V for Vendetta (James McTeigue, 2005): USA

Reviewed by Sofia Nagel. Viewed on DVD.

V for Vendetta
Where does a government’s power cease and an individual’s power begin? The line is intersected. V for Vendetta is an incredibly appropriate film for our current time and the United States’ political and cultural state. James McTeigue beautifully portrays the 1982 graphic novel (originally written by Alan Moore and David Lloyd) as an 1984-like Dystopian universe in V for Vendetta where art, music, literature and even certain foods are forbidden. There’s a strict curfew and very few personal liberties.

In the year 2020, the United Kingdom has become the sole stable country. The United States has fallen and has had the title of superpower revoked; a pandemic has horribly spread throughout Europe leaving the general public under the influence and “protection” of Fascist Norsefire High Chancellor Adam Sutler (John Hurt). Adam Sutler is terrifying; he is a mixture of former dictatorial monsters combined with fears of our government’s power and how they potentially can criminally abuse it. The United Kingdom is under totalitarian oppression that is run violently and without concern of citizens. It seeks to protect and control its’ own image rather than tending to the general public who have had nearly all God-given rights taken away from them. By depriving the nation of knowledge, Adam Sutler can protect himself because education is dangerous. A single idea, as the film focuses on, can change the world. An idea is untouchable; it’s yours and one of the few things that no one can take away.

On a fateful night, a seemingly-naive and beautiful woman called Evey (Natalie Portman) crosses paths with a mysterious vigilante clothed in all black wearing a Guy Fawkes mask. He introduces himself as “V” (Hugo Weaving). V confides in Evey his plan to encourage the people of Britain to revolt against their oppressive propaganda-using government and does everything in his power to provoke the uprising. V, like Evey, has many secrets that are not unveiled initially yet when revealed, are beautiful and poignant. Despite having an ardent political message, V for Vendetta felt remnant of Beauty and the Beast. V is one of the most interesting characters in recent film history. V has had an insane amount of time to practice sword fighting (his favorite film is The Count of Monte Cristo); read (he has stolen quite a bit of literature); and is actually very charismatic. V for Vendetta provides the audience with both a compelling love story and an important political message against oppression by government. Natalie Portman delivers a powerful and remarkable performance (she even shaved her head for the role). While Hugo Weaving breaths life into V and makes him one of the most fun to watch, charismatic, and intriguing characters. Again, this film is very relevant to the current state of affairs and is interesting to watch during this time. It’s thought-provoking and brings to mind what our country was founded on and what it could become. The film focuses on censorship, robbed liberties, and the consequences of too much government control. Although a dramatization, the film encourages people to recognize their power rather than allow their governments to take it away. As V says, “People shouldn’t be afraid of their government. Governments should be afraid of their people.”


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