Film Review: Enemy Of the State: short version

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Fun, fun, and more fun is exactly how to describe the newest blockbuster, Enemy of the State from producer / director combo, Jerry Bruckhiemer and Tony Scott. Enemy of the State is an impressive undertaking that plausibly demonstrates how thin our 4^th amendment protections and right to privacy may, could, or will be violated in the now, as well as the years to come. Enemy of the State is a terse drama filled with wonderful action, that gives a ruthless edge to those in our government who would not hesitate to violate our rights -- to protect or rights. Confusing? You bet.  Will Smith, is the unwitting hero who is us, among us, and is dynamically portrayed in this film.

The story begins with Will Smith playing labor attorney Robert Clayton Dean who literally runs into an old law school buddy, Zavitz, who slips a video into his shopping bag while fleeing the NSA.

From there, the story only gets better. Robert Dean is threatened, bugged, followed, framed, and targeted for elimination before he eventually gets help from his regularly hired, indirect private investigator Edward 'Brill' Lyle played with exquisite perfection by Gene Hackman. Hackman and Robert Dean become reluctant partners through the person of Rachel played by Lisa Bonet (early Cosby Show).

Brill, a retired NSA operative brings rock steady realism through his facial expressions, his peering through thick, ugly bifocals and his constant irritability make him an absolute joy to watch.

I won’t give you the blow-by-blow because you won’t need it to decide if you should see this one. The only answer to that question can be YES!

The chase scenes in Enemy of the State are beyond wonderful. The photography is both breathtaking and revolutionary. The speed of surveillance moved like a football game with those doing the surveillance enhancing the pacing to a heart throbbing cadence.

There were a few problems with continuity that only someone who lives in the Washington DC / Baltimore region would notice. Don’t let that throw you.

There were some exceptional performances.  First there was Jon Voight playing the part of NSA project leader Reynolds. His performance is unforgettable and added a scary touch of realism.  His right hand lieutenant was played expertly by Barry Pepper. Pepper’s mousse haired character Pratt was a ruthless assassin but one to be admired because he diligently believed that his mission was absolute national security. Kudos Jake Busey. He did a wonderful job as the smart aleck assistant to Pratt. Pepper, Busey, and Jason Lee who was the nature lover, Zavitz, who accidentally caught and NSA murder on video tape made for one of the most intensely electrifying chase scenes ever. Regina King delivered completely as Stacy, Dean’s wife.

The moral conscience to this whole dilemma was skillfully portrayed by Jack Black who you may remember as the guy who got his arm shot off by Bruce Willis in The Jackal. Black’s character, Fielder was the technical mastermind and moral center of the film.

So needless to say, see Enemy of the State for the best ride of 1998’s winter movie season. It is an pleasantly unpleasant look at what could, or has happened to personal privacy. After the excitement of Enemy of the State dies down, perhaps it will provoke conversation about guaranteed privacy. Who knows, Enemy of the State may help to usher in a new era of electronic privacy for us all.

See you at the movies.