I will Remember the Fifth of November

Rating: 10/10 (21 December 2007)

There are few times when I ever pronounce a movie so exemplary that I'm willing to see it more than once in a blue moon, and this is one of those times. V for Vendetta was a masterpiece of art, interwoven with symbolism, history, and ideology to create a mesh of cinematic artwork which surpasses anything the Shadow Gallery may have to offer.
The movie's premise is relatively simple. Driven out of fear and madness, the populace of Great Britain elects a political party into power known as Norsefire following a series of terrorist attacks which were, unbeknownst to them, orchestrated by their own government. The religious fundamentalist government proceeds to cull "undesirables", such as homosexuals, Muslims, and cripples, and installs a totalitarian dictatorship in place free of political dissent. A lone man known as V arises out of the ashes of the cullings and plants the seed of revolution in the people, out of revenge.
V's character, played by Hugo Weaving, is enigmatic and yet surprisingly eloquent for a man with a mask. As Evey said, "You cannot kiss an idea", but V in himself exists as an idea - revolution - which inspires an oppressed people out of apathy. Natalie Portman's performance as Evey Hammond is no less brilliant, as she shows her emotions raw and clear.
What sets this movie apart from similar predecessors is its complete deference to the style of the Wachowski brothers, both cinematically and lyrically. Not only is it able to tell a good story, despite taking liberties from the comic book (which in my opinion was far less intriguing than the movie), it is able to put it in a cinematic medium which appeals to the eye and holds in itself a hint of surprise. For the average viewer, it dulls down abstruse concepts into a potent form consumable by your average Joe, and still manages to keep the intellectuals engaged by the interplay of ideas within the film. We are never fully endowed with the true workings of the society or V's mind, much as in the Brothers' previous Matrix films we remain semi ignorant of the societal workings of the machines, and this only peaks our curiosity.
V for Vendetta is a delight, but I will not say that it is a fleeting one. Watching the movie can be empowering in many ways, and if nothing, it's a treat for the eyes.