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THE ENEMY WITHIN

REVIEWED BY CHARITY BISHOP

Our rating: 3 out of 5

Because of: language, thematic elements

Rated:

A political thriller that becomes a thinking man's film in the second half, The Enemy Within explores amendments to the constitution that might threaten the presidency. The American political system is based on the influence of the voters, something challenged in this intriguing film about the possibilities of what might happen if the government decided to seize control of the White House.

President William Foster (Sam Waterston) is facing a low approval rating and military dislike after his recent attempts to cut the proposed military budget and put more of it into local law enforcement control and other related programs. His most outspoken adversary on this explosive decision is General Pendleton Lloyd (Jason Robards), whose comments to the press have stirred anti-presidential sentiments in the newspapers. Determined not to back down but concerned with the backlash firing one of the country's revered heroes, President Foster agrees to abstain from making any more controversial speeches for the time being. The rivalry has spilled into the Pentagon, where Colonel Mac Casey (Forest Whitaker) is employed. Overworked and facing family troubles at home with a troubled son and discontent wife, Mac is innocently drawn into the midst of a national conspiracy when he discovers a secret file.

What seems to be a betting pool among the top associates of the government is in reality a mutual agreement. For what purpose these men intend to unite, Mac doesn't yet know. General Lloyd is in command of troop movement within the United States, sending military forces into all the major cities in a drill. Mac fears that he may intend to take command by force, through manipulating his troops and with the support of the vice president. Taking his concerns to Foster's top aid Betsy Corcoran (Dana Delany), they must discern a means of putting a stop to these treasonous plans without tipping their hand or getting someone else killed... because the bodies are starting to pile up. While some of the plot twists seem a bit far-fetched, at its most basic form The Enemy Within is a good thriller. It survives on the strengths of nuances, little character moments that go a long way in building development and interest.

The fact that Mac is a failing father whose son behaves badly simply to gain attention is realistic and compelling. The loss of President Foster's wife in recent years, as well as the subtle undertone of affection between him and Betsy, is charming. One of the best scenes comes near the end, when there's a face down in the Oval office. Building up these character-propelled scenes are action sequences, the involvement of the Russian militia, and numerous near instances of death that will keep any audience interested as they hurtle toward the grand finale. Some of the politics tend to be a bit liberal, but it's not an assault against the military so much as an exploration of one of the amendments in the constitution, that of the people's right to displace the president. Around a dozen profanities include four abuses of Jesus' name, and one f-word. There is some violence, with people being shot and killed, taken out by snipers on nearby rooftops. If nothing else it is an interesting conversation-starter over the "fail safe" methods built into the government and constitution.