Better as swashbuckling drama than as political commentary

Rating: 7/10 (17 March 2006)

ZORRO MEETS 1984 - a film review by Robert Fleeman.
There is a common phrase known in conservative circles on the internet which is identified by the acronym BDS. The letters are short for "Bush Derangement Syndrome." It identifies anyone whose extreme hatred of President George W. Bush blinds them to the point that rationality no longer applies. To these individuals and organizations, Bush isn't just wrong about everything, he is simply the root of all evil.
I wouldn't go so far as to identify the Wachowski Brothers as sufferers of this condition, but their latest effort: V For Vendetta, certainly shows some symptoms of the disease. Based on the graphic novel by Englishman Alan Moore, who intended his work as an criticism of the conservative Thatcher administration, this adaptation contains numerous swipes at the current American administration. References to dominating a people through a climate of fear, torturing dissidents and rounding up homosexuals are no doubt meant as metaphors for the Bush presidency. In this movie, simply being identified as a conservative is the same thing as being evil.
Fortunately, if you are not politically oriented, it is possible to enjoy this swashbuckling tale of a lone warrior who fights against a totalitarian government which has taken hold of England in the near future. Identified only as V, this knife-wielding avenger is never seen without his costume or Guy Fawkes mask. For those who don't know, Guy Fawkes was an English nobleman who plotted with others in the early 17th century to blow up the English Parliament. Apparently, the event is mockingly celebrated every year in England, on the fifth of November. The reference for V is appropriate, given that he has similar plans for the current government which bears great resemblance to Nazi Germany and the fictionalized regime found in George Orwell's book 1984.
V (Hugo Weaving) is a lone warrior until he meets Evey (Natalie Portman), a young and beautiful woman he rescues one evening from despicable members of the secret police. She inadvertently becomes his protégé, assisting V in his efforts to get to certain representatives of the government, corrupt clergy and willing members of the media. It turns out that V's efforts aren't just political, but also heavily personal as he seeks revenge for events earlier in his life.
A counterpoint storyline follows the efforts of two detectives, one played by Stephen Rea, to discover the identity of V. The closer the two come to figuring out who V is, the more they become convinced that he isn't the real problem. John Hurt also stars as Chancellor Adam Sutler, the diabolical leader of the brutal regime. Hurt also starred in the film version of 1984, playing a victim of the totalitarian state.
Hugo Weaving, best known as Mr. Smith in the Matrix movies and the elf king in the LOTR trilogy, does quite well given the limited opportunity to act behind V's porcelain mask. His soft, mannerly English accent is a nice counterpoint to the bizarre getup that is both stunning and funny at the same time. Natalie Portman continues her fine work (outside of the recent Star Wars trilogy), having to maintain an English accent for the duration of the film. She also undergoes a stunning physical transformation that dramatically alters her appearance.
One of the things that I did like about this film is the fact that V isn't presented as just a heroic figure. He is a truly obsessed man, wrapped up in his own world, bearing more than a passing resemblance to the Phantom of the Opera. He does quite a few things in this movie that will make you question whether or not you should be rooting for his character. In some ways the true heroine of the piece is Evey.
The film drags a little bit in the middle, but for the most part keeps the interest level high, as it is a fresh take on an old concept. I just wish the film makers would have left out references to current politics. It was an unnecessary inclusion and only serves to alienate a significant portion of the audience. This seems to be a continuing theme for me lately, as so many politicized movies have come out lately, all leaning heavily to the left.