I don’t even know where to start. “Enemy” was one of my most anticipated films for this year. It is based on José Saramago’s book called “The Double” (in its original Portuguese title “O Homem Duplicado”) and it was constantly delayed here in Portugal but now after all the wait I understand why. They wanted to release it at the 4th year anniversary of the death of José Saramago, winner of a Literature Noble Prize in 1998 and one of our the greatest Portuguese writers ever! It was a beautiful homage, after all this country unfortunately did not praised him as much as he deserved during his life. He had his very own philosophies; he was a very peculiar and different man. He was against Catholic Church and in a country where most of people are Catholics, he was not very well regarded and I think his writing was damaged before the eyes of a country that sometimes cannot see through differences. I look at the writer not at the man, everyone is free to think whatever they want… but that’s another story. Now back to the film!
The premise that is given to us is about a history professor that accidentally finds out that he has a double, an actor and model, while he watches a movie. He becomes obsessed with this man and starts to follow him. This discovery will change the lives of every characters of the story.
“Enemy” is a very complex thriller, very nightmarish and dark with an absolutely engaging atmosphere that will twist your mind and oh, how do I like this kind of mind-twisting films! As a film that is based on a José Saramago’s book (and knowing that he is a very metaphoric writer who liked to makes us pull things from our head or mixing reality with mere thoughts), I knew that I would have to pay very attention to all of the details and that’s what we need to do.
I also loved the claustrophobic feeling in the air; it’s almost like we are trapped into the film and the absolutely creepy and dreadful soundtrack helps to create that feeling.
There are some things left hovering the air but I have a pretty strong theory for this story. This is a film that requires more than one viewing and I believe that can become more special to us in each visualization. Is very difficult to talk about it without spoiling anything. I think it is a film which is best experienced and then discussed.
What can we say more about Jake Gyllenhaal that we haven’t said before? He must be one of the most underrated actors ever and he is so amazing! I can’t remember to had seen a single bad performance from him. Once again he shines and what can be better than have, not one but two Jake Gyllenhaals?
I don’t see everyone enjoying this film; this is pure arthouse, not for a mainstream audience. Some might think it is too slow or too boring. Some will feel very bothered with the atmosphere and with what they are watching but for me worked even better than what I was expecting.
Denis Villeneuve amazed me with “Prisoners,” one of my favorites of last year and he amazes me again with another fantastic work directing “Enemy.”
– by Caty Alexandre
