Enemy Mine (1985)

Adapted from Barry B Longyear's novella, "Enemy Mine" could almost be a stage play. Only two actors at a time take up the majority of screen time. The sets could be taken out of the original Lost in Space studio lot and there's not enough action to keep most kids interested. Despite this, the film is terrific. It's one of those rare stories that concentrate on the subtle interaction between the characters while taking them on a moral journey.

Have I put any of the Sci-Fi geeks off their breakfast yet? Well okay, this is a science fiction movie. But it didn't have to be. The story throws two indelible enemies together, on a desolate and dangerous planet. After trying to continue their struggle, a truce is eventually called as they both realise cooperation is necessary for their survival. Despite their common need, differences in culture, politics and religion continue to wear on their partnership. And it is this constant friction which works to build their bond, almost against their will.

Dennis Quaid and Louis Gossett Jr play the two characters I've described. They are Davidge, (a human soldier), and Jerry, (a Draco soldier). Their respective names are those used for convenience, given their lack of ability in each other's language. At the start, neither speaks anything but swearwords in the enemy's tongue. Naturally, this adds another layer of tension to the situation.

I've always liked Denis Quaid's acting. He is very likeable in all of his films but in Enemy Mine we see a lot more depth of pain and caring than he usually portrays. Louis Gosset Jr however, is the true star of the film. He does a superb job of conveying his alien essence. His physical attributes, posture, movement and reactions are obviously modelled on reptiles and he makes it all seem perfectly natural.

I can't really convey the path these two enemies take towards friendship, which is a pity, since it is the best feature of the film. Suffice to say that they do eventually grow close, just in time to share in the first Draco birth witnesses by a human. Unfortunately the birth goes badly and Jerry dies, leaving Davidge to take responsibility for raising the child, Zammis. And Davidge takes this task very seriously; teaching the youngster his race's language, heritage and religion.

My only disappointment is that the film did not portray the events after Davidge's rescue in the same detail as Longyear wrote it. We are given only a brief glimpse of the prejudice and revilement that he goes through as he displays his love for one of humanities hated rivals. But we do get to experience the most moving part of the tale, as Davidge accompanies the adolescent Zammis to the home planet of the Dracos, to present him at his naming day. An event the two of them have been working towards for years, where Zammis has to name all of his ancestors, their affiliation and relationships. An event that would not have been possible without Davidge acting as a bridge of love across the span of two generations and two species.

This is such a great, yet highly under-rated sci-fi drama. Louis Gossett, Jr. is excellent as the alien and Dennis Quaid's performance is moving and extremely convincing. Sworn enemies, humans and this strange and highly mis-understood race of aliens (Draconians) are at constant war. When Quaid & Gossett end up shooting each other out of the sky and falling onto an uninhabited planet, they are forced to find common ground in order to survive. While they first attempt to kill one another, they gradually become reluctant friends and eventually blood brothers. Draconians are a very different species and there are no gender differences, so all Draconians experience child birth. When Gossett's character finds himself with child, a new dynamic is thrown into the story that shows the extent to which Quaid will go for his new best friend. The scenes to follow are moving and tender. Still sci-fi, but not a Terminator meets the Alien type of film. Not your typical sci-fi, but fabulous nonetheless. Why this isn't available on DVD is beyond me.

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Characters drive stories, regardless of their surroundings or ---in this case --time. Louis Gossett Jr. deserved an academy award for his work in the reptillian costume and his incredible use of voice and movements. Absolutely high caliber acting. Dennis Quaid is no less phenomenal but didn't have to wear a cumbersome outfit and makeup like Mr. Gossett did. Most notable is the fact that this film was made over 16 years ago and is still an excellent science fiction movie. Stands the test of time.

The story is that of a pilot out in space on a space station who is helping to 'defend' the mineral rights and other human interests of this sector of the galaxy. The only other living space-faring species out there are the Dracs. Mr. Gosset plays a Drac known as Jareeba (or Jerry as Dennis Quaid comes to call him). They are mortal enemies and nearly kill each other many times after each of their ships crash land on an unihabited planet that has impressive meteor showers, little food and funky weather patterns. Eventually, through time and circumstances, these two enemies are forced to cooperate together so that they can survive and in so doing learn a little bit about each other and their respective societies. They aren't that different, humanity and the Dracs. An age-old story done over and over again, right? True, but this one gives us a twist. Jerry becomes pregnant (no he is neither female nor male. Dracs simply become pregnant when the time is right). But Jerry's pregnancy goes awry and he dies before giving birth. Dennis Quaid has to cut the child out and raise it until he's rescued. But should he be rescued by humans, what will happen to Zamis (the little Drac who grows rapidly)? And if rescued by Dracs, what will happen to Dennis Quaid?

Dennis becomes the father figure for Zamis and they are eventually 'rescued' from the planet by human slave traders that force Dracs into mining colonies. What happens to Zamis in the end? What can Dennis Quaid do to help Zamis survive? Watch the movie and learn the twist on an old theme. Excellent.

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This is an essential movie for all sci-fi fans. Of course it's got some of the cheesy 80's acting and dialogue, but those are the only bad things about this movie. The setting and special effects look really good. The makeup is also incredible, and the story itself is pretty original and has a good message. Although it's not really a family movie as in the ammount of violence that takes place several time, it isn't over the top or excessive. The DVD sadly only has a bunch of trailers and THREE still production photos. What the? This movie deserves a better DVD, Fox! See this movie!

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As the movie opens the viewer is confronted by two very surprising things. The first is the name of the director, Wolfgang Peterson. It would be the German Director's first movie for the American mainstream audience and undoubtedly his best to date. The second thing is the gross inclusion of gratuitous Analog Special effects, which might make this movie one of the last films to include effects on this level. Blade Runner strictly used Analog Special Effects, but did far greater things with them. These two things, viewed in today's world, might turn off a few viewers, but the best thing I can offer up: is to stick with it.

However, both those things aside, the film, very rightly and very appropriately, gets to the story quickly and it is the story that makes this one of the best science-fiction movies of the `80's decade.

Enemy Mine is an incredibly touching film about perceived differences between two warring species, but speaks to the larger issue of race and all people. That's a pretty hefty order for sure to address successfully in film, but the story hails from a period of writing where moralist intent seeped into most writing, deftly, and was the norm. Barry Longyear stands firmly beside such Science-Fiction greats as Philip K. Dick, Gene Rodenberry and Walter Tevis.

I have fond memories of watching this film as a boy and can hardly forget Louis Gossett Jnr.'s much quotable: "Daaahweeech." The final scene is also very moving and very thought provoking for anyone who wonders why we, as a people, do not go to greater lengths in establishing our lineage. But, it's probably true for all of us that we all have some family members that are worthy of forgetting.