Reflections on V for Vendetta

Now that it’s out on DVD, I thought I’d spend a moment making a comment about the Wachowski Brothers’ version of V for Vendetta.

And, just to remind Mr. Wasta, no, I did not like it.

Chief reason? The change of theme. The betrayal of one of Mr. Alan Moore’s most intriguing and difficult characters, the man himself, V. Contrary to what the WBs think, V is not interested in democracy. Oh, no. Quite plainly, he makes the claim vociferiously: both democracy and fascism have the same goal: control of the many by the few.

You may disagree with this point of view, but rest assured that is the point! To disagree! You don’t have to agree with V to enjoy or appreciate the work. V is an anarchist. The whole point of the book is hinged on that. V is idealistic and perhaps more than a little insane. Is he correct in his stance? That’s up to us to discuss and debate, but one thing is for sure: V is no fan of democracy. Anarchy is his true love, not Liberty.

There is a beautiful scene in the book–woefully missing from the film–in which V has a conversation with the statue of Lady Justice. He tells her, “I’ve found a new love, a new mistress.” Like I said, this beautiful scene, one of the most powerful in the book, is gone from the movie. Why? Because it undermines the entire theme of the film. V can’t be fighting for truth, justice and the American way if he blows up Lady Justice for her “infidelity” and runs off with his new mistress, “Anarchy.”

As illustrated by his TV speech from the book, again edited as to not undermine the jabs at the Religious Conservative Right, V asks the most important question: “Yes, they took your liberty and yes, they destroyed your lives… but who gave them that authority?” Moore’s question is powerful: Is Democracy really any better than Fascism when it ultimately reaches the same end?

Again, you can disagree with Moore (I certainly do not agree with all of his points), but by changing the character of V, the very fibre of what makes him what he is, they change the entire theme of the book, switching it to a parade for Democracy… completely ignoring the entire theme of Democracy/Fascism/SameThing that is at the heart of the book.

There is one part of the movie that moved me, brought my heart right up to my throat, and that’s Valerie’s Letter. Taken almost verbatim from the book, Alan Moore’s voice sang in that little five minute span, but only because it was Alan Moore’s voice and not the Wachowskis who were responsible for the convoluted, boring and confusing dialogue that dominated those abysmal Matrix sequels and that Gawd Awful “The Vitriol V‘s” monologue at the beginning of the film. They also chickened out on Evey’s final transformation… something I just cannot forgive.

Transforming a comic book to screen is not hard. Sin City is evidence of that. So are the Spider-Man movies and The Incredibles. Transforming Alan Moore’s work to screen shouldn’t be hard either. Especially V for Vendetta. Out of all of Moore’s work, V is by far the easiest to approach. After watching the Matrix sequels and this film, I am convinced the Wachowskis don’t get it, or, they do get it and they don’t care, which demonstrates a lack of respect for Moore’s work. Either way, they are dead to me. They had the opportunity to make a good Alan Moore film.

And they did make a good film: one that betrays the very message of the book.