V for Vendetta

FILM REVIEW by Nati Peris Tena

I am going to tell you about one of the best films I have seen lately. If you have not watched it yet, I highly recommend it because this is one of those movies that really sticks in your head, since there is a message behind the fiction that makes you open your eyes about what is happening in our time and what could happen. One of its outstanding sentences is: “People should not be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people.”

Film Tittle: V FOR VENDETTA

Country: A United Kingdom-Germany co-production

Language: British English

Year: 2005

Genre: Action / Drama / Sci-Fi / Thriller

Director: James McTeigue

Writing Credits: Andy and Larry Wachowski (creators of the Matrix trilogy)

Main Cast: Natalie Portman (as Evey Hammond), Hugo Weaving (as V), Stephen Rea (as Chief Inspector Eric Finch), John Hurt (as Chancellor Adam Sutler), Stephen Fry (as Gordon Deitrich).

Location: Berlin and London

You can watch the trailer at: wwws.warnerbros.co.uk/vforvendetta

Synopsis:

This film is set in London around the year 2039. England is ruled under a totalitarian government leaded by Chancellor Sutler.

V is a mysterious man, who is always covering his face with a mask to conceal his identity. He also has a superhuman strength with a great ability to combat, extraordinary intelligence and a cruel mood, skills that he is able to use in a creative way to manipulate the media, to kill influential partisans of the government who are doing really wrong things, and to blow buildings using explosives. V is considered a terrorist by the government, but he gets all the citizens to pay attention to him.

At the beginning of the film, V rescues a young woman called Evey from a dangerous situation with police officers. He lodges her in his hiding-place and asks her for help in his plan: to start a revolution, encouraging to his fellow citizens to rise up against government oppression and tyranny being all present at the blowing up of the Houses of Parliament the night of the 5^th of November next year. At the beginning Evey rejects his request, but after all, she becomes V´s ally.

Analysis:

This film is based on the graphic novel tittled “V for Vendetta” by Alan Moore in 1988. It has clear dialogues with quite usual vocabulary. You can also understand easily all the plot because the characters do not talk very fast.

There are very well done special effects, which are deeply moving in the climatic moments. Moreover, the sound track with classical music is amazing.

Although this film is rated “R” (Restricted for people under 17 years old) by the MPAA (The Motion Picture Association of America) for strong language and violence, it is not that bad.

Personal opinion:

I was amazed by this film. In one hand, I have read that many people think that it is an attack on the Bush Administration, and on the other hand, this story could be similar to the one related in the George Orwell book titled “1984”. It could be, but above all, I consider this movie as a criticism on oppression and about freedom. It shows the viewer what is really important, giving us an encouraging message. V for Vendetta warns against the dangers of corruption, control, manipulation and repression. And also makes you think about a powerful weapon used by governments: fear (of war, disease or famine). Fear is a basic part of human nature, and it has been exploited as a method of control for centuries. So, it shows what can happen when society is ruled by government, rather than government is run by the will of the people. In conclusion, the film is really a very interesting illustration to think over, set in a world that I hope we will never have to inhabit.

1/10 Score: 9