Cast: Will Smith, Gene Hackman, Jon Voight, Regina King, Lisa Bonet, Loren Dean, Ian Hart, Jake Busey, Barry Pepper, Jason Lee, Gabriel Byrne, Tom Sizemore
Director: Tony Scott
Producer: Jerry Bruckheimer
Screenplay: David Marconi
Cinematography: Dan Mindel
Music: Trevor Rabin, Harry Gregson-Williams
U.S. Distributor: Touchstone Pictures
Enemy of the State is the latest entry into the suddenly-hot thriller subgenre of films that, because of convoluted plots characterized by bursts of action and unexpected twists, are fun to watch even if they defy logic. In addition to being an in-your-face experience, this kind of movie exudes self-confidence, never doubting for a moment that the viewer will buy into the premise (no matter how ludicrous it might be) and come along for the sheer exhilaration of the ride. When such a film fails, it usually does so spectacularly. When it succeeds, as in the case of Enemy of the State, it offers a solid two hours of pure, escapist entertainment.
This movie has two tremendous assets: a fast pace that doesn't allow the viewer to contemplate plot flaws and the charismatic performance of burgeoning superstar Will Smith. In a relatively short time in front of the camera, Smith has displayed unexpected versatility, playing roles in comedies (his TV series, "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air"), dramas (Six Degrees of Separation), action flicks (Bad Boys), and science fiction blockbusters (Independence Day, Men in Black). Smith's work in Enemy of the State, which requires him to portray the proverbial ordinary guy caught up in extraordinary circumstances, may be the most accomplished of his career. He succeeds in making audiences believe that Robert Dean is just like us, not an over-the-top clown or macho superhero with bulging biceps. We identify with him.
Conspiracy theorists will love Enemy of the State, which combines elements of Three Days of the Condor (where the protagonist must solve a mystery to save his life), The Net (where the hero's identity is wiped out), and The Game (where nothing is quite as it seems) with a high-tech dosage of George Orwell. Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of this film is that there's nothing outlandish in the levels of technology postulated by the script. It's all very real, although whether it's actually used this way is open to debate. When those who distrust the government remind us that Big Brother is Watching, they could be correct. This paranoia and fear is what Enemy of the State feeds off.
Robert Dean is a hotshot young attorney on the fast track to prominence. There's little he won't do for a client, including tangling with known mobsters. Robert's wife, Carla (Regina King), is also a lawyer, but, unlike her husband, she's strictly by-the-book. Her passion is the Constitution, and she doesn't like what she sees in a new piece of legislation up for a vote on Capitol Hill that will give the National Security Agency (NSA) the power to use any kind of advanced, electronic surveillance equipment without previous permission or authorization. Robert essentially ignores Carla's gripes, figuring that this kind of law will never affect him. He's wrong. The wheels are already in motion. An incriminating digital tape passed on to him without his knowledge is about to put his life and family in danger as government agents seek to clean up all evidence of a sanctioned murder.
The victim was a United States congressman. The culprit was Thomas Reynolds (Jon Voight), a high-ranking State Department official on loan to the NSA who felt that the congressman's opposition to the surveillance bill would ground it. Unfortunately for Reynolds, the killing was captured on camera by a naturalist (Jason Lee) studying geese migration. Before Reynolds' team can eliminate the witness, he slips a copy of the tape into one of Robert's shopping bags. The NSA realizes this, although Robert doesn't, and he suddenly finds himself in the crosshairs without understanding why. With his life being systematically dismantled (credit cards canceled, wife thinking he's having an affair, fired from his job), he seeks out the mysterious Brill, a shady contact who may hold the key to his situation. But who is Brill? A tough-talking stranger (Gabriel Byrne) who corners him in a lavatory? A pugnacious nerd (Gene Hackman) who threatens him with bodily harm? Or someone else?
Although this is Will Smith's movie, he is supported by a fine cast. Gene Hackman, who is capable of playing just about any type of role, portrays a brilliant-but-antisocial curmudgeon. It's a credit to Hackman's acting that there are times when he's almost likable. Regina King (Cuba Gooding's wife in Jerry Maguire) is steady and reliable as Carla Dean. Lisa Bonet, who hasn't had much exposure since Angel Heart, is both sexy and vulnerable as an ex-lover of Robert's who finds herself trapped in his hell. Jon Voight once again essays the part of a cold, calculating villain. And Gabriel Bryne is perfect as a dangerous enigma.
Enemy of the State is a kinetic movie, with very few slow moments. Director Tony Scott, whose up-and-down career has included hits like Top Gun and Crimson Tide and flops like The Fan, uses a fast-paced visual style to keep things moving (not that such an artificial stimulus is needed). Scott frequently employs quick jump-cuts and time-lapse photography to increase the edgy feeling (this is especially true during the "surveillance" scenes, when a satellite is shown tracking individuals without their knowledge). Scott probably goes to the well once too often with this approach; by the end, it's more distracting than effective.
The climax, which features an improbable standoff, is both too convenient and a little silly, but it has the virtue of wrapping everything up into a neat package. There are also more than a few gaping holes in the story's plausibility, although these generally don't become evident until long after the theater lights have come back on. (For example, why go after Robert at all? With a little patience and cunning, the NSA could have had his copy of the tape without resorting to draconian measures.) And, since that sort of instant gratification is what many viewers crave in their thrillers, Enemy of the State will invariably capture a sizable share of the Thanksgiving box office.
© 1998 James Berardinelli