsteps of Guy Fawkes and blow up Parliament.

   The government in V for Vendetta can be compared to Nazi Germany, with its flag symbols and many evil dictators. To me, V for Vendetta is a film based on “the right” What does a government really do if they are  never questioned; if citizens just accept everything they tell us or do. Although this movie is obviously fake it makes us think about our own “problems” with society and the government that leads us.

“People should not be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people.”- V.

   On the other hand V for Vendetta is a just a movie that should have of made you think? As it made me think.  Which I believe was exact intent of the film, to make you think.  People need to decide for themselves: Is V a hero or terrorist? Is what he’s doing right or wrong?

    I believe Natalie Portman’s performance as Evey is very well played out. Basically, she starts out as an unsure young woman, somewhat frightened of life. Throughout the course of the film, she gains an inner strength and is shaped into a person very mush  like V. She becomes a strong, confident, and direct force focused on changing the world for the better, and no longer burdened by fear.

   Chancellor Sutler, the “leader” of the government on the other hand is mean, manipulative, and runs a corrupt government. He only appears on the television during the movie. Sutler, whom I believe is more like the modern day Hitler, believes in a total dictatorship. Sutler, who was the leader in the so called nuclear “war” years ago , was held responsible for ruining and killing the lives of innocent immigrants, muslims, and homosexuals,  sending them to concentration camps. These crimes against humanity were unknown to the citizens of London.

    However, it is V who stands out, although his face is very well hidden by a Guy Fawkes mask the entire movie .He is a very intellectual man whose signature musical interests throughout the film include Beethoven’s 5^th symphony. I found myself rooting for the guy and his cause, although he is a “terrorist.” It makes someone reconsider exactly what a terrorist is?

    The movie also emphasizes some romantic aspects as well. One between Valerie and Ruth, two lesbian’s lovers torn away by the government and eventually killed. And the other with  Evey and V. In my opinion their relationship is not one of sexual feelings, but more of a kinship between two individuals who feel, love and act very similar. Evey grows to love V, because he makes her see who she really is. Fearless. She admitted to V that her fear has taken over her and when he takes it away, well that opens a new window in her life.

    While the middle and the end of the movie are somewhat slow, it has its times where it picks up and gets good, but not too much. The last part of the film comes through with the visuals and action sequences that are actually, in my opinion really good. Audiences should definitely be prepared to be entertained, but also do a little bit of thinking too.

     I also like the interesting use of music. The music used over the scene of the Old Bailey courthouse being destroyed, is great and adds the entire effect to the moment . As a huge fan of the stones I especially loved the song being played in the ending credits “Street Fighting Man” which is a very political song about anti-war. Also, the music that comes out of V’s jukebox is wonderful stuff. I really love the tune that they eventually dance to “Cry Me a River”, because all this point it shows the kind of love V has for Evey, and how he is longing to share a dance with someone.

     In the end, V succeeds in his attempts to blow up Parliament, but not without cost. Evey is forced to lay V’s lifeless body into the stack of explosives inside a train that is to be sent under Parliament. This train is then wired to explode under Parliament, and therefore, ignite the revolution V dreamed about.

–Raquel Ortega

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

George Orwell Biopic

John Giangrasso                                                                                        Intro to Journalism

8/1/08                                                                                                                     Prof. King

 

            Eric Arthur Blair (Born June, 25^th 1903 – January 21^st 1950) was an English journalist, political essayist and novelist who wrote under the pseudonym George Orwell.  He is most famous for two novels critical of totalitarianism, Nineteen Eighty – Four and Animal Farm (a satire of Stalinism).

            Eric Arthur Blair was born in Motihari, Bengal Presidency, British India.  His mother Ida Mabel Blair took her from a three-month visit to England his father Richard Blair did not enter his son’s life until he was nine years old.  Blair described his family as “lower-upper-middle-class.”  His work at St. Cyprian’s School in Eastbourne, Sussex earned him scholarships to Wellington and Eton.  After a term at Wellington College, Blair transferred to Eton College where he was relatively happy because the school allowed students much independence.

            Blair joined the Indian Imperial Police in October 1922 because his parents could not afford to send him to Oxbridge without another scholarship.  He moved to Moulmein where his grandmother lived in April 1926 and at the end of that year went on to Katha where he contracted Dengue Fever in 1927.  In view of his illness he was allowed to go home in July and he reappraised his life and resigned from the Indian Imperial Police with the intention of becoming a writer.

