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As there was not much we were in a mood for last night, we settled down to watch ‘V for Vendetta‘. Its deals with a terrorist (or freedom fighter; you choose who is battling a totalitarian regime in a near-future vision of the UK (well, England). Rumour has it the original launch of 5th November 2005 was considered too close to the 7th July: When you see the film (and I highly recommend it), you’ll see why this must have some bearing of truth: Tube explosions, terror plots, muslims under attack, controlling government. This is the subject matter of a relevant and challenging film, and is a return to form for the Wachowski brothers after the botched Matrix sequels.

It’s a film with a simple and compelling message: People should not be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people. Taking basic ideas of a government with power, and an agenda, it cranks the dials up a few notches and moves the clock forward a few years, necessarily drawing on recent events in Iraq on the part of the US, and some of the new threats we’re being encouraged to worry about. Enter the solutions of ID cards, increased surveillance and detention without trial, and you’d be hard pressed to feel that this film wasn’t extremely relevant to modern day Britain.

Whilst I fear the publicity that surrounded this film misfired, I had heard of it on a few forums and discussion groups, and was looking forward for the right opportunity. It’s visually compelling, and Hugo Weaving (he of Elrond and the Matrix’s Agent Smith fame) is deliciously anonymous as the eponymous “V”. Natalie Portman shattered a few illusions in her role as the rescued Evey. “V”, taking the ‘idea’ of Guy Fawkes as a heroic freedom fighter (rrright), is attacking the Big Brother world that exists, and challenging people to stand up and be counted. The ‘terrorist or freedom fighter’ is interesting too, and one very applicable to the current situation in Iraq.

Anybody with an interest in current affairs, who wants to watch a challenging but entertaining and enjoyable film, rather than much of the dross and remakes served up by major studios these days, will - I’m certain - enjoy this film. Excellent all around from the very start to finish.

Such films really don’t come along very often, much less ones based in Britain, and so relevant to recent headlines.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, November 8th, 2006 at 1:13 pm and is filed under Media, Movies, UK. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.