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'V for Vendetta' loses the war it wages with itself
by Eleanor Ringel Gillespie

"V for Vendetta" is the sort of movie that elicits passionate debate on the Internet among people with user names like Lord Asriel, Killdozer, Rant Breath and DocPazuzu. It is also the sort of movie that appeals to the inner teenage nerd/romantic in all of us. Think a swashbuckling "1984." Read the full review

TO SUM UP
In a futuristic society, a shadowy freedom fighter known only as "V" uses terrorist tactics to fight the totalitarian government. When he rescues a mild-mannered young woman from the secret police, she emerges as an unlikely ally in his plot to bring freedom and justice back to a country ruled with cruelty and corruption.

FILM FACTS ...

Warner Brothers Pictures

'V for Vendetta'

Director: James McTeigue
Starring: Natalie Portman, Hugo Weaving, Stephen Rea, Stephen Fry, John Hurt
Run time: 132 minutes
Release date: March 17, 2006
Rating: R for strong violence and some language.
See showtimes

Behind the scenes
• What's with the mask?
• Departures from the book
• Natalie Portman speaks out
• Other memorable Portman performances

On the web
Official movie site
View the trailer
Trailers require Quicktime

READ THE REVIEW

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: C
"Portman carries the picture, not Weaving (who does the best he can under the circumstances). ... She's the kind of actor who draws us to her effortlessly, even in a simplistic role."

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Austin American-Statesman: 3 of 5 stars
"(Natalie) Portman is the equal of her role, and her brutal transformation from waif to woman stops short of easy Hollywood heroism, instead placing her at the cusp of using violence to oppose violence."

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The Palm Beach Post: B+
"Despite (author Alan) Moore's general objections, Vendetta is so suspenseful, thought-provoking and edge-of-your-seat involving, he might as well simmer down and share the acclaim that is bound to greet this film from more than just the comic book crowd."