            He moved to London and started his exploratory expeditions to the poorer parts of London and recorded his experiences of the low life for use in “The Spike”, his first published essay, and the latter half of his first book, Down and Out in Paris and London (1933). 

            In spring of 1928, he moved to Paris, where the comparatively low cost of living and bohemian lifestyle offered an attraction for many aspiring writers.  He worked on novels but was more successful as a journalist.  He published articles in Monde, G. R.’s Weekly and Le Progres Civique.  In August 1929 he sent a copy of “The Spike” to The Adelphi magazine in London and it was accepted for publication.  In December, after a year and three quotes in Paris, he returned to England.

            Orwell did his leg and home-work as a social reporter: he gained entry to many houses in Waigon to see how people lived; took systematic notes of housing conditions and wages earned; and spent days in the local public library consulting public health records and reports on mine working conditions.  The Road to Wigan Pier’s second half was a long essay of his upbringing, and the development of his political conscience, including a denunciation of the Left’s irresponsible elements. 

            In December 1936, Orwell went to Spain as a fighter for the Republican side in the Spanish Civil War that was provoked by Francisco Franco’s Fascist uprising.  In conversation with Philip Mairet, editor of New English Weekly, Orwell said: “This Fascism…somebody’s got to stop it.  Fortuitously, Orwell joined the POUM (Partido Obrero de Unification Marxista), a revolutionary communist party, rather than the Communist International Brigades, but his experiences much increased his sympathies for the POUM, making him a life-long anti-Stalinist and firm believer in what he termed Democratic Socialism, socialism with free debate and elections. 

            I asked one of my classmates Matthew Fischofer if he thought Orwell’s criticism of the Soviet Union under Joseph Stalin damaged the socialist cause but he said, “No, because Stalin wasn’t true socialism.  He was a dictator with one ruling class that stood above everybody else.  Still there is a negative connotation of Socialism in this country, such as the Obama bashing for his support of socialized medicine.” 

            After the Spanish Ordeal, Orwell’s formation ended; his finest writing, best essays, and great fame lay ahead.  In 1941, Orwell worked for BBC’s Eastern Service, supervising Indian broadcasts meant to stimulate India’s war participation against the approaching.  Japanese army.  Despite the good salary, he resigned from the BBC in September 1943, and in November became literary editor of the left wing weekly magazine Tribune. 

            I asked Mr. Fischofer, during his employment at the BBC, Orwell became familiar with the methods of Nazi propaganda.  Do you think if he were around to watch TV today would he feel anything has changed significantly?  Fischofer said, “I think we still use the propaganda used by the Nazis.  Bringing the fear out of people is a good motivator.  Propaganda has snowballed.  People are to busy living their own little lives and when they hear it they take it too emotionally.”  

            In 1944, Orwell finished the anti-Stalinist allegory Animal Farm to critical and popular success.  With Animal Farm at the printers, with wars end in view, Orwell’s desire to be in the thick of the action quickened.  David Astor asked him to be the Observer was correspondent reporting the liberation of France and the earl occupation of Germany.  He had a baby later that year and also lost wife in the spring of 1945 during an operation to remove a tumor. 

            For the next for years he mixed journalistic work – mainly for the Tribune, The Observer and The Manchester Evening News, though he also contributed to many small-circulation political and literary magazines – with writing his best-known work, Nineteen Eighty-Four, which was published in 1949.  The book was originally supposed to be named 1980 but due to the illness it was changed to 1982 then 1984.           

            I asked Fischofer in 1984 Oceania is in perpetual war.  The enemy regularly changes but the state is always at war.  Do you think what Orwell is trying to say is that mankind will always find a reason to go to war?  Is peace a possibility?  He said, “There’s always going to be a power struggle, it depends if blood is going to be shed.  People strive for peace but they don’t get it.  Everyone really just wants for their own good.”  We were in agreement on the latter point. 

