V for Vendetta (McTeigue, 2OO6)
The villains of James McTeigue and the Wachowski Brothers version of V for Vendetta are uninteresting. There is nothing new or different in this version of another dystopian future. The hero, however, is new and problematic. What are we to make of this freedom fighter that would imprison his only friend to destroy her fear.
And what do we make of the fact that in this world terrorism works, terrorism can be good. At what stage must we become freedom fighters, no matter what the cost.
The film also has a very interesting take on homoexuality, and turning as it does on a lesbian love story, in an action film no less, it may actually make a stronger movie forward for gay rights than Brokeback Mountain ever could. V may indeed be the first gay superhero, and if he is embraced I think perhaps that is worth more than gay cowboys.
As a film, it is a wonderful entertainment, with good turns by Weaving and Portman. But mostly it wants to be a film of ideas, one that raises interesting issues. And while the high minded might find it banal, and the low miss the point all together, I was and am thinking about the film. And that is the best I can ask of the cinema.
Current 2006 Top Ten:
1. A Prairie Home Companion
2. Dave Chapelle's Block Party
3. V for Vendetta
4. Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World
5. American Dreamz
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
The villains of James McTeigue and the Wachowski Brothers version of V for Vendetta are uninteresting. There is nothing new or different in this version of another dystopian future. The hero, however, is new and problematic. What are we to make of this freedom fighter that would imprison his only friend to destroy her fear.
And what do we make of the fact that in this world terrorism works, terrorism can be good. At what stage must we become freedom fighters, no matter what the cost.
The film also has a very interesting take on homoexuality, and turning as it does on a lesbian love story, in an action film no less, it may actually make a stronger movie forward for gay rights than Brokeback Mountain ever could. V may indeed be the first gay superhero, and if he is embraced I think perhaps that is worth more than gay cowboys.
As a film, it is a wonderful entertainment, with good turns by Weaving and Portman. But mostly it wants to be a film of ideas, one that raises interesting issues. And while the high minded might find it banal, and the low miss the point all together, I was and am thinking about the film. And that is the best I can ask of the cinema.
Current 2006 Top Ten:
1. A Prairie Home Companion
2. Dave Chapelle's Block Party
3. V for Vendetta
4. Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World
5. American Dreamz
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
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