"Then you have no fear anymore, you are completely free."

Rating: 9/10 (3 April 2006)

Is terrorism enacted against a terrorist government acceptable? That is the central haunting question presented in "V For Vendetta", a stylish thriller nominally adapted from the comic book of the same name. That the film comes out now is not surprising, what is though is that the source material was originally published in 1988/89, pre-dating by a decade a global world in which terrorism has become a household word.
Comparisons drawn to Nazi Germany are probably apt, as the film's reining government and it's leader Sutler (John Hurt) have succeeded in convincing the masses what to sleep, eat and think. The revelation of Sutler's inhuman plot to save his country's citizens from a self induced plague that killed eighty thousand people seems utterly unbelievable, yet a real life Hitler found it prudent to kill nearly eight times as many to insure racial hegemony. It's interesting to note that the level of V's violence was tempered to each victim's own arrogance and complicity. Dr. Surridge (Sinead Cusack) as an example was already dead before she even knew it, dispassionate in the knowledge of her guilt and almost welcoming it.
In a field of outstanding portrayals, Natalie Portman excels as the tormented accomplice Evey Hammond. Her performance arcs over an entire spectrum of characterizations and emotions, and not once did I feel her reactions were forced or unnatural. She grows Evey from an ambivalent, unthinking member of the hive to a leader, with more courage and determination than allowing herself credit for. It will be interesting to see if she's given credit for her performance a year from now in the next Academy Award go round.
The film prompts me to seek out the trade paperback of the original story as scripted by Alan Moore in a ten issue run. My curiosity is also piqued as to Moore's public disavowal of the movie, for that I'll have to learn more. Also while still on the subject, the movie's opening credits Vertigo, an imprint of DC Comics, which was not involved in the original publication.
With a movie of such complexity, another viewing is probably a worthwhile endeavor to pick up the threads that might have been overlooked the first time around. However if all you're interested in is an action movie, this is one you probably want to stay away from. Action it has, but it's the subtext and message that should be grabbing you, not the wizardry of flashing weapons.