            Orwell died in London of tuberculosis at the age of 46.  When Orwell wrote “Down and Out in Paris and London” a semi-autobiographical account of his experiences in both cities this was a prime example of how journalism shaped his literary work.  Orwell said of the experience, “At present I do not feel that I have seen more than the fringe of poverty. Still I can point to one or two things I have definitely learned by being hard up. I shall never again think that all tramps are drunken scoundrels, nor expect a beggar to be grateful when I give him a penny, nor be surprised if men out of work lack energy, nor subscribe to the Salvation Army, nor pawn my clothes, nor refuse a handbill, nor enjoy a meal at a smart restaurant. That is a beginning.”  Orwell, in my opinion, most likely turned to journalism from literature because he found it easier to get work and found the work he was doing important.  John McNair (1887-1868), quotes him: “He said that this [writing a book] was quite secondary, and his main reason for coming was to fight against Fascism.” 

            Orwell, in my opinion, was a journalist at heart before he was an essayist or a novelist.  He did an extensive amount of work that was primarily journalist material and his two most famous books were so political they could be considered works of journalism too.  Animal Farm was an allegory in which animals play roles of the Bolshevik revolutionaries and Nineteen Eighty-Four a novel about life under a futuristic authoritarian regime in the year 1984.  Both describe how a society’s ideologies can be manipulated and twisted by those in positions of social and political power, including how a utopian society is made impossible by the corrupting nature of the very power necessary to create it. 

            I thought Nineteen Eighty-Four with its concept of the Big Brother is the most realistic example of how Orwell’s work is important today.  I asked Fischofer if he thought the concept of Big Brother in which people are always being watched and under constant surveillance all the time is a valid prediction from Orwell?  Does the Patriot Act prove this theory?  He said, “Absolutely, when people are afraid of something they will look to anything for security.  The more freedom you have, the less security you have.  Free will gives them a choice of failure.  They always wanted a Patriot Act in Congress but I haven’t heard of anyone being tried for it.” 

“Ideas are Bullet Proof”

In the 2006 suspense fantasy, V for Vendetta, Hugo Weaving and Natalie Portman are allies in a revolution against a corrupt government.

V for Vendetta , originally written by Allen Moore and David Lloyd takes place sometime after 2020. It is post a major war between England and the United States. The release of this movie in 2006 takes a stab at America. President Bush said there were weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and years later America is still wondering where they are. Still we recruit soldiers to go over to Iraq and risk there lives every minute, every hour and every day. Britain used a similar tactic creating a virus and distributing it to three major water supplies killing thousands of its citizens. There is commentary on the war on terror.

He is known to the people in charge as code V. V is framed as a terrorist who continues to throw oppositions towards the government. He goes against everything the government and its party stands for because they are corrupt and deceitful. To the people he is known not as a hero, but as a force of justice they have been waiting for. V stands by the people and believes that, “people should not fear the government, the government should fear the people.” It is extremely easy to see injustices and not do anything, but V does not leave that option open.

The British run their country as a totalitarian society as indicated by the curfew, control of the media, and the image of the high chancellor Adam Sutler. The chancellor’s image is always very large and overwhelming to the human eye, and this is where the fear of those in power takes place. The government uses fear as a tactic because they believe it leads to an obedient society.

There is a parallel between the Count of Monte Cristo and V for Vendetta in revenge being the key emotion. Revenge becomes an obsession in both pieces. In the Count of Monte Cristo, Dantes acquires power and wealth; he disguises himself as he seeks out all who helped imprison him. In V for Vendetta, V seeks out those who led to his creation at the Lock hill camp. That is when V finds out that force requires opposite force and without it there would be no way to take those in power down. “Violence can be used for good. “Revenge is best served cold” (Christiana).

The overall film is white and black except for flowers and fire. The film gives power to both beautiful and dark things. The role of music is both powerful and used constructively. Although banned because it is said to cause emotion, music rings throughout the speakers when V is up to his antics for new world order. The actions are echoed by the music’s huge crescendo were followed by the bombing of Parliament and the Lady Justice. Music is also used at the end of the movie when the songs “street fighting man” by the Rollins Stones and Malcolm X’s in the end- “Violence in self defense” are played.

