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Reflections on the puddle of life

V for Vendetta

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by
TheFifthElement
, 06-25-2010 at 07:00 AM (1442 Views)
We watched this movie the other weekend. I always forget how much I love it. Yes, Natalie Portman's accent is a bit ropey sometimes, and John Hurt is a little OTT, but those minor niggles aside it's a fantastic movie.

Based in London, under the pall of a dictatorship, V for Vendetta tells the story of a terrorist (freedom fighter?) known only as 'V' who dresses all in black and wears a Guy Fawkes mask and has a penchant for blowing up public institutions. Then V meets Evey (Natalie Portman) and the course of his story changes.

But I don't want to tell you too much about it, that's not why I'm blogging about this movie. What I do want to do is share with you this scene, probably one of my favourite scenes from any movie, which is a perfect blend of context, fine acting, music and meaning.

Because it moves me, in so many ways.

Because on the surface V for Vendetta is a straightforward movie, but the more you watch it the more layers of meaning unfold. It's taken me until now to pick up on the Buddhist themes in this scene, but there they are and now it seems I was blind not to have noticed them earlier.

I apologies for the slightly spoiler-ish nature of the clip, for those who haven't seen the movie it does give a little away. That being said, knowing what it's about and what happens in it has never spoiled it for me.

And kudos to Natalie Portman proving, again, that she's an actress worthy of something much better than Star Wars (Leon, anyone?), and to Hugo Weaving for turning an expressionless mask into a tortured soul.

Hope you enjoy.

God is in the Rain
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Comments

  1. applepie's Avatar
    I now feel the need to watch this again. It's been some time, and I'll admit to not catching all the nuances on the first go around.
  2. The Comedian's Avatar
    Love this move too Fifth -- that scene is a nice parallel too to V's creation, which was in fire.

    I'm sure you know that this film was based on the Graphic novel by Alan Moore and David Lloyd -- originally published in the early 1980s. A great read too, that.

    EDIT: just a quick note -- I believe that Moore originally set the book in the then, distant future, of 1997.
    Updated 06-25-2010 at 09:35 AM by The Comedian
  3. qimissung's Avatar
    That's so beautiful. I've seen the movie, but it's been awhile. I'd love to see it again. Natalie can act, and I remember being deeply impressed with Mr. Weaving.
  4. mtpspur's Avatar
    As a side note V for Vendetta originally appeared in chapters of a British magazine called Warrior which brought Alan Moore to the attention of the public. The story was interrupted by cancellation about two thirds completed and thanks to DC Comics was completed YEARS later in a comcs series before its final collected graphic novel release. Was a long journey and well worth the effort. Always liked V better then Watchmen.
  5. The Comedian's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by mtpspur
    As a side note V for Vendetta originally appeared in chapters of a British magazine called Warrior which brought Alan Moore to the attention of the public. The story was interrupted by cancellation about two thirds completed and thanks to DC Comics was completed YEARS later in a comcs series before its final collected graphic novel release. Was a long journey and well worth the effort. Always liked V better then Watchmen.
    I never knew that. Thanks for passing that info along. And, I too like V better than Watchmen, but I still like Watchmen a hellova lot.
  6. mtpspur's Avatar
    Well the cutoff was jarring--Evey escapes from her prison to discover WHO her jailor was. Warrior also published Alan Moore's Marvelman series which was (for 1982) VERY ahead of its time. The series is well worth collecting and was a bright spot in the black and white comics mags of the time. Warrior was roughly 1982 -1984 with a four year gap when DC finished V in a 10 issue series--I remember impatiently waiting for them to get the already published material out of the way and get to the NEW stuff. Moore's Marvelman had his own odyessey of on and off publishing. Check out the covers on Grand Comics Database (for Warrior) and just about any comic ever published.
    Updated 06-26-2010 at 07:23 PM by mtpspur (added some info)
  7. OrphanPip's Avatar
    It's one of the better comic book adaptations out there. I haven't had a chance to read V, but I'd probably enjoy it more than Watchmen as well. I really wasn't that enthused about Watchmen after I finished reading it.
  8. AuntShecky's Avatar
    My daughter gave me a DVD of this movie. I had trouble at first hearing the sound track, but then it was okay. The acting was first rate. I was glad to see Stephen Rea even though it was a relatively small part, and Natalie Portman's acting skill surprised me. She's really talented, not just another pretty face. The script was great; it goes deeper than a mere comic book story, just like the Batman sequel starring Heath Ledger. But, gad-- How disturbing!
    What bothered (scared) me is that I saw parallels of that oppressive society in real life, but I guess that was the point.
  9. kiz_paws's Avatar
    My gawd, Fifth -- this is my all time favorite movie. I am glad to hear that you so enjoyed it.
    I ALWAYS get tears in my eyes right about when Evey says "God is in the rain" ...
    Cheers,
    K♥zzo