Duck: V for Vendetta may not be categorized as a romance movie, but for me it really ducking is. But the romance in this movie is more complex than a kipper-stuffed goldfish sandwich—
Star: And more meaningful.
Duck: That depends on how much you love a kipper-stuffed goldfish sandwich.
Star: Anyway, YES, V for Vendetta is super-ducking complex, especially when it comes to the romance at its heart. But the romance itself is part of the movie’s broader theme—rebellion against forces that seek to oppress humans, including those from marginalized backgrounds.
Duck: I always forget that V for Vendetta is SO political.
Star: You do? Why on earth?
Duck: Mostly because I’m so bedazzled by Natalie Portman and Hugo Weaving. They’re super-ducking brilliant in those roles!
Star: HUGE fan. But without giving spoilers, even the romance in this movie is political. And the politics are non-stop, though NEVER too much. V for Vendetta is one of those films that makes you ask questions. Can you stand by in society while your government oppresses and kills whoever they choose? What is TRUE freedom? What is TRUE love? Can you love a person who does something terrible to you in the hopes that it will liberate you? If you’re a sighted person, can you fall for someone who, some might say, you never actually *see*?
Duck: V always wears a classic Guy Fawkes mask. (Yes, the film draws on Great Britain’s gunpowder plot, which, historically, attempted to bring down the government.) But some very smart ducks might argue that we see V more because of his mask.
Star: Right! His mask is his face. He tells us that. It’s a reminder that reality and identity are ours to create—in fact, this becomes a theme. And given our political environment right now, especially in the U.S.A, it’s vital that we remember this. V is a true hero, no matter how flawed, because he compels us to create, survive, defy evil, be different, be strong.
For me, the most romantic point in the story is when Evey (Natalie Portman) adoringly treats V’s mask as his true face—which, of course, it is.
Duck: Side note: if V was a duck wearing a human mask, that wouldn’t make it his real face.
Star: It would if he was human-identified.
Duck: But then he wouldn’t be a duck.
Star: Stellar point.
Duck: Anyway, probably the BEST reason to watch V for Vendetta right now is, like almost anything written by the Wachowskis, its quactivist … or indeed activist … heart.
Star: So true. For many of us, the times may feel frightening, oppressive. We may fear what’s to come and what’s to be taken away. But V for Vendetta teaches us about that “one small inch”—the part of us that can never be oppressed or erased. The part of us that will act for others, even when it’s scary. If you want to be reminded of your power, no matter what those who *seem* to be in power may do, V for Vendetta is a monumental watch. Its overwhelming bravery and heart are a balm when we wish to remember our true power and where it really lies.
Duck: But there are no ducks in the film.
Star: Yes, it’s sadly lacking in duck representation.
Duck: On the other flipper, V for Vendetta is pretty ducking good at lesbian and gay representation.
Star: Plus disability is well-represented in the movie. The hero himself has survived a life-threatening illness that has made him non-normative in terms of his presentation and more.
Duck: Diversity wise, we’d have liked to see more actors of color though.
Star: Agreed!
Duck: And ducks.
Star: Because if you’re a movie without a major duck star, are you ever truly paddling in diversity’s pond?
Duck: I’ll raise my flipper to that!
Star: V for Flippetta, coming to a movie theater near you!
Duck: Now you’re talking my pondweed sandwich. (That’s Duckney Rhyming Slang.)
At the time of writing … and quacking … you can watch V for Vendetta here:
Google Play (rental)
YouTube (rental)
Fandango (rental)
Amazon Prime (rental)
Apple TV (rental)
Featured image: Images of V (Weaving) and Evey (Portman) taken via screenshot from IMDB. Image designed in Canva by Star Tavares.
Romancey Pants 