Enemy, the new movie from Denis Villeneuve, director of last year's Prisoners, is mysterious, weird, menacing, and kind of fantastic. It stars Jake Gyllenhaal, also the star of Prisoners, as a depressed, unfulfilled history professor who does not seem to do anything but give lectures and have a casual fling with Mary, played by Melanie Laurent. One night, he discovers he has a doppleganger after watching a movie recommended by a colleague. Adam does some research and we learn his doppleganger's name is Anthony, who's a small time actor married to Helen, played by Sarah Gadon, who also happens to be pregnant. When the two men meet, things start to get weird.
Villeneuve's direction is excellent, and he knows how to set the mood. The cinematography is really good, as the movie is shot in a yellowish haze, giving the world a sickly kind of look, and the lighting is appropriately moody. The score is also excellent and really original. Villeneuve may be emerging as one of cinema's more versatile directors considering how different this is from Prisoners.
The acting is top-notch. Jake Gyllenhaal's performance, or I should say two performances, are really nuanced. I was never confused as to which character was on-screen. Adam is kind of wimpy and hunched over while Anthony is an overly confident jerk who may even be a little dangerous. There are little ticks that Gyllenhaal gives to each character that gives them each their own distinctive personalities. Sarah Gadon is also very good as the wife of Anthony who is obviously distraught over the situation. Melanie Laurent is good too, but it would have been nice if her character got a little more screen time. The same can be said of Isabella Rossellinni, who turns up briefly as Adam's mother.
This movie is not for everybody. There is no clear answer for why this situation is happening, and the puzzling final scene of the film will leave casual film-goers scratching their heads. I myself had to look at theories on the internet. But if you're a fan of unusual and well-crafted thrillers with terrific acting, or just want to see something different, check Enemy out.
I give Enemy an A-
Buying Beverly Hills Season 2 Review: This show about rich people and fancy homes goes on for too long to keep up with all the drama.
Apartment 404 Episode 5 brings the chaotic cast to a thrilling case of 1991.
Here are all the clarities given in our Flex X Cop Ending Explained as season 1 has now come to an end.
Basically the same score I would give it. Probably one of the best films of 2014 thus far, but isn't for everyone. Love all the subtlties one can catch from certain shots and lines of dialogue here.
Also want to see The Double.