Enemy
of the State (1998)
From
the opening credits, it is obvious that this Tony Scott
film is going to rock. From then on, it never stops.
The film may take a moment or two for plot points but
they are so interesting and generally so well crafted,
that we are only further drawn into the action. Sure,
there are a few "telegraphed" plot moments where we
can see what's coming, but more often than not, the
plot line will take a turn mid- stream that we never
expect and works it's way out without ever making us
say "Yeah right!"
Will
Smith carries the film for over an hour and does a damn
fine job before Gene Hackman hits the screen and the
two of them set the place ablaze! The chemistry here
is hot. Hackman seems to have found someone who can
take what he has to offer and multiply it, rather than
drain him of it.
There are many things to like here, especially the script
and the cast. Smith's wife is a familiar face but not
a familiar name. She is also not a particularly attractive
black woman. She looks normal. So, it's great to see
a lead character who doesn't have a romantic interest,
who's just a nice family man that isn't married to a
fashion model. There is no love story or female counterpart
to get in the way. Smith's portrayal of an honest and
somewhat flawed real man, a real husband, is unique
and bold and his female co-star makes this even more
wonderful to behold. Also in the film with great distinction
are Jon Voight, Loren Dean, Jason Robards, Lisa Bonet,
Jake Busey and Seth Green.
High-tech conspiracy abounds here. This is the kind
of shit that makes "The X Files" seem like fratboys
in the world of conspiracy theorists. Everyone is out
to get you in "Enemy of the State," and they can mess
with your home, your job, your wife, your bank accounts
and your credit cards. Big Brother is everywhere and
watching you in the world created here, which is as
much a vision of anti-Americanism as it is a vision
of the righteousness of the Constitution. This film
will make you think about governmental intrusion into
our privacy and how it is so easy for us to be duped
into allowing that intrusion to be acceptable. And with
this sort of subtext here, Smith, surprisingly, doesn't
have big speeches or self-righteousness to bog him down.
He's just a guy in the wrong place at the wrong time
who gets screwed over royally because of it. Smith plays
"a regular guy" like you've never seen before. It's
masterful.
In
effect, "Enemy of the State" is a chase film and it
is relentless in it's pursuit of action and movement.
Scott's film seldom lets up. The heat is turned down
only for a moment or two here and there and then he
brings it to a boil yet again. This is a non-stop thrill
ride that only gives you enough time to catch your breath
before it takes off again. And when you're through -
you're one paranoid motherfucker!
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