Evey, played by Natalie Portman, ducks down an alley after 11 p.m. in V for Vendetta. She has left home to see a friend -- despite knowing that disobeying a government curfew often gets one killed by enforcers.

The members of the secret police have their own way of making sure everyone obeys the curfew. Their tactics include cruel beatings, torture, and in the case of women, rape. The victims are then scooped up into a sack and never heard from again. Brandishing a can of mace, Evey finds herself face to face with two fingermen for the secret police, and she is no match for them. They seem bent on beating her senseless, torturing her some more and raping her.

After that, the men plan to dispose of Evey in the manner they see fit. But before this situation reaches a crescendo, Evey is aided by an anonymous benefactor dressed in black from head to toe. He makes quick work of those who attacked her.

Set sometime in the future, V for Vendetta features John Hurt as Chancellor Sutler, a dictator over the British who came to power following a series of a catastrophic events. Sutler has made sure citizens cower in fear of him. If his presence on television will not make them fear him, his thugs -- the same ones Evey encountered -- will.

Nobody can be successful in ending Sutler's reign or in bringing about a revolution. Freedom of speech and expression are now a thing of the past. With cameras spying on people's movements at every moment, Big brother is everywhere. Journalists and broadcasters are being paid to lie and spread the government’s views. 

Evey's childhood was viciously snatched from her. Her parents believed in speaking against the government and ending its reign of terror. They were killed for their political activities after taking up their son’s cause when he too was  killed because of his views. Until now, Evey has managed to keep herself safe. An intellectual, she shares little else in common with her rescuer. Known only as V (Hugo Weaving), this mysterious man dresses head to toe in a black and wears a Guy Fawkes mask to conceal his identity and his disfigured face which was severely burned, as were his hands. 

Evey finds herself in V’s subterranean lair. His Shadow Gallery includes several rooms, a place to screen film, a juke box containing classic and contemporary music, a treasure trove of banned books, and an impressive collection of banned artwork. He has kept all of this underground to preserve it and prevent the government from permanently destroying it under the Ministry of Objectionable Materials Act.

V takes Evey onto a rooftop to watch his latest triumph against Sutler’s regime. He has synchronized bombs, music and fireworks to work together in destroying the Old Bailey. Although successful, the government tries to hide the fact that this was a terrorist attack. Broadcasts indicate the blast was a controlled demolition.

With his major scheme a year away, V is content to embark on another mission: seeking retribution from the enemies who have wronged him. He will murder them one by one leaving a calling card -- a single red rose behind.

Evey hates violence and is against V's plans to murder his enemies. However, she agrees with him concerning the need for a rebellion. As she learns more about V's character, she becomes one of his strangest allies. What role, if any, will she play in his plan for revolution?

Weaving’s role requires great skill to execute. He finds the right voice and combines it with movement to capture the mind behind the mask. Extensive training in clowning and mask work obviously helped Weaving deliver a powerful and memorable performance. Portman, in her key supporting role, is also solid here.     

Based on Alan Moore's graphic novel (illustrated by David Lloyd), V for Vendetta was adapted for the screen by the Wachowski Brothers and directed by James McTeigue. Because of the film's powerful imagery and ideas, most viewers will be discussing this movie long after it ends.  

(Released by Warner Bros. and rated "R" for strong violence and some language.)

Review also posted on www.movie-critiques.com.