Imagine today’s New York Times reported that the war in Iraq was intentional and that the “Grand Chancellor” knew there were not any weapons of mass destruction. What if it was revealed that the “Grand Chancellor” has been spying on U.S. citizens without approval from the courts and a videotape was released showing detainees being stripped naked and beaten by guards at Guantanamo Bay?
The Grand Chancellor in “V for Vendetta” says: “Every nation in every regime has a decision to make. Either you are with us, or your are with the terrorists.” What if the Grand Chancellor was President George W. Bush?
“V for Vendetta” is not just a film, it is the mirror on our modern society. The film is set in a fictional, totalitarian Great Britain of the future, in which the government controls everything from the news to people’s sexual preferences.
From the shadows comes a terrorist named V, played by “The Matrix’s” Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving) who uses violent acts of terror to fight the government. After rescuing Evey, played beautifully by Natalie Portman, V becomes attached to her and turns her into a freedom fighter like himself.
On the road to freedom, the film reveals how V was part of a government conspiracy to release a deadly virus on its own society in order for Adam Sutler, played by John Hurt, (who plays the reverse of his role in “1984”) to gain power and become the Grand Chancellor.
Once in power, the Grand Chancellor and his chromes use fear to take away freedoms from the people, and as usual, the first thing to go is art because we all know all art could potentially inspire rebellion. In case you think “V” is all work and no play, there are a few funny moments in which we see the softer, domestic side of the film.
The Wachowski brothers wrote the screenplay but opted not to direct “V,” passing on the honor to James McTeigue first assistant director on all of the “Matrix” movies.
Although they did not direct the film, the Wachowski brothers can be felt in every scene through the hypnotic language. There is so much in the writing alone that makes a second viewing almost necessary in order to take everything in.
The screenplay is based on Alan Moore’s graphic novel (or long comic book) that was published in 1985 in response to former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, who was a member of the Conservative Party. Moore thought Thatcher would create a totalitarian state. The Wachowski brothers manage to adapt the story to relate to the current situation in America.
Unlike other comic book heroes who have hit the screen, V fights real enemies and not imaginary villains. V does wear a mask on his face, but rather than just concealing his identity, the mask becomes a symbol of a movement.
Hugo Weaving’s voice, as the “Phantom of the Opera-like” hero mixed with a little Zorro, is so moving that at times you will find yourself thinking the mask changed in some way to show emotion.
Natalie Portman, who has turned in mediocre performances in the past, such as in “Star Wars,” gives an unbelievably grown-up performance as Evey. The film is helped also by the amazing cinematography of the late Adrian Biddle, who managed to give life to the cold city streets of London.
If there is one reason to see “V” it is for the explosion sequence that will send adrenaline pumping throughout your veins. The film manages to entertain and inform at the same time.
If you leave this film and still have your blinders on, then you have missed an amazing film. This film gives you a chance to see the slippery slope that our government is quickly going down at full speed ahead. For all of us who still need hope, just remember: Nov. 5, although it is fake, is all we have.
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