I enjoyed this film very much.

Rating: 9/10 (23 November 2012)

In fact, I'll make a prediction: THIS FILM WILL BECOME A CULT CLASSIC. Of this I have no doubt. After several viewings for friends, my most recent one on Thanksgiving day with an English friend, revealed many fascinating things about the movie that I had no prior knowledge of that I'd care to share. For example, the protagonist, Guy Fawkes, was an actual person, a revolutionary who attempted to blow up Parliament when he believed the government had become too corrupt, in the 1600's. In fact, the Brits still celebrate the occasion on November the fifth, the same date in the film, and apparently, their own fourth of July. Most of the great character actors in the piece were top British actors as well, including a brief but superbly nuanced role of the female doctor, portrayed by Sinead Cusack, who is actually Jeremy Irons' wife, another interesting point of interest. I enjoyed the diminutive, waifish, Natalie Portman in the main role, her English accent learned in just two weeks, and "one of the best" in my English guest's opinion, adding another interesting note. But far and away, in my opinion this film belonged to the wonderful Hugo Weaving, who actually replaced the original star, who while into the sixth week of shooting, had to quit the picture due his growing claustrophobia in wearing the iconic mask in each and every scene. Hugo, who had to originally turn down the plum role because of previous commitments, then had the auspicious good luck of stepping into the role after that. Stephen Rea turns in another terrific and understated performance as the long suffering head investigator. And did I mention the WONDERFUL, EXQUISITE AND SPECTACULAR acting turn provided by Stephen Fry?? Being a gay AND an atheist, he brings so much of his real life history into the role that the performance never fails to move me. This man is a deep soul, and his intelligence and sensitive portrayals illuminate each and every role he's involved in. Casting him for this part was a decision of pure genius. My only nitpick of the entire film was it's length, which I felt was a little excessive. But a fine movie nonetheless, with kudos to James McTeigue.