Voilà! In view, a humble vaudevillian veteran, cast vicariously as both victim and villain by the vicissitudes of Fate. This visage, no mere veneer of vanity, is a vestige of the vox populi, now vacant, vanished. However, this valorous visitation of a by-gone vexation, stands vivified and has vowed to vanquish these venal and virulent vermin van-guarding vice and vouchsafing the violently vicious and voracious violation of volition. The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta, held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous.
And thus, V proclaims himself to the heroine, Evey, in a movie that was just as much about ideas as the story itself. Based on the graphic novel by Alan Moore and David Lloyd, the film takes some liberties with regard to the story. In the book, V is actually much more villainous than the screen version depicts. Perhaps this may be a reason why Alan Moore’s name does not appear in any of the credits of the film. Moore has been known to be quite protective of his work, to the point of a raging ego. I can empathize in some ways, as I sometimes feel that way about my own work.
Onto the film itself.
V for Vendetta portrays a man who is a victim of the society that has created him. Set in the future, but not a futuristic film, V for Vendetta displays what the world would be like, and especially what England would be like, had a power hungry dictator risen to power in Parliament. Throughout the movie we are given tip offs as to the happenings across the pond, as the “former” United States is currently ravaged by civil war. How this affects Canada and Mexico is unknown. The message of the film, and to a point, the book, is quite clear. It isn’t about the man, but the ideas the man holds dear. The use of symbols is very evident, as the scarlet V, the red on black of the Conservative Party and even the building of Parliament are displayed as symbols of hope, villainy and survival. But the question becomes, who is the villain and who is the one to give hope.
I found it very interesting how the Chancellor Suttler was made to look very much like Adolph Hitler, and the government that rose to power very much like the Nazi Party. Even the discarding of Prime Minister as the country’s leader to use the title of Chancellor. One can only imagine what happened to the Royal Family.
Through the film, and the book, we learn that the government was in fact responsible for the series of attacks and deaths that killed thousands of people. In truth, the government used the events to produce fear within the populace, and thereby making certain that the populace was controlled.
But, as with every society, when one individual finds an injust law, that individual will rise up. Introducing V.
Good evening, London. Allow me first to apologize for this interruption. I do, like many of you, appreciate the comforts of every day routine- the security of the familiar, the tranquility of repetition. I enjoy them as much as any bloke. But in the spirit of commemoration, thereby those important events of the past usually associated with someone’s death or the end of some awful bloody struggle, a celebration of a nice holiday, I thought we could mark this November the 5th, a day that is sadly no longer remembered, by taking some time out of our daily lives to sit down and have a little chat. There are of course those who do not want us to speak. I suspect even now, orders are being shouted into telephones, and men with guns will soon be on their way. Why? Because while the truncheon may be used in lieu of conversation, words will always retain their power. Words offer the means to meaning, and for those who will listen, the enunciation of truth. And the truth is, there is something terribly wrong with this country, isn’t there? Cruelty and injustice, intolerance and oppression. And where once you had the freedom to object, to think and speak as you saw fit, you now have censors and systems of surveillance coercing your conformity and soliciting your submission. How did this happen? Who’s to blame? Well certainly there are those more responsible than others, and they will be held accountable, but again truth be told, if you’re looking for the guilty, you need only look into a mirror. I know why you did it. I know you were afraid. Who wouldn’t be? War, terror, disease. There were a myriad of problems which conspired to corrupt your reason and rob you of your common sense. Fear got the best of you, and in your panic you turned to the now high chancellor, Adam Sutler. He promised you order, he promised you peace, and all he demanded in return was your silent, obedient consent. Last night I sought to end that silence. Last night I destroyed the Old Bailey, to remind this country of what it has forgotten. More than four hundred years ago a great citizen wished to embed the fifth of November forever in our memory. His hope was to remind the world that fairness, justice, and freedom are more than words, they are perspectives. So if you’ve seen nothing, if the crimes of this government remain unknown to you then I would suggest you allow the fifth of November to pass unmarked. But if you see what I see, if you feel as I feel, and if you would seek as I seek, then I ask you to stand beside me one year from tonight, outside the gates of Parliament, and together we shall give them a fifth of November that shall never, ever be forgot.
V is driven by revenge, and seeks vengence against those who did wrong unto him, and those like him. But V never even counted on Evey.
Evey Hammond is a common girl, attractive in her own right. She works for the BTN and has a few friends, and a nice flat in London. She never would have met V had she not been out one night and caught by Mr. Creedy’s Fingermen. This chance meeting changes so much, for both Evey and for V. Evey finds herself finding her inner strength. Granted, it came under the fabrication of false incarseration. And V finds someone for whom he can love. Sadly, V confesses his feelings for Evey, only at the point when he dies.
An excellent story, based on an excellent book. Normally, I am not one to read things by Alan Moore, as I find he is an egotist, much like I can’t stand Ann Rice, but such is my own opinion. However, I cannot ignore the works that Alan Moore has written in the past. V for Vendetta stands alongside the Watchmen as two great works from the late 20th Century. You cannot avoid reading them, because beyond the graphic visuals, there is a message in each. V for Vedetta moreso. For decades, comics and graphic novels were seen as the stuff of kids. Only children would read them. But during the 1980s something changed. Taking a cue from the 1970s when the “journalistic writing” of comics began (including the Green Lantern-Green Arrow Hard Travelling Heroes), a new batch of authors began to take the limelight. Moore was just one. Interesting note, most were from Britain.
V for Vendetta created a stirring tale, an emotional tale and held a strong message within. At times, the message was so strong, you ignored the visual effects (all of which were expertly done). V for Vendetta is one movie, and book, which cannot be passed up.
Hugo Weaving plays the voice of V, bringing life to the character in a way that was perfect. Natalie Portman plays the role of Evey Hammond, and does justice to the character. The film is just as much about Evey as it is about V. And the film is just as much about the little girl with glasses, the bar patrons, Gordon Deitrich, Valery, the soldiers, Chief Inspector Finch, and everyone else who played the largest role to the smallest. Like the idea, this film is about everyone, not just one man.
Remember, remember the 5th of November. The gunpowder, treason, and plot. I know of no reason why the gunpowder treason should ever be forgot.
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