‘V For Vendetta’ leaves its mark

“V For Vendetta” is a film about masks, literal and figurative. One mask covers a man’s identity and motivation, another, that of a totalitarian government’s true face.

The man, known only as “V,” is a freedom fighter seeking, quite successfully to usurp the iron-fisted power the government has gained through fear mongering, masked as protection, over a cowed populace.

The film itself, based on the graphic novel by Alan Moore and David Lloyd, masquerades as an action-thriller, which though it certainly is that, is also a bracing modern political allegory.

“V For Vendetta” is set in the near future where a series of political and social catastrophes has left England in the hands of a tyrannical government led by the Hitler-esque Chancellor Sutler (John Hurt in a histrionic spit-fueled performance). Into this mix sees the coming of V (Hugo Weaving), the very definition of caped super-hero flamboyance, part Batman, and part Phantom of the Opera.

The film begins with V rescuing Evey (Natalie Portman) from sinister government thugs and then, oh by the way, blowing up one of London’s landmarks. “V” declares that in one year’s time he will blow up Parliament, thus setting in motion a furious search for the perpetrator.

Who, and what, V really is propels the plot as we come to see that his war is both political and, very personal. Though V is branded a terrorist by the government, one must remember said government is decidedly fascist and no friend of freedom.

“V For Vendetta” is a great looking movie with much of the action taking place under an appropriately symbolic dark sheen of shadow. The performances are quite good, and, though V is the central character, Portman’s Evey anchors the film. Evey’s slow awakening to the horror hidden within plain sight is believable and well played.

For the most part the film, which is rated R, is a riveting experience, though it does run a bit too long and sags somewhat while racing toward its explosive climax. Once its many masks have been removed, the fun has ended and we’re left waiting for the big boom.