So begins an ambiguous friendship between Evey and V. I won’t say more on the story, just as to not ruin it for anyone, but you can trust me that the Wachowskis have canned a home-run of a script and story. V is out to rid England of its oppressive government which is bluntly put, George Bush’s wet dream. Homosexuality is forbidden, having a Q’ran is punishable by death. Music, movies, art are undesirable. The BTN (British News Network) seems to be the only TV channel. And it’s a big propaganda machine, like FOX News on not as much crack you might think.
The director James McTeigue is bloody brilliant and knows how to work with the brothers, since he was their assistant director on the Matrix Trilogy and was also assistant director for other big budget movies such as Star Wars: Episode II and Dark City. But you can see his style is greatly influenced by the Wachowskis.
The script is, of course, a coup de grace and could only be acted out by powerhouse actors. Portman was born to play such roles and she’s completely believable in the most tortuous scenes in which you would want to be the hero and save her from her plight. Weaving, a much underrated actor, can display emotion through a mask. I know not of many actors who could do so. One could probably recognise him even with the sound muted. He’s of course sarcastically hilarious. He can deliver verbiage like no other actor. I didn’t think I could take someone in a Guy Fawkes outfit seriously, but damn he’s just too good and delicious. Both play against each other with much chemistry.
Other powerhousers include, John Hurt as Adam Sutler, supreme chancellor of England. He gives the over-the-top dictator performance of all time. With the exception of one scene, he’s always seen on a display screen towering over his underlings, sweating in fear, or giving a Hitlerian speech to crowds with red drop-down flags and troops.
Chief Inspector Finch is stoically played by Stephen Rea as he investigates the initial bombing and finds a greater conspiracy and soon realises how over his head all this is, just how big the conspiracy really is.
Stephen Fry, the narrator of A Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, plays Deitrich, a fear-closeted gay TV host trying to hold up appearances to keep his livelihood and wealth but easily embarks on a Benny Hillesque tirade against the chancellor on his show, ridiculing him as a buffoon, inspired by V’s actions.
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Article comments
1 - magicalmarty
Your review, David, couldn't have done the movie more justice. Perfectly succinct. V would be proud :)