Beyond the adaptation of Alan Moore's Comic, an Amazing piece of Cinematography

Rating: 10/10 (21 March 2006)

Adapted from the homonymous comic from the genius Alan Moore (also author of the "Watchmen", which is also to be ported to screen if memory serves), V for Vendetta has met and went beyond my hopes both as an entertainment piece, and a true film in all the meanings that count.
In a not so future post Apocalyptic world, with the setting based in England -and more specifically London-, the story focuses on two characters upon which the fate of all England, and maybe more, will be decided. We are told that following a civil war in the US, and an atrocious terrorist attack with Bio-Chemical weapons which ended up killing more than 100.000 innocents, a Dictatorship is now present in England. Chancelor Sutler, helped by a "shadow council", akin to a new Hitler or Mussolini, rules with a fist of iron -without the eponymic glove- and uses very expeditive and violent means to "purge" England from what is undesired. From Homosexuals to political opposition, the parallel to WWII is clear. But let us go back to the movie, after an enigmatic line is delivered to us: "Remember, remember, the fifth of November, The gunpowder treason and plot. I know of no reason why gunpowder treason should ever be forgot", we follow a young woman in the streets of London. Our first character, Evey, works for a TV station. And it is in a dark alley, as she is surprised by the curfew, that V -our second character- will save her from a very dark fate at the hands of Sutler's militia (very reminiscent of the WW2 Italian militias, only lacking the black bandanna on their arm). V, all in black and with a mysterious smiling mask, has indeed a Vendetta with the current government, and beyond this, he wants to awaken people from their slumber and let them see that their fear, more than their bonds, is preventing them from being free. With Evey, V decides he may have found a precious ally. Even if an unwanting one...
Many people have linked the political background to current US events (and government). I happen to think it is much more subtle than this (the televangelist introduction must also be seen as Sutler's government current in-movie propaganda, and not a view of the makers of V). V takes us farther than a criticism of the current governments, it asks questions -and gives the authors answers, without moralizing- about timeless and important facts of the human life. Is Freedom (physical, of speech, political) important ? What would we give up for Freedom, our lives ? Does an arguably good end justify all means ? Can a government akin to Hitler's rise again ? Among a society dominated by Fear, what is the importance of Education and Culture ?
On top of that brilliant screenplay, the acting was very good, with -amazingly enough- an incredible Hugo Weaving as 'V' who made the character so much more than a Vigilante dressed in black with a mask. He gives the Hero a true personality, and the dialogues are simply wonderful. Nathalie Portman is mostly equally good, with maybe some weaker dialogues toward the end. The photo, the effects, and the settings were pretty much perfect, the score accompanying the images flawlessly. A movie with both Form and Depth, -and- good dialogues ? That is rare enough to be noted and appreciated.
A Very Valiant and Valuable Venture by Virtue of 'V' 's Vibrant Vanguard !!