Enemy Mine (Wolfgang Petersen, 1985)

In the future, humanity has expanded to the stars, and are now in a war with an alien race, Dracs.

After a dog fight leaves their craft both crashed on an inhospitable world, human pilot Davidge (Dennis Quaid) and Drac pilot Jareeba Shigan (Lou Gossett Jr.) are forced together in order to survive.

As time progresses, can the former enemies drop their antago - who am I kidding? Just read the poster tagline: 

“Enemies because they were taught to be. Allies because they had to be. Brothers because they dared to be.”

 

A simple story well told.

I have never been the biggest fan of Wolfgang Petersen - there is something simplistic and melodramatic about his Hollywood work.

He can be a bit too broad and earnest.

That non-blinking sincerity works for a movie like this.

A simple metaphor about overcoming prejudice, this is the kind of broad strokes genre story that fits Petersen.

I rewatched this movie before the news that Gossett Jr had passed away, and it really is his showcase.

Emoting under full body makeup and prosthetics, he turns 'Jerry' into a three-dimensional character. He is more defined and complex than the movie is aiming for, finding a level of pathos and humour in the character and his dynamic with Quaid that elevates the movie.

Dennis Quaid has the hard task of laying an unlikeable ugly American. He manages the character’s transformation with a feel for the character’s brash, emotional immaturity.

There is something more compelling about watching such a reluctant character evolution, especially when he is alone and raising Jerry's child Zammis (Bumper Robinson) on his own.

What is fascinating watching the film from a contemporary perspective is how the film never ridicules or tries to other Jerry after this revelation. Davich's reaction, beautifully played by Quaid, is one of joy mixed with fear - not for his friend's condition - but for the practicalities of birthing and raising a child in this environment. 

The reveal of Jerry's pregnancy adds an urgency to their relationship, as Davich now has to learn more from his friend so that he can help support their child.

The second half of the film is almost completely different in terms of tone from the first half, including the introduction of some absolutely despicable villains (including Brion James). While it is a real turn from the first half, it speaks to the time spent building these characters that this action-heavy third act works.

The movie is not perfect: Maurice Jarred’s score is a strange misfire, a combination of orchestra and synthesisers that undermines certain moments of the movie.

The film is slightly undermined by intrusive use of voice over to explain plot points that the film does a good job of visualising: A key example is Davich’s discovery of the Pepsi cans and the Drac skulls.

These elements reinforce the sense of the movie being intended as a lesson for as wide audience as possible.

Shot on massive sets, and practical puppetry to realise its inhabitants, Enemy Mine is a great example of eighties special effects. 

But the film's greatest success is the dynamic between its lead performers. As a showcase for Gossett Jr and Quaid, Enemy Mine is worth a look.

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