'V' for victorious:
Controversial new film is first-rate
By Jon Chattman, for thecheappop.com
MARCH 14, 2006- For years, films based on comic books have gotten a bad rap and rightfully so. Did we really need to see Richard Pryor playing a villain in a lame "Superman" sequel? No. What about Dolph Lundgren in black leather as "The Punisher?" No one needs to see that (and few did). But, something has happened in recent years in cinema. While there still is plenty of superhero celluloid clunkers like "The Fantastic Four," filmmakers like Sam Raimi, Bryan Singer, and Christopher Nolan have revitalized the genre. "Spiderman II," the first two "X-Men" films, and "Batman Begins," have proven there can substance in the storytelling of men in tights, and thankfully "V For Vendetta," the new politically charged film based loosely on the DC Comics' graphic novel by Alan Moore, joins that select company.
The film, which opens Friday, March 17 (postponed from a November 2005 release due to the London bombing attacks last fall), takes place in Great Britain, a fascist state ruled by Chancellor Adam Sutler (John Hurt), who runs a government that is always watching, and handily punishes its citizens if their actions are deemed unacceptable under standards they have set. In essence, people fear Sutler and their government, but that's all about to change. The story unfolds with Evey Hammond (Natalie Portman in yet another remarkable performance), a young woman who is rescued from assailants by a masked man, who lets her in on his plan. The man, who calls himself "V," dresses in black and hides behind a Guy Fawkes mask, is on a mission: He wants the people to overthrow the government. "People should not be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people," he tells her. Before long, V makes a statement and takes to the airwaves telling people in a year, Nov. 5 to be exact ("Remember, remember the fifth of November"); he'll blow up Parliament. In essence, V is a freedom fighter that terrorizes a government who terrorizes its citizens with tyranny and oppression. As months, weeks, and days go by leading up to Nov. 5, the government, notably an antiestablishment agent Finch (Stephen Rea) and Evey uncover V's motives. His actions are all about revenge, and are connected with a disheartening governmental cover-up that's also quite personal.
Andy and Larry Wachowski, the men behind "The Matrix" trilogy, a series lost on this reviewer, deserve all the credit here for creating a captivating story that makes you think: something that's lacking in today's films. Matched with the script, first time director James McTeigue, who was a part of "The Matrix" production team, matched with production designer Owen Paterson, create an authentic dark Orwellian world. The performances better the material. Anyone who has seen her in "The Professional," "Beautiful Girls," "Closer," and "Garden State," know that Portman is an accomplished actress who doesn't need a blue screen. The "Star Wars" prequels failed to capitalize on her talents, but thankfully this film is able to show her range. Spotty accent aside, Portman, who's wrongfully getting more press for shaving her head for the role, nicely shows her character's progression from a vulnerable young woman to a fearless heroine. Her performance is matched by "The Matrix" and "Lord of the Rings" star Hugo Weaving as V. That's quite phenomenal when you consider he's able to create raw emotions behind a mask the entire time. The supporting work is also terrific, but it's Rea and Stephen Frey as Evey's boss Deitrich who standout. The latter is especially memorable.
"V For Vendetta" is the first great film of 2006. Like "Batman Begins," it's not merely all action. There's a lot of raw emotion and great relevant storytelling here. In an age where President George W. Bush's approval ratings are sinking by the minute and terrorism is always a threat, I can't think of a more relevant film to come out this year or any year for that matter. It'll be interesting to see how the public reacts to it.
No comments:
Post a Comment