Two themes that play out in the film are: the power of love to change people in the world and the power of ideas to change the world. V is the male lead who is known as the terrorist in the film who wants fairness, justice, and freedom for Britain. When did that become a bad thing? V’s house consisted of preserved arts and artifacts from around the world. Evey who plays the female lead works for a television company named BTN whose slogan is, “this is BTN, we merely report, not fabricate it, that’s the government’s job” referring to the news. The media’s role in the British society is huge because those in power use the media as an instrument for controlling ideas instead of expressing free ideas. Evey is completely aware of the injustices that play throughout the media. She explains how she can tell when a broadcaster is lying with the action of rapid eye blinking. Her parent’s became revolutionaries when their son dies at Saint Mary’s for undisclosed reasons. They were later killed because they were seen as a threat to the “progressing” Britain. The film doesn’t succeed as a romantic love story because V wanted Evey to be with him but could not let go of the revenge.  However, the movie does succeed as a story about the love of humanity because in the process of attaining revenge, V helps the British people open their eyes.

Another theme is the power of ideas to change the world.  V says, ”beneath this mask there’s an idea, ideas are bullet proof.” V knew of the corruptions of the high chancellor Adam Sutler, Mc Creedy and other members of the government. They were the cause of what he had become. They were the same people who were controlling the media, using slogans to brainwash the people, and implementing curfew. V ultimately takes action against the corruptions of their repressed society. V takes action by destroying the Lady Justice which symbolized justice on the 5^th of November, a date with historical significance dating back four hundred years ago. A year later he destroys Parliament, a symbol of the government, which indicated that change is needed. Evey takes action by pushing the lever sending the explosives towards Parliament. The inspector, Mr. Finch takes action by uncovering the truth while searching for the faceless terrorist V, which then leads him to not shoot Evey. They choose to fight against the regime that placed fear in their hearts.

How dare the president of a country say that fear is the best tool to keep his country in order? The Chancellor strikes against anything or anyone to gain control. Chancellor Sutler discriminates against anything he does not like. He is one minded and runs his society like that way. There is no loyalty. In the situation of Mc Creedy, next in line to the “thrown,” he shoots the Chancellor with no remorse in a deal he makes with V to spare his own life. Yes, this can be considered a film about revenge but it’s learned throughout the film that violence can be used as a means of justice.

 

-belfort

             

             

 

V For Victory

In the futuristic drama “V for Vendetta”, director James McTeigue brilliantly brings to life the crisply written screenplay of the very talented Wachowski Brothers.   Set in totalitarian England at some unspecified time in the future, the film focuses on one mysterious mans plan to bring down the government.

            The character of V, cleverly played by the Australian actor Hugo Weaving, is a counter hero because he is attempting to organize a revolution against an oppressive British government that is full of corruption and deceit.  Hiding behind a gothic like mask, V conceals his identity from all the other characters and from the audience.

            Despite the title and the seductive nature of V’s violent personality, the film is really at bottom, a love story in it own way.   These love interests is a woman named Evey, who abducted by V and held in captivity for about three years.  When she is first captured, Evey, played by Natalie Portman, is a gentle and reserved British citizen who is unaware of the atrocities committed by the corrupt British government.  By the time she has survived her captivity, Evey has come to realize that her appearance of being a respectful citizen is just a disguise that covers her evil nature.  They fall in love when her evil nature connects to his evil nature making them perfect for each other.

            Once V and Evey “commit” to each other, his plot to blow up parliament on November 5^th, Guy Fawkes Day, can proceed.  Evey, along with thousands of others, have now joined V’s masked army of rebels.  Each of V’s “soldiers” is wearing a duplicate of the mask worn by V.  The plan is for V’s “army” to march toward Parliament.  In the meantime, an underground train filled with explosives is ready to be sent to a location directly under parliament.  The ending of the film, which will remain a secret, will surprise even the most experienced film viewer.

            V for Vendetta is filled with many symbolic references and traditional themes.  When the masked army marches in unison towards parliament, the film viewer cannot help but be reminded of the famous scene in Shakespeare’s Macbeth when ten thousand members of the English army and the Scottish rebels each cut down a branch of a tree and use it as a disguise to attack Macbeth’s castle.  In both Macbeth and V for Vendetta, rebels are trying to overthrow an oppressive government.  The Wachowski Brothers evidently evidently know their Shakespeare.

            The film also borrows thematically from another very famous futuristic story about an oppressive British Government.   George Orwell’s classic novel entitled 1984 is the story of Winston Smith who secretly tries to connect with a young woman who he thinks will join him in trying to go against “Big Brother”, which is the main branch of the totalitarian government.  Like “V for Vendetta”, Orwell’s novel about a world in which the majority of citizens have lost their rights is really a love story.  In both the novel and the film, one theme becomes clear: love cannot survive when individuals are not free to be who they are.

