Susan Hated Literature

Dir: Peter Weiland
Writ: Bridget O’Connor & Peter Straughan

• Gregg Sulkin - Bernie Reuben
• Helena Bonham Carter- Esther Reuben
• Eddie Marsan - Manny Reuben
• Peter Serafinowicz - Uncle Jimmy
• Stephen Rea - Dr. Barrie

It is the summer of 1966, and Bernie Reuben is looking forward to his Bar Mitzvah. All his life he has been overlooked and forgotten, by his family and by everyone else. This is his chance to shine and to become the centre of attention. But 1966 is also the year of the World Cup, and the date of his Bar Mitzvah is the same as final, and as the day grows closer and closer it appears that the English team will defy all predictions and make the final. This is the last thing Bernie wants, it’ll totally overshadow his big day.

This is a film based on “partially true” events, and it aims to be a comedy, but while there are some humourous moments overall it isn’t funny enough. It is fine, and watchable, and most of the performances are quite good, but it lacks that something that would make it a good film.

It is probably more of an entertaining film if you can appreciate all the footballing nostalgia, because there is some nice inter cutting of the action from the matches, but being from Ireland, watching England lift the world cup isn’t something that makes me shout for joy Although some of the footage is very entertaining, almost worth going to see the film solely to take a look at the football. But there isn’t enough for that justification, because the film does concentrate on Bernie and his trials and tribulations. Some of which will make you shrug in mehness, others are affecting, but in the main it is nothing special. That being said, it does have its charming, touching moments. It just wasn’t very memorable.

IMDb | DarkMatters | Alex Crawford on Film | MyMovies.net

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• Natalie Portman - Evey
• Hugo Weaving - V
• Stephen Rea - Finch
• Stephen Fry - Deitrich

I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by how good this film was. Then again I had been expecting rubbish, and as we all know low expectations makes it easier to appreciate an “alright” film.

The basic plot involves a future England, one with an authoritarian government, with curfews and Fingermen. An England created out of the fear of terrorist attacks, plagues, and war. An England where the government rule through fear.

So, no subtle messages for us today then

One November 5th, a date no longer remembered as Guy Fawkes night a terrorist, known only as V blows up the Old Bailey, a gesture to show that not everyone is content to let Chancellor Sutler continue in power. The rest of the film takes place over the next year, as V has called on all citizens to assemble and watch as he destorys parliment buildings the following November 5th.

I have never read the comics that this film is based on, so I can’t compare. But I will say that this is a really good film. There are flaws however. Keeping Hugo Weaving masked works on a certain level, but it also creates problems in identifying with the character. Maybe that was the point? Possibly something that works better in the book. Also Natalie Portman’s accent was all over the shop. And I never got the character of Evey, especially at the start of the film. Portman seemed quite wooden, and unbelievable in her portrayal, although this did change later on.

Mention must be made of Stephen Rea. I’ve always loved him as an actor, he has had some great roles, and he is wonderful as the “honest cop in a corrupt world.” His Finch is a character that the audience can clearly identify and empathise with, plus it means we get mention of Ireland

There are two main problems I have with this film. The first is that it is all so overt, and over the top. The parallels with Nazism and fascism do work, but wouldn’t they have been better is made a little subtler. Using the actual English flag would have had far greater impact, in my opinion. The over the top TV presenter Prothero however was perfect. England Prevails! Great stuff. The other problem is one that is a huge spoiler, Show Spoilers ▼

All in all I really enjoyed V for Vendetta. Over the top in places it is still a very effective film.

IMDb | Official Site | Rolling Stone | New York in Hollywood | Cole Smithy

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