Meticulous consistency in a both physically and intellectually balanced plot.

Rating: 10/10 (20 June 2006)

The reason this movie qualifies as a masterpiece can be attributed for a large part to its meticulous consistency in the details of the plot. Some will only be noticed if seen more than once, for example such small details as the scratch wound on Eveys forehead, how it gradually heals, the way in which Evey hides under the bed (and someone is seen dragged away as viewed from underneath it in a similar fashion) or when the woman in the TV broadcast does NOT blink when seen in another bulletin (and consequently must be speaking the truth). In other parallels (Evey raising her arms in the rain similar as to when V escaped Larkhill in fire) we are clearly guided by flashbacks, but that is justified as it strengthens the message to be conveyed. Some other comparisons are in fact morbidly hilarious if you come to think of them: V saying the forbidden art he keeps is least of his problems while Gordon Dietrich argues the other way around when also hiding Evey (and to his peril is proved ultimately right). V never taking off his mask may be perceived as annoying, but what else would the story have turned into, a happy ending 'as only celluloid can deliver' ? And it is also clearly explained by V himself in his overly elaborate manner; he's burnt, you've seen his hands and the rest is left to the imagination, again consistency.
This movie is as if composed like a musical piece, with a very big arc spanning from the beginning up to the very end, with smaller arches covering the sub plots, thus it has repetitions: the demolitions, the killings, parallels : Valerie vs. Evey, Guy Fawkes vs. V and to some extent even V vs. Chancellor Adam Sutler whose mask is the TV he ever hides behind. You may not agree with all I have noticed here, but isn't that the characteristic of true art, that everyone can see his own story and values in it? Also this movie avoids patronizing its viewers since there's no clear notion of good and bad in it, notice V to lie blatantly to Evey ('you will return home safely') and in turn Evey tries to betray V at her first opportunity, despite her vows. I will leave most of the larger political message and its implications to some of our modern societies to the reader, but save to say it's going to be hard to do away with it as entertainment only. Combined with strong individual performances, as the audience is both satisfied in its physical cravings with the full exposure of Evey (not to say Portman, as with this kind of acting, you would almost fear for the actress not escaping clear) during all her emotional transitions, that without the need of any sexual graphic at this point (the two attempted rapes seen earlier did not go unnoticed but also reveal no nudity) shows her deprivation from humanness during her confinement and the regain of it shortly afterward in the defining scene (losing fear) and at the same time the audience is intellectually challenged by the eloquence and subtle (but arguably at other times very violent) manners of V with his mesmerizing speeches, we have an altogether solidly balanced, captivating movie.