            Despite its political timeliness and despite its top-notch acting, the film fails in certain areas.  One problem lies in its complicated plot.  At times, the viewer struggles to follow all the ins and outs of the character’s motivations.  For example, V himself evidently has a personal grudge or “vendetta” towards the government.  What that personal grudge or vendetta is, is never made clear to the audience.  Also, the film is thematically dark because its backdrop is an oppressive government filled with corruption.  At times, this thematic darkness spills over into a visual darkness that clouds a scene and makes it hard for the viewer to distinguish characters and props. 

            The cinematography of the film was very effective.  For example, in one scene, V hurls his sword at the “bad government officials.”  Through an effective use of slow motion cinematography, the director captures the anger of V and his passion to execute those forces he feels have betrayed him and the rest of the world.  As that sword tumbles through air, the viewer has no doubt that it will find its mark a few times over. 

            The most interesting characters in the film are V himself and Evey.  V is a fascinating character because he never really changes his personality throughout the film.  He is intent from the very start on destroying the British government. V never really allows anything or any person to distract him from succeeding in his goal to overthrow parliament.  V easily seduces the audience because we feel sorry for him and then we feel empowered by him.  His one soft spot is his feelings for Evey.  Yet even his attachment to her is seen as less important than his passion to destroy the government.   To the audience, V is a very interesting character type because of his commitment to one goal.  Evey on the other hand undergoes a character change.  She moves from being an obedient citizen to a rebel.  Evey is a beautiful looking woman who falls in love with an obsessed man.  She never even sees who that person really is physically behind the mask.  However, Evey like the audience falls in love with V’s character and personality.  Like many of us, we would like to think that we see beneath the outward appearance of someone and appreciate more the inner person.

            All in all, “V for Vendetta” is a film definitely worth seeing.  If you are disgusted with the present political state of affairs, and you feel there may be hope for change, “V for Vendetta” is the film for you.   Although the extreme measures V goes through to overthrow the government are probably not the measures that a modern American audience would use to show their dissatisfaction with the government, the spirit of V’s rebellion is something that most Americans can identify with. 

            I would give this movie an overall rating of a 4. 

- Jared Albaum 

V For Vendetta – Remember the idea, not the movie

by Adam Michaelson

In one of the opening scenes of V For Vendetta, Natalie Portman’s character Evey asks, “Are you like…a crazy person?” of Hugo Weaving’s V” Viewers need not worry, for the filmmakers certainly were a bit crazy themselves. V For Vendetta, while subjected to the Wachowski brother’s signature treatment, is definitely a film worth the two hours.

While the movie is set in the year 2038, the British government has been taken control of by a totalitarian named Adam Sutler, the leader of the Norsefire party. Later on in the movie, V explains, “Fear became the ultimate tool of this government.” It is through this fear along with numerous forms of propaganda, complete control of the media, use of curfews, violent operations, discrimination, executions, and constant surveillance and spying that the government retains its control over citizens.

When V For Vendetta begins, it is prefaced with Evey Hammond telling the story of Guy Fawkes. He was a revolutionary who had been caught in an attempt to bomb the Parliament building on November 5^th in the 16^th century. It is only minutes later when this date takes on even further meaning when the eccentric V bombs the Old Bailey while broadcasting Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture through the government’s own emergency loudspeakers.

The movie then goes on to document V executing a plot of both revenge and freedom from oppression. It is discovered that V had been a human test subject for biochemical warfare testing years prior to when the movie opens. This testing facility had been bombed and V had escaped with his life and his anger. Not surprisingly, the date of this bombing was November 5^th. V consistently uses the anniversary of Guy Fawkes’ attempted revolution to exact his revenge. In the year after he bombed the Old Bailey, V makes careful work of killing everyone involved in the running of Larkhill, the facility where he and others were experimented on.

During all of this, he garners the attention of the public and delivers messages of truth and freedom. Slowly but surely, V gains the trust of the citizenry. The public opinion of him becomes far better than that of the ruling regime. This is exactly what V had planned.

