channeling Leonard Maltin: V for Vendetta

found this review of V for Vendetta on the blog of one of my literary heroes, William Gibson. Let me say I heartily recommend the film. It is challenging, relevant artifice. And it is a voice against a sort of shadow of totalarianism that we can almost see if we squint and let our vision defocus.

"There are people who are going to hate this movie; people who don’t like to think, the brain dead, the fools. Referencing the still unseen film, one member of a politically minded film forum was quick to declare: “You can’t make a movie about a terrorist now without endorsing bin Laden”. It’s that mindset, which has become so ingrained in all of us since 9/11, that makes V for Vendetta so unsettling. At times it almost feels like you’re watching something forbidden, like you’re seeing something you shouldn’t be allowed to see. It’s shocking that a movie like this, especially in these times, ever actually got made. It’s even more unbelievable that it was made by a major Hollywood studio. It’s fun to accuse Hollywood of liberal activism, but you don’t expect this kind of real filmmaking bravery from corporate America or a company like Warner Bros. It’s a purposefully uncomfortable film, one that will affect different people differently depending on what you bring in with you."

--Joshua Tyler, CINEMA BLEND

One can hate this movie for many reasons, but it is definitely not for those who want to be reassured that everything is fine.

For myself, I like the authors' comments in the graphic novel, penned in 80's England when Thatcher was prognosticating a conservative deathlock on government for the next century.

'This is a movie for people who don't turn off the news when the sitcoms and game shows are over.'

And one can love this movie for many reasons. It is well done. The Matrix brothers excel their opus and show their command of the art in the restraint of this film. It could have become cartoonishness so many times but rode the line without falling.

Natalie Portman performs with depth and rawness.

Hugo Weaving unleashes the talent of his voice as I have not quite heard before. It is magnified in how it must carry the main character and really the power of the whole itselfwithin istelf.

I wonder if many will understand how hard Hugo's performance is? How much virtuosity is in it. How so very few could ever try it and fewer still succeed. I doubt a typical Academy voter will get it. Maybe a few directors. I am glad for him.I don't go in for awards much, but I hope he get his acknowledgement for this work.