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Tag Archives: Stephen Fry

V for Vendetta

12 Sunday Feb 2017

Posted by vinnieh in Movie Reviews

≈ 77 Comments

Tags

2000's, Action, Hugo Weaving, James McTeigue, John Hurt, Natalie Portman, Political Thriller, Stephen Fry, Stephen Rea, Thriller, V for Vendetta

Film Title

V for Vendetta

Director

James McTeigue

Starring

  • Hugo Weaving as V
  • Natalie Portman as Evey Hammond
  • Stephen Rea as Eric Finch
  • Stephen Fry as Gordon Deitrich
  • John Hurt as Adam Sutler

A provocative and very arresting political/action thriller based on a comic, V for Vendetta is a confronting movie that tackles a lot of controversial topics and ideas with a sense of style and a brain that is sometimes lacking from films usually on this nature.

In a futuristic version of London, chaos has blighted everything along with an oppressive government.v-for-vendetta-poster Being not dutiful to the ruling power results in imprisonment and death. Activists, homosexuals, and people of different races are frequently targeted just for being different. A virus has claimed many lives in the United Kingdom and Europe. Most prominently is the government in power, run by Adam Sutler; who exercises cruel control over nearly every aspect of the population’s lives. Evey Hammond is a meek young woman who works in a broadcasting company( that churns out propaganda to the people to keep them in line) is caught one night out after enforced curfew. The secret police threaten her and attempt to attack her, but someone comes to her rescue. That someone is V, a masked vigilante in a Guy Fawkes mask, who is skilled in swordplay and fighting. After saving Evey, he demonstrates his real purpose of spurning the population into revolution by blowing up the Old Bailey. The fascist like government doesn’t take very kindly to V’s actions, particularly when he later uses the broadcasting company that Evey works at to display his message of rising up. Every is caught in the middle of all of this and must decide where her loyalties lie. Meanwhile, Chief of Police Eric Finch investigates any leads he can into V, yet finds that his loyalty to the government may very well have been misplaced and manipulated over the years. V’s plans gather a quickening pace as he takes on the corrupt powers that be, with Evey becoming something of an unlikely ally and then ultimately a strong supporter of his cause.

The director, James McTeigue does an inspired and button-pushing job with his directions. He allows the political nature of V for Vendetta to take the centre stage and all the questions that go with it, while never sacrificing action in the process. The film is very much a thinking person’s film and while there are fight scenes and action, it never becomes repetitive because the essence of the story is kept intact. V for Vendetta presents an uncomfortable and shocking possibility of a future that is ruled with an iron fist and with extreme prejudice. vRacism, homophobia, the accountability of the powerful and the manipulative agendas of government all come under the spotlight and are never shied away from. This film raises many terrifying what if scenarios that tap into our fears of what the world could become, which isn’t outside the realm of possibility when you think about the countless changes that this world has endured. There is something even timely about the film as it deciphers how fear and panic can be spread and lead people to be threatened by those more powerful than them. Now there are those that will view V for Vendetta as a film that is propaganda or in some cases a dangerous film that advocates terrorism( which I have heard a number of people imply), but I wouldn’t say that the film goes really far with those things. Yes, the main character is someone who uses violence and devastation to make his point, but I think it is up to the individual person to form their own opinion on what the film is presenting and what message it puts across. That’s the way I view V for Vendetta, it can be read on a number of significant levels. Some won’t agree with what it has to say and others may take note, but in the end, isn’t a film supposed to get you thinking? Granted, it may bang the political drum a little too loudly at fleeting points, but the topics it brings up are definitely thought-provoking and stay with you for a long time afterwards. On the visual side, the colour scheme that largely features red, black and white is memorably hard-hitting yet oddly resplendent in execution; showing a world at its knees and the potential of change emerging with the presence of V from the shadows. And there is quite a lot of action going on in V for Vendetta, as the masked title character does brutal battle with other forces in strikingly shot fight scenes. A steady score rises in levels along with events, forming a somewhat rousing musical accompaniment to both V’s aims and Evey’s journey.

