Review: V for Vendetta

       Alan Moore is arguably the greatest literary mind of our time. His graphic novels, most notably the classic Watchmen, are unparalleled. However, Moore is also a noted beard enthusiast and crazy person. He's sort of a reclusive mad genius, producing brilliant works of art and hiding from the spotlight. Moore's novels have inspired a number of film interpretations. From Hell, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Watchmen, and V for Vendetta are all based on Moore's work. Moore has always disowned the film versions of his stories regardless of public opinion or how good they actually are. V for Vendetta is, in my opinion, the best movie version of a story written by Alan Moore and it has taken on life of its own.

       Before I continue with this review, I have to address an issue that this movie has created. Given the numerous mentions and references to Guy Fawkes and Guy Fawkes Day, this film has become the preferred viewing material on November 5^th. For those who don't know, in 1605, Guy Fawkes attempted to blow up British parliament in an effort to overthrow the government. Fawkes was arrested before he could execute his plan and was subsequently hanged. Today, England celebrates Guy Fawkes failed plot every November 5^th, with fireworks and burning Fawkes in effigy. There is even a famous poem that many people quote regarding the holiday:

This guy was a jerk.

“Remember, remember

The 5^th of November

Gunpowder, treason and plot

I know of no reason

Why gunpowder treason

Should ever be forgot.”

       This movie uses Guy Fawkes as a symbol for taking on the man and overthrowing an oppressive government. Because of this, people who don't know their history think Guy Fawkes is some sort of iconic hero, a martyr for the cause. Guy Fawkes masks, identical to the one worn by V in this movie, are frequently seen at protests around the globe. However, what often gets over looked, is that Guy Fawkes was a radical religious zealot who wanted to replace the british government with a totalitarian theocracy, much like the government V fights against in this movie. So when you recite the poem quoted above, remember the context. We shouldn't forget Guy Fawkes, not because he was a hero, but because he was a villain.

       Now that I'm off of my soapbox, let's talk about this movie. The year is 2020, and a deadly virus has wiped out most of the United States. England has survived and is ruled by a totalitarian government that offers protection at the cost of freedom. Natalie Portman plays Evey, a low level employee at the government's propaganda machine, BTN. One night she goes out past curfew and is accosted by a group of government enforcers. She is rescued by a dramatic, masked man identified only as “V.” V (Hugo Weaving) takes Evey up to the roof of a nearby building and has her watch as he executes his plan of blowing up the Old Bailey Courthouse. The next day V hijacks BTN and sends out a message encouraging people to fight back against the oppressors and meet a year later to watch parliament blow up. The government does everything it can to undermine V's efforts, and in the police's investigation into V's origins they discover a government conspiracy that gives V motive for his vendetta. Meanwhile, Evey slowly changes view of V from a maniac in a mask to a hero fighting opression. The most important event in this change happens when she is imprisoned, for which Portman famously shaved her head.

       This movie is really great. Hugo Weaving creates a memorable character while acting behind a mask for the entirety of the film. Being able to overcome this acting disadvantage is truly impressive. Portman's performance isn't as memorable, but it isn't terrible either. The script stays relatively true to the brilliant source material, which makes it difficult for the movie to screw up. Clever cinematography in dialogue is also a highlight, particularly V's mesmerizing “V Speech” in which he gives a lengthy explanation of who he is while seemingly exhausting his vocabulary of words beginning with the letter 'V.' Also Stephen Fry is in this movie as the host of a comedy show that pokes fun at the government at the risk of his own safety. I love Stephen Fry and would nominate him in a contest for best person alive, so anything he is involved with has to be excellent. This is a good movie, and I'm not going to discourage you from watching it every November 5^th, but I do ask that you keep in mind the historical context of Guy Fawkes.

       On a side note, I would like to point out the insane amount of detail in this movie that you probably didn't notice. The letter V is hidden in the background of this movie all over the place, so when you watch this keep an eye out. You probably notice the more blatant ones like the V shaped fireworks over the Old Bailey, but what about the v-shaped cut on Evey's head, or Stephen Fry's Quran which is also open in a V shape. The hands on clocks are also seen in v-shaped position may times, but that's just the beginning. There's Evey's name: E is the fifth letter of the alphbet, V is the fifth letter if you're counting backwards, and Y is the 25^th letter, or five squared. Finch has five letters in his name, and Creedy's name also has it's fair share of Es and Ys. Also, Beethoven's Fifth Symphony is on the soundtrack. What's so important about the number 5? In roman numerals, 5 is represented as V. Finally, in what is perhaps the most mind-blowing detail of all, one of the film's major characters is actually named V.