The Enemy Within (1994)
I always like watching a good political thriller, so I was excited to watch The Enemy Within, despite my skepticism of the cast. Cutting to the chase, it turned out exactly as I’d expected. The cast was the weakest element of the film, but it was still relatively entertaining for those who enjoy this genre.
Forest Whitaker plays a Marine who works in Washington, DC., directly under the Joint Chiefs of Staff, played by Jason Robards. Obviously, since it’s Jason Robards, he’s up to no good. It’s not long before Forest figures it out—Jason is leaving him out of classified meetings and plans—and starts digging to find out what his boss is hiding.
Sam Waterston is always very likable—and he’s played a president before—so it’s no stretch to believe he’s the most likable person in the story and gives the best performance of the cast. Dana Delaney plays the president’s Chief of Staff, and she feels incredibly miscast and out of her element. When she reads official documents, she seems to not understand the language; when she speaks to the president, she seems completely unaware of proper protocol; and when she takes part in covert operations, it seems like her idea of secrecy is waiting the entire weekend before telling her sorority sisters what happened. I know that sounds harsh, but she just can’t pull off playing the Chief of Staff. And while Jason Robards is easily believed to be a bad guy, Forest Whitaker doesn’t reek of discipline and harshness, despite several references to his supposed character traits in the script.
You can sit through this political thriller if you want to; it won’t hurt you. Chances are you’ll find it a little bland, and you’ll wish Sam Waterston could really run for President. Also, for those who have seen the original, this is a remake of 1964’s Seven Days in May. I’ve never seen it, so I’m not able to draw any comparisons, but I wanted to include that tidbit.
More Sam Waterston movies here!
Forest Whitaker plays a Marine who works in Washington, DC., directly under the Joint Chiefs of Staff, played by Jason Robards. Obviously, since it’s Jason Robards, he’s up to no good. It’s not long before Forest figures it out—Jason is leaving him out of classified meetings and plans—and starts digging to find out what his boss is hiding.
Sam Waterston is always very likable—and he’s played a president before—so it’s no stretch to believe he’s the most likable person in the story and gives the best performance of the cast. Dana Delaney plays the president’s Chief of Staff, and she feels incredibly miscast and out of her element. When she reads official documents, she seems to not understand the language; when she speaks to the president, she seems completely unaware of proper protocol; and when she takes part in covert operations, it seems like her idea of secrecy is waiting the entire weekend before telling her sorority sisters what happened. I know that sounds harsh, but she just can’t pull off playing the Chief of Staff. And while Jason Robards is easily believed to be a bad guy, Forest Whitaker doesn’t reek of discipline and harshness, despite several references to his supposed character traits in the script.
You can sit through this political thriller if you want to; it won’t hurt you. Chances are you’ll find it a little bland, and you’ll wish Sam Waterston could really run for President. Also, for those who have seen the original, this is a remake of 1964’s Seven Days in May. I’ve never seen it, so I’m not able to draw any comparisons, but I wanted to include that tidbit.
More Sam Waterston movies here!