"V For Vendetta"

An unusual film for this day and age, with the War On Terror at the forefront of everyone’s mind.

A bleak look into the future of fascist government control, V For Vendetta contains a number of allusions to how the media – particularly news broadcasts – can be manipulated by the government to mislead and misinform. A good example:

“Do you think people will buy this?”
“Of course they will. It’s not our job to fabricate the news. That’s the government’s job.”

An Orwelian look at the future, for sure, but this movie is more than mere entertainment. A damning indictment of government corruption, media manipulation, and oppression. In this world that has become twisted by bigoted talking-heads into “believing” that the alternative (art, music, homosexuality) is deviant and treasonous, it takes a monster created through monstrous means - to paraphrase from the movie - to bring the oppressors to their knees.

Hugo Weaving is spectacular as V, the titular terrorist-hero. His grasp of the English language is exemplary and his performance flawless. It’s a real shame he won’t get an Oscar for this as he continues to impress audiences with every role he accepts. Natalie Portman, as Evey, is equally good, her English accent sounding almost there, and not at all Dick Van Dkye-ish (praise the Movie Gods for that small mercy).

Exploring the relationship between V and Evey, his brutal quest to make her fearless and strong, from the moment he saves her from two Fingermen (government sneaks) at the start, until the very end, they have suprisingly good chemistry considering one looks like an animated mannequin.

Overall, this movie is one that should entertain as well as make people think about terrorism and the modern, oh-so-narrow idea of what that word means, and who it refers to.

Thought-provoking, engaging, visually spectacular and engaging. A must see.

vforvendetta.warnerbros.com

"Capote"

The film chronicles Truman Capote’s pursuit of his great story – the murder of a family in late 1940-50s rural Kansas, trying to get into the minds of the two killers. In Cold Blood was the last book Capote ever finished, and turned him into the most famous author in America.

A good commentary on the mindset of an investigative journalist who lets the story consume him. His methods and demeanour throughout the movie eventually push many of his closest friends away from him, as he becomes more focussed. This is especially the case for his brilliant researcher, Harper Lee (Catherine Keener), who later leaves his employ as her novel To Kill A Mockingbird takes of and is made into a movie – something Truman “can’t really see what all the fuss is about”.

Towards the end of the movie, Capote has changed from the enthusiastic writer, eager to write the greatest story ever told, to someone praying for the death of his subjects, wishing it all to end – convinced that without their execution, he can’t finish his book. What makes the events more traumatic for him is that he's fallen in love - to an extent - with Perry White (Clifton Collins Jr.), the more demure and fragile-seeming half of the murderous duo. The relationship between the two is one based on deceit and avoidance, as both are not completely forthcoming with the other, as Truman finds out to his dismay when Perry reveals the truth about that fateful night at the farmhouse.

As a movie, Capote was actually quite dull. The plot meanders its way across the scene, alternating between scenes between Truman and Perry, Truman pontificating to anyone around him, and Truman feeling sorry for himself. The lack of any real soundtrack also makes the movie somewhat difficult to watch, when all you hear is Truman’s high, whiney voice coming through the speakers.

Philip Seymour Hoffman does, however, do an impeccable job at portraying Truman Capote. Arrogant, single-minded and manipulative, with a slight sinister air, he certainly earned his Oscar.