Enemy Mine Movie Review (1985)
A sci-fi drama about a human and an alien who end up stranded together on an unfamiliar planet, Enemy Mine is a futuristic film full of heart.
I have watched Enemy Mine a number of times over the last 40 years. I was young when it was first released, but I remember my mother watching it on VHS, and I always enjoyed it. There is a unique quality about it, even though it’s now old and a little clunky – but the emotion involved has never changed.
Enemy Mine is set in the dystopian future where humans are at war with an alien species called the Drac. When human fighter pilot, Willis Davidge, and Drac pilot, Jariba Shigan (later nicknamed “Jerry”) find themselves marooned on an unfamiliar planet together, they quickly learn that they either work together or die alone.
There is a tenderness to this film that you don’t often find in science fiction movies of the 80s. Davidge and Jerry begin their journey together as mortal enemies, each trying to kill or restrain the other, but slowly realize that what they know about each other is what they’ve been told.
Davidge actually mentions at the beginning of the film that he’s never seen a Drac, only heard stories that they are reptilian creatures. Dracs are both male and female in one body, there is no separation of genders. Later, Jerry talks about how humans are always alone and Dracs share their body with both parts of themselves, able to impregnate when the time comes and continue a lineage of a single parent for each generation.
Dennis Quaid does a great job with the hyper-masculine Davidge, allowing his emotions to seep through on occasion and learning that his world can be larger than he ever thought. When Jerry offers to teach him about the Drac world and religion, Davidge dives in, even surprising himself.
The real heart of this film for me, though, has always been Louis Gossett Jr.’s Jerry. I wish that he had earned some accolades or attention for this role, because he is amazing in it. Jerry is the gentle teacher, fierce protector, kindhearted being that anyone would want to spend time with. The pain, tears, and warmth in its eyes come right through the makeup, and it reaches you. There is great dignity and integrity involved in the Drac world and you want to know as much about it as Davidge does. But Jerry is sparing, only sharing the privilege of the information as it is earned.
While Gossett Jr.’s costume and makeup are fascinating, with little bubbles moving near his mouth and egg-like coverings where our ears would be, the rest of the world is hit or miss. There are grand landscapes to behold and gorgeous areas with sand and water, but some of the critters and special effects on the planet are lacking. There are a few scenes that involve larger set pieces that the duo interact with, some of which are very cool for worldbuilding – and others that are a little less than. But at the end of the day, that isn’t really what this movie is about.
Enemy Mine is a lovely movie with heartfelt performances and a tenderhearted message about one’s chosen family. Unlike most other films of this era, this one focuses on what really counts in a very different way. It’s a beautiful story.
Runtime: 108 minutes
Motion Picture Rating: PG-13
Languages Spoken In The Film: English and a little Drac language (the meanings for which are easy to infer)
Should You Watch It? Yes
Did I Cry? I get choked up every time
My Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
Available: To rent on Prime Video or may be available for free on other streaming platforms