The best aspect of the film has to be the idea of manipulation. Throughout the film, the filmmakers depicted manipulation as a tool of both good and evil. Even V acknowledges this notion when he quotes Evey’s father in saying, “Artists use lies to tell the truth.” He goes on to explain, “Yes, I created a lie. But because you believed it, you found something true about yourself.”

On the other hand, the government in this film uses tools of manipulation for its own agenda. While broadcasting a false news story to make the destruction of the Old Bailey seem like a planned government project, Sutler’s man Dascomb remarks, “This is the BTN. Our job is to report the news, not fabricate it. That’s the government’s job.” It becomes difficult to differentiate which entity is which. In one of the later scenes of the movie, V explains the situation to Chief Inspector Finch (Stephen Rea) by saying, “Fear became the ultimate tool of this government.”

This is, of course, the main message of the film. In a pirate broadcast to the British public, V reminds the public of the wrongdoings of the government and then offers up the blame by saying, “If you’re looking for the guilty, you need only look into a mirror.”

The influence of the government is also witnessed when Dominic, Finch’s assistant, says, “He’s a terrorist, you can’t expect him to act like you and me.” Finch is quick to correct him by saying, “Some part of him’s human.”

V’s use of alliteration is another success of this film. Phrases like “censors and systems of surveillance coercing your conformity and soliciting your submission” flow like rivers and are memorable, and therefore more powerful. This is a show of writing talent and Weaving’s delivery of these lines is impeccable.

One problem in the film is the lack of consistency; not in the plot but in the production. In the two scenes where V and Evey are on the rooftop of V’s hideout, there is an overwhelming hair light. This makes the scene feel awkward as it gives it a surreal feeling in a place that should be more real. Either the moon is much brighter in 2038 or someone forgot their light meter. The look would have been much more acceptable had the filmmakers continued it throughout the film, but alas no such look was achieved on any consistent basis.

Something else that is a bit distracting is the “futuristic-retro” look of the film. The special effects give the film a futuristic look, reminiscent of The Matrix at times. This comes as no surprise, but thankfully is not overbearing. In the flashback of a woman who had been in charge of Larkhill, the production causes the scene to have a 1950s wartime look. While it is understandable that the filmmakers want to note how far in the past this event was, it creates a rift in the timeline of the story.

The soundtrack of the film seemed to have been chosen by a catholic group. While the instrumental music selected for effect added momentum and suspense, V’s music taste is that of slow jazz accompanied by female vocals. He is seen listening to both Julie London’s old time “Cry Me A River” as well as modern day Cat Power’s version of Lou Reed’s “I Found A Reason.” The soundtrack also entertains such artists as Boots Randolph, Zakk Wylde’s Black Label Society, and Antony and the Johnsons. The Rolling Stones begin the credits with their song “Street Fighting Man.” This variation in music is a bit odd and at times out of place.

The existence of a love story between Evey and V is questionable at best. While they do share one or two moments of intimacy, such as when they kiss just before V leaves to face certain death, there is doubt as to whether or not it is the typical Hollywood romance that viewers might be used to. This love shared seems to be more of a bond which is formed between people who share a common situation; it is created when people share the same plight.

While Hugo Weaving (Transformers, Lord Of The Rings) is becoming more recognized for his voice, he is able to employ an enticing accent. Even behind the Guy Fawkes mask, his voice remains sharp and articulate throughout the film. Weaving’s line delivery is both inspired and attention grabbing, which makes him a perfect fit for his role. Also fitting for their roles are Tim Pigott-Smith and John Hurt as Creedy and Adam Sutler, respectively. Pigott-Smith delivers a chilling performance as Sutler’s right hand man, “a man seemingly without a conscience,” as V tells Chief Inspector Finch. Hurt portrays a control obsessed Sutler without missing a beat. Like Weaving, Hurt’s voice is the most fitting part of his character.

The character of Evey Hammond is played excellently by an emotional Natalie Portman. While her character may be a bit confused as to her intentions, Portman does an impressive job of making the best out of an iffy part in the script. Stephen Rea’s Chief Inspector Finch is one of the most convincing characters in the whole movie. He achieves this with a quiet concern always on his face and the constant impression that there is more going on in his mind than he lets out. Viewers will connect the most with Finch as he is the most accessible due to his more humanistic nature and understanding.

