The Frame

I’m not entirely sure how I feel about this film overall. Technically, it’s gorgeous. The effects are great, the money shots are nice (I’m particularly partial to the domino effect making the “V” logo), and I’m always glad to watch Natalie Portman in anything. But the story of anarchist V plotting to blow up the English Parliament, now the center of a right-wing Fascist government…I don’t know. Let’s just say that though I sympathize with V wanting to do something drastic to eliminate an obviously corrupt and dictatorial government, but I’m not comfortable that blowing it up is the proper measure, either in and of itself or in light of his apparent complete lack of plan for the aftermath. Fascist governments and dictatorships rise up out of fear of anarchy…by using anarchist ideology to get rid of a government, you’re only letting yourself in for worse. And it especially made me uncomfortable knowing that the fascist government in the film is meant to be a comment on our own government and its ties to the religious right. Again, the narrative worked well, flowed well, and I did enjoy watching the film. But its ideology is rather scary.
Above Average