Sharpshooting action 1 - Realism 0 (Enemy at the Gates (DVD))

Member Name: hazzeryoda

Product:	Enemy at the Gates (DVD)
Date:	13/09/02 (51 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Gripping action, Joseph Fiennes

Disadvantages: just another hyped war film, Dull and wooden at times

I had been wanting to watch Enemy at the Gates for some time seeing as it has an appealing and relatively distinguished cast (Fiennes & Law along with Bob Hoskins as General Kruschev!) and had an interesting premise for a war drama, namely the Soviet struggle - and subsequent victory - in the flasgship and vital city, Stalingrad. As a fan of war films in genereal I had been waiting for a modern film to be relased chronicling the brave and bitter Soviet struggle against the hun during the closing stages of WW2 seeing as it was such a crucial part of the war.

However, I must say that this film just didnt deliver as much as I had hoped. Although the plot had pace and punch, it all to easily droppped to lifeless lows and contrived climaxes.

I had to grit my teeth listening to Jude Law speak about his Russian upbringing and life in the Urals with an almost cockney but certainly unnatural English accent (yes, I know he's British!).
Joseph Fiennes acted rather well, giving a standard performance protraying his characters weaknesses and strengths with clarity, but there seemed to be - and this goes for most of the film - and insensitive, 'Hollywoodised' overtone to dialogue and editing where many typical devices such as the schmaltzy/tearjerking scene or well-rehearsed punchline/powerline cropped up and makes you groan. Or at least get distracted from the drama and setting.
The set design and vast exteriors were well made and added an earthiness to the film, yet, as with the dialogue many things felt as if they had been rushed by the editing team or post production in that the director felt that he must convey a sense of realism and genuineness resulting in the audience being bombarded with bombs exploding in every conceivable place, English speaking Russians being 'overauthentically' brutish and ruthless, soundbytes of officers giving orders etc etc. This may sound as if I'm nitpicking but believe me, you won't believe

this film.

After watching this film, although I had been through tense and gripping action and the regular Hollywood emotional rollercoaster procedure I felt somewhat short-changed, having not actually learnt anything much about WW2 in general - This film just didnt make me think outside of the rather wooden characters.

H

Summary: