Review of Enemies, a Love Story (1989) by Blake P — 20 Apr 2013

If there was ever an anti-crowd pleaser, "Enemies, A Love Story" is a great example. Just from the plot, most people (including me) would expect a screwball comedy. But considering everything occurring here is mostly dramatic, and the film runs a little too long, there isn't too much to enjoy. Thanks to the superb acting though, "Enemies, A Love Story" remains memorable in its own dark, subtle ways.

Herman (Ron Silver) is a Holocaust survivor that is now living in Coney Island with his new wife Yadwiga (Margaret Sophie Stein). Instead of spending his days in a concentration camp though, Yadwiga sheltered him from the Nazis in her family's barn. Unfortunately Herman's wife and kids died.

You'd think that he would be thankful to already be loved and have a decent marriage, but no. Herman is in the meantime, having an affair with another Holocaust survivor, the moody Masha (Lena Olin). When he's spending time with her he tells Yadwiga that he's at work, yet he feels nervous in the streets. Things get a little bit nuttier when Masha gets pregnant and Herman feels that the right thing to do is marry her-- after all, his marriage to Yadwiga isn't completely legal.

But things get even worse when Herman's supposedly deceased wife Tamara (Anjelica Huston) comes out of nowhere and complicates things.

"Enemies, A Love Story" takes place in 1949, and while it does have great period sets and costumes, that isn't a big focus here. It focuses less on glamour and more on the aftermath of WWII on Jews. Not to suggest the film is completely humorless-- the script, for the most part, carries a quiet sense of wit with it, and towards the beginning of the film, the characters talk with an interesting tone that reminds one of Woody Allen.

It isn't necessarily laugh out loud funny, and it isn't meant to be a comedy. We're instead just taking a look at these damaged peoples' lives, and it's rather interesting.

Mazursky directs in a tone that feels claustrophobic and a bit like a play, but because this is more of a relationship film than anything, it works nearly perfectly. The screenplay is even better, while it is still a bit depressing. Towards the beginning, everyone feels a bit caricaturish, but the film slowly trudges along with growing pessimism. Mazursky is a great comedy director, but with this drama, it shows a different side to his talent.

The acting phenomenal as well, especially the two leading women, Olin and Huston.

Masha, characterized wonderfully by Olin, is intelligent and when calm, speaks without enthusiasm like Madeline Kahn in "Blazing Saddles"-- but when she's upset, her vulnerability comes to a point where we even question Masha's sanity. If her calm manner is façade, why does she do it in the first place? She's a complicated character, but Olin manages to make us understand her somewhat.

Huston's portrayal is essential to the film, despite the fact it's downplayed towards the torrid relationship between Herman and Masha. Huston is the only sense of warmth in the entire film-- she walks with a sense of bravery, and acts tough, and when she's with with Herman you can see him spark up. You know Tamara is truly fragile inside, but is so compassionate that you can't help but really appreciate her.

"Enemies, A Love Story" isn't for everybody, but it often times shows talent that's timeless.