In all of this, there are a few roles that missed the mark a bit. Ben Miles’ performance as Dascomb had a good start but fell off as the movie went on. In a scene inside a television studio, he seems almost out of place and begins to overact as he tries to think up a plan. This happens again as he ponders how to cover up V’s murder of a prominent Norsefire party member. It appears as though Miles was thinking more about his body language than about his character’s plans.

Through and through, this movie was made with the intent of stimulating the mind of the viewer. Although it may seem over-intellectualized and out of reach in certain places, the message of responsibility rings through loud and clear. A few scenes did seem to go on just a bit too long, however the film would probably lack without them. “I suddenly had this feeling that everything was connected. It was like I could see the whole thing, one long chain of events,” says Finch. That is exactly what this movie is, one long chain. If it were missing just a single piece, it would be incomplete. All in all, V For Vendetta is worth the two hours…even if only once, just to bear witness to a revolution.

V for Vendetta Raises the Bar For the Action Genre

Ryan Hendricks

ENG 215

V for Vendetta is an action packed thriller staring Natalie Portman (Evey), Hugo Weaving (V), and directed by James McTeigue. This story is a modern interpretation of the story of Guy Fawkes. Fawkes was member of the Roman Catholic Revolutionaries from England, and he planned to carry out a plot to destroy the English Parliament Building in 1605. This plot is similar to the plot that V plans to carry out against a fictional totalitarian regime that has taken over the British Government (Britannica.com).

In the film, the main character named V battles a totalitarian regime and conspires to destroy the English Parliament Building. A local reporter named Evey gets caught up in the revolution, and suddenly her life crosses paths with V. Evey’s relationship with V represents one half of the plot of the movie. This portion of the plot is a classic love story with a twist. Through weaving together many different genres, the director of V for Vendetta has created a rather interesting film that never fails to disappoint.

As mentioned earlier this film contains two main plots. The two plots combine into a love story that is wound around an action packed thriller, and this makes for a movie that is filled with plenty of unnecessary violence and warm love scenes. Delicately weaving these two genres together is by no means an easy task. Not only does V for Vendetta successfully combine two genres that are polar opposites; it makes important political statements which add to the intellectual depth of the film.

One of the strongest attributes of this movie is its ability to make political statements. This movie gives its viewers many reasons for denying totalitarianism, and all types of oppressive governments. Many viewers many only notice the action sequence and the at times subtle love story. However, for those of us with an imagination there exists more to this movie. This movie seems to make the case against the American occupation of Iraq. In the movie, the fictitious totalitarian regime uses fear to control the population. This is similar to the American war on terrorism in which President Bush used the treat of weapons of mass destruction to convince American’s to support a war that was unnecessary. It should be noted that this movie was released in 2006, which could give credence to the fact that the director was trying to subtly disapprove of the American occupation of Iraq.

The love scenes in the movie often at times seem out of place, and serve to distract the viewer from some of the subtle political statements. The love story develops between the two main characters, V and Evey. This relationship starts off as one that is necessary for their mutual survival. However, after a few scenes the relationship becomes a loving relationship. In the film, V is forced to torture Evey in order to increase her mental and physical strength. This is one of the tensest parts of the movie: Evey Hammond: “You got to me? You did this to me? You cut my hair? You tortured me? You tortured me! Why”?
V: “You said you wanted to live without fear. I wish there’d been an easier way, but there wasn’t”.

After being tortured and refusing to turn V into the authorities Evey gains the strength of character to confront the many things in her life that have been tormenting her. V also learns from Evey that during the most difficult of times he possesses the strength to carry on with the revolution. Even though the love story is at many times out of place, it teaches us an important life lesson that sometimes we need other people to help us tackle our most challenging life problems.

V for Vendetta is a movie that has many positive qualities that are evident as you watch the movie. The special effects in this movie are phenomenal, and keep the viewer thoroughly entertained. The scene where the English Parliament Building is blown up is an excellent example of special effects being used well in this movie. The color emanating from the screen lit up the room with a wide array of vivid colors.

