Review of Enemy of the State (1998) by Dan Y — 20 Jun 2009

Over the top and far fetched Will Smith vehicle about a lawyer being chased by the National Security Agency. Pffffft. In reality, they're far too busy spying on terrorists overseas and tracking their movements.

Enemy of the State relies on the absurd paranoia spouted forth by the tinfoil hat wearing nuts who droll on about the 'military industrial complex', showing spy satellites zooming in on targets within seconds, something that is so removed from reality it is laughable. Equally laughable is that a glorified paper pusher at the NSA could operate with such impunity without at least one other government law enforcement entity or state agency taking just a tad bit of notice. Oh, sure, they can easily fool the DC police or the rent-a-cops at some fancy ass hotel, but the writers and director Tony Scott are insulting our intelligence with this.

There are certain points of the plot that are so nonsensical that it makes me nauseous, such as the rift between the lawyer and his wife. The NSA has the local media running with a false story that he is involved with organized crime and the suggestion is made of a love affair between he and an old girlfriend, Rachel (Lisa Bonet). The wife (who is also a lawyer, for the ACLU no less! Hilarious) believes it without question, blowing up at him the second he walks in the door and then kicks him out of the house. Movies require suspension of disbelief, but in this case a suspension of logic, removing your brain and placing it on the floor by the TV is required. That goes beyond the pale. I don't care what the accusation is, any lawyer worth their salt instantly questions any charges or rumors brought against a client/friend/relative. Oh, it gets better! When he sneaks back to the house after discovering what is going on and explains to his wife about the circumstances, she reacts with, "I told you the government could do this sort of thing!"Gee, then why didn't you believe him to begin with Miss Civil Rights? Were this a bulletin board with BBCode capability, I would gleefully insert my favorite facepalm image at this point. But it's not, so I won't. *sigh* Suffice it to say, the main character's wife is a serious annoyance.

Aspects such as that and the general opposition to the government having spying capabilities really overshadows what could have otherwise been a highly enjoyable story. It's a shame since I usually like Tony Scott's work a lot.