As the eponymous V and with only movement and voice to use, Hugo Weaving is masterful. His deep voice is utilized to maximum impact, investing the role of the masked V with an elegance and intelligence. He may be a character capable of lethal and fatal action, but there is something so immersive about him that you can’t help but watch. His graceful movements almost mirror those of a proficient dancer, as he glides with purpose and something deadly too. The part wouldn’t have been the same without someone of Hugo Weaving’s calibre in the role, he just completely embodies it. Natalie Portman is just as good in the role of Evey; whose encounters with V and the aftermath provide a lot of thrust of the narrative with Portman giving a range of feeling to the part that grows stronger and more pronounced as the film progresses. natalie-portman-v-for-vendettaIf you’re expecting the part of Evey to be someone who kicks ass and physically fights, you aren’t going to get that. And to think that misses the point that she is an ordinary woman thrust into difficult circumstances and forced to make a stand. Portman plays the journey of her subtly yet expressively, ensuring that there is a natural progression that is believable from scared girl to fearless woman ready to do something. Although her accent is a little shaky, that’s the only foible in the work from Natalie Portman( who memorably shaved her head for the part), who emerges with a strong performance of gathering gumption and depth. The excellent Stephen Rea is well-chosen for the role of the police chief, slowly peeling the layers of deceit back and going between being frightened of V and inspired by him. Solid support comes courtesy of Stephen Fry as a television host having to hide who he truly is and the late, great John Hurt as the imposing dictator with a whole lot of power.

A movie with a lot to say and the balls to go forth with it, V for Vendetta is a film that elicits discussion from many, due to the things it addresses and the ultimate message. For me, it is an engrossing film that while it has required action, puts the story first and packs a punch with its refusal to lessen the blow of what it covers.

Love & Friendship

14 Tuesday Jun 2016

Posted by vinnieh in Movie Reviews

≈ 47 Comments

Tags

2010's, Chloë Sevigny, Emma Greenwell, James Fleet, Jane Austen, Jemma Redgrave, Justin Edwards, Kate Beckinsale, Love & Friendship, Morfydd Clark, Period Comedy, Stephen Fry, Tom Bennett, Whit Stillman, Xavier Samuel

Film Title

Love & Friendship

Director

Whit Stillman

Starring

  • Kate Beckinsale as Lady Susan Vernon
  • Chloë Sevigny as Alicia Johnson
  • Xavier Samuel as Reginald DeCourcy
  • Morfydd Clark as Frederica Vernon
  • Emma Greenwell as Catherine Vernon
  • Justin Edwards as Charles Vernon
  • Tom Bennett as Sir James Martin
  • James Fleet as Sir Reginald DeCourcy
  • Jemma Redgrave as Lady DeCourcy
  • Stephen Fry as Mr. Johnson

An impressively witty period comedy that takes a largely underrated Jane Austen tale and showcases a naughtiness that is something different from her usual stories, Love & Friendship weaves a cunning and thoroughly amusing tale of one woman’s plot to maintain her position in society, no matter what the cost. Trust me, this is one of the funniest films I’ve seen in a while.

