Strange and Compelling

Rating: 7/10 (5 January 2009)

I was hesitant about seeing this film at the time of its release - the reviews, after all, were very mixed. But I did pick it up on cheap DVD recently, and glad I am that I did.
The film is set in Britain of the future, a fascist dictatorship under the control of "High Chancellor Sutler" (John Hurt) who seized his chance when the US collapsed into civil war to play on people's fears and establish himself in more or less absolute power.
The "V" of the title refers to a figure wearing a Guy Fawkes mask who turns up at an opportune moment, to rescue the heroine, Evey, who is about to be assaulted by three of the thuggish Fingermen, a kind of auxiliary police force about as unlike the traditional British bobby as it is possible to imagine.
The film has many pleasures. Splendid performances from pretty well everybody - particular praise should go to Hugo Weaving, who never shows his face and must act using only speech and body language - a witty script and good use of music all combine well. Its topicality, in these days of the "War on Terror", is also to its advantage.
It is never boring, but often moving. The only thing that spoils it for me is the rather silly fireworks display that blew up the Houses of Parliament. Some might find the result gratifying, but the overall effect was childish.
A film well worth seeing nonetheless. Rating: 7/10