In addition to making political statements this movie makes social statements as well. Two openly gay characters named Valerie and Gordon Dietrich play an important role in the movie. Both characters are persecuted for being gay in the movie by the evil Norsefire government. This movie aims to combat stereotypes of homosexuals by making their characters play pivotal roles in the movie. Gordon and Valerie are depicted as being some of the most heroic characters in the movie. Gordon refuses to give up his Koran and eventually dies for having illegal written materials. The Koran is more than just a religious book; it serves as a symbol of Gordon’s refusal to give up his personal freedom. Valerie shows strength in the movie by writing her autobiography in a jail cell. This autobiography written by Valerie inspires V to carry on with the revolution when he is confronted with significant obstacles, and thus Valerie’s strength was able to give strength to V.

This movie is an extremely good action film; however it does have some areas that need improvement. With a running time of over two hours this movie is extremely long for the action genre. Consequently, the movie seems to drag at the end, and this made the viewer wonder when the movie was going to finish. The script of this movie is another area that needs work. At times one feels as if the script is restricting the creativity and acting ability of the cast, especially Natalie Portman, who many consider to the one of the best actresses of her generation.

V for Vendetta is an excellent example of an action movie that works outside the normal conventions of the genre. The movie makes important political and social statements that add intellectual depth to the movie. The aforementioned factors combine with stellar graphics, and top notch acting to create a cinema masterpiece that will serve as a standard for many years to come. This is an excellent movie and it received a rating of 9 out of 10 stars. Do yourself a favor and see this movie, “remember, remember the fifth of November”.

Works Cited

“Guy Fawkes: A Biography.” Britanica. 7 Aug. 2008 <http://http://www.britannia.com/history/g-fawkes.html>.

V For Vendetta- A look into the future

 V for Vendetta is a haunting tale of mystery, action and thrills that will leave the viewer stunned with special effects and captivated with thought long after the credits roll. Based on the DC comics nineteen eighties graphic novels by Alan Moore and David Lloyd in combination with the Watchowski brothers (The Matrix Trilogy) have once again created a work that has left audiences wanting more. The cast includes an all star lineup with Natalie Portman (Star Wars), Hugo Weaving (The Matrix), Stephen Rea (Interview with a Vampire), and  John Hurt (Alien) the director of the film is the  Australian first time director filmmaker James McTeigue (co. director of The Matrix).

  The year is 2038 and Britain has never looked darker. The world is on the brink of total anarchy. Britain is holding on to control with a tyrannical fist led by the Norsefire government that  resembles that of George Orwell’s book entitled 1984. The United States is referred to by TV personality Gordon Deitrich (Stephen Fry) as a Leper colony that is now a wasteland of ungodly behavior. A strict curfew for all citizens is under full effect at night and the corrupt secret police known as the Fingermen roam the streets in search of victims. It seems as if all hope for freedom and normalcy is lost save for the actions of one man known as V (Hugo Weaving). V appears in like a shadow in all black with an assortment of weaponry ranging from knives to explosive charges. On his face is a mask of Guy Fox a revolutionary from the year 1605 who was behind the plot to blow up the Parliament building. It is when he saves Evey(Natalie Portman) a civilian who has gone out past curfew that this movie kicks off what is to become the beginning of a Sci Fi   adventure into the dark world of our hero and unsuspecting heroine. Together they set out to topple what has become a towering tyranny built on fear and corruption.

  The world we are introduced to is one where individual thought and radical beliefs are outlawed. “I’ve witnessed firsthand the power of ideas, I’ve seen people killed by them.” Evey speaks this line in the opening narration that shows a scene depicting the arrest of Guy Fox that is to set the tone of what is taking place four hundred years before and is mirrored in the society that is present in the film. The words spoken over the TV broadcast of Gordon Deitrich, ironically a closet homosexual who lives in fear of those he represents, encompasses the overall feeling of brainwashing that is taking place on all levels. Speakers line streets and announce messages controlled by the government to all citizens. Fear is the main tool used by the Norsefire government in their method of control. Fear of imprisonment or violence has taken over the lives of the people and V uses very public displays of rebellion as his method to fight his underground guerilla style war. 

  The film is centered around the fifth of november which is known as a day of remembrance for the actions of Guy Fox. V seeks to undertake the same cause as Guy Fox and strike terror into the government with the help of the citizens of Britain. “Remember, remember, the fifth of November,The gunpowder treason and plot. I know of no reason why gunpowder treason, should ever be forgot.” This powerful poem is spoken by V in an attempt to inspire those who will listen and impose upon those that will not listen . As the film progresses the character of Ev