Review by Stephanie Scaife
This is the kind of film that I really don’t enjoy reviewing, because to say anything is to say too much. So I’d urge you to go in cold if you haven’t already seen it. If you have any expectations, you’re likely to be disappointed because I can almost guarantee that this movie is not what you think it is (based on the trailers, marketing etc.) This isn’t to say that I don’t recommend it, because I do, but it was definitely one of the most extreme examples of what I expected versus what I got being very much at odds in recent memory.
Luckily I didn’t really know much about Denis Villeneuve’s (Prisoners, Incendies) Enemy before seeing it, other that it had Jake Gyllenhaal playing two identical characters. Having seen Prisoners I was expecting a fairly straight forward thriller, but what I got was more something along the lines of Brian De Palma remaking Cronenberg’s Dead Ringers. At its best Enemy is deeply unnerving and at its worst it’s tonally uneven, if not even verging on dull. I feel that it will attract just as many detractors as admirers and that’s certainly something I admire in a film; not unlike Only God Forgives, Enemy is a singular vision of a filmmaker not wishing to compromise in the name of coherence, who will not pander to his audience.
Gyllenhall stars as Adam Bell, a university lecturer in Toronto who appears to lead a fairly isolated life with the exception of some occasional, if cold, trysts with his girlfriend Mary (Melanie Laurent). In a frankly bizarre and wholly unnatural conversation with a colleague that would not be out of place in a David Lynch film, Adam is recommended a movie to watch, which he decides to rent that evening from the video store. Whilst watching the film he spots what would appear to be his doppelganger in a small bit part, and after a quick search online he finds that the actor is called Antony Clair and that he lives locally in Toronto. After becoming obsessed with Antony and tracking him down via the talent agency that represents him, Adam finally convinces him that they should meet up. Where Adam is sullen and dishevelled Antony oozes charisma, he rides a motorcycle and wears a leather jacket. Antony’s heavily pregnant wife Helen (Sarah Gadon) also develops a fascination with Adam. Needless to say things don’t end well for anyone concerned. Toss in some underground sex clubs, a giant spider and a brief cameo from Isabella Rossellini and you’re still not even close to what’s ultimately going on in this movie.
For the most part however I found it to be consistently watchable, stylish and the performances are very strong. Complaints that it never amounts to much are understandable even if I don’t necessarily agree, Enemy is not a film that gives easy (if any) answers and is a solid exercise in style over substance I have a feeling that as a viewer you will either admire its excesses and inconsistencies or be entirely put off by its over indulgences.
Enemy is available on DVD now from Curzon Film World.