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Enemy
at the Gates
(Paramount) Rated R
Release Date
- March 16, 2001
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Starring: Jude Law, Joseph Fiennes, Rachel Weisz,
Ed Harris, Bob Hoskins
Directed by: Jean-Jacques Annaud
Produced by: John D. Schofield, Jean-Jacques Annaud
Written by: Alain Godard, Jean-Jacques Annaud
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Enemy tells the story
of a sharpshooter who becomes the center of the Russian propaganda
campaign designed to inspire the nation’s troops.
But it starts with this man in the midst of a journey
to a besieged Stalingrad that is clearly meant to measure
up to or reach past what Steven Spielberg did in Saving
Private Ryan. But it is one of the poorest imitations I have seen so far. The first 10 minutes of this film are like
a textbook intended to give the viewer an appreciation of
just how brilliant Spielberg is.
For one thing, we make the journey with Tom Hanks,
with whom we have a relationship, even before entering the
theater. As Jude
Law makes his trip, we have no idea who he is – except
that we are keeping an eye on him – and how we should feel
about anything that is happening. Of course, once he says, “I need a gun,” the
outcome is inevitable… but not in a good way.
Similarly, we get a glimpse at Rachel Weisz
in the first minutes, only to have her disappear for an extended
period. Why? Is there a payoff?

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