The setting is England in the 1790’s and Lady Susan Vernon is a widow. Occupying a precarious position in the class system since her late husband’s death and known for being a flirt with a bad reputation, we open with Susan leaving one home in which she has created chaos. Love and Friendship PosterShe invites herself to stay at her in-laws; her brother-in-law Charles who is more than happy to oblige, his wife Catherine, who cottons onto Susan’s ways and her brother the dashing and much younger Reginald. Susan, though trying to lay low as rumours spread of her indiscretions, is armed with a cunning plan while at the country home to ensnare a husband for her daughter and naturally herself. She finds that young Reginald, despite his initial reservations about her, has become enamoured with her which opens up an avenue of success. For her daughter, Susan has a candidate in the shape of Sir James Martin, who has a large fortune but little intellect. Lady Susan and ReginaldHer schemes begin to take effect, aided in no small part by her trusted confidante Alicia Johnson, who helps her best friend despite knowing that she could be reprimanded and sent back to America by her husband if she doesn’t sever ties with Susan. Yet when Frederica, who is significantly nicer and more shy than her mother, runs away from school and arrives at the country house, Susan’s plans begin to go pear-shaped as her shy daughter has no inkling to marry and is instead smitten with Reginald. It seems all the spinning of webs by the crafty Lady Susan is about to get a lot more complex than intended.

Love & Friendship takes its basis from a Jane Austen novella that was published posthumously, but thought to have been written well before her more famous later work, the likes of which have been adapted countless times for movies and television. Whit Stillman effortlessly brings the not so well-known story to the screen with aplomb and vigour. His direction is unfussy yet immersive; focusing mainly on the schemes and plots of the tale rather than being overrun by period splendour and pomposity. Saying that, costume design and set decoration is stupendously done and is worthy of all the praise it should get. Kate Beckinsale and Chloe SevignyThankfully, both elements of direction and decoration are supported on equally good footing, never letting one override the other and bringing out the period setting while reveling in a certain modernity to be found. One of these modern touches that was very funny was intertitles that introduced the characters and highlighted their motives, such a simple touch added a whole lot to the overall product. The ace in the pack of Love & Friendship is the script, that is as sharp as a rapier and unearths a sauciness rarely glimpsed in anything based on Austen’s material. Who knew something from the pen of Jane Austen could be so tart, cunning and cutting in the most delicious way? Well I for one loved seeing this different side to it and Stillman’s script captures the biting humour to a very excellent degree. A classical score that appears light and almost cosy acts as an ironic counterpart to Susan’s navigation and plots for those around her.

Where Love & Friendship really scores high points is in the casting and the respective performances. Lady SusanIn the lead role of the cunning yet seriously charming Lady Susan, Kate Beckinsale shines in what is her best performance to date. Beckinsale just has such zeal and devilish delight in the part that it’s hard to resist. The character of Lady Susan has no really redeeming features as she schemes away and has no moral compass; but there is something so likable about her that we fall under the spell of her, much like every other character does. Delivering pithy put downs, breaking hearts or explaining away any blame put on her, Kate Beckinsale fits the part of the manipulative Susan like a glove with her kittenish glee and delightful sauciness. Chloë Sevigny plays excellently against Beckinsale as her confidante who bored with her life is more than willing to listen into her scandalous plans for others and the danger of it all. Possessing both the good looks and the curious temperament, Xavier Samuel is very well cast as Reginald, who falls for Lady Susan’s feminine wiles despite his better judgement. Morfydd Clark contributes a gentle and sweet demeanor to the part of Frederica, who has no intention of following her mother’s manipulations in getting a husband. As the bemused in-laws of Lady Susan, Emma Greenwell as the suspicious wife and Justin Edwards as her husband that lets everything run its course are suitably great in their parts. Stealing the scene whenever he is present is Tom Bennett as the rich James Martin, whose financial wealth is not matched by his simple outlook and lack of knowledge. Tom Bennett as James MartinHe gets to say so many hysterical lines that you can’t help but laugh yet feel a bit of sympathy for the character, due in no small part because of Bennett’s winning comic timing. James Fleet and Jemma Redgrave in the supporting roles of Reginald and Catherine’s parents have a ball with what they are given and there is a funny cameo from Stephen Fry as Alicia’s older, disapproving husband.

Filled with fine acting, quick pacing and amusing exchanges, Love & Friendship is a film that is impossible to not be charmed and won over by. I genuinely cannot remember having so much fun watching a film in the cinema of late like I did when watching the witty Love & Friendship.

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