Enemy of the State Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Will Smith gets a mixtape, but turns out it’s a diss track from the government, so he teams up with a grumpy old hacker to clap back.

🍿 Enemy of the State: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Assassination and the Evidence

Congressman Hammersley, opposed to a new surveillance bill, is murdered by NSA official Reynolds. The murder is inadvertently recorded by wildlife researcher Daniel Zavitz. Zavitz, realizing what he has, attempts to get the evidence out, ultimately crossing paths with lawyer Robert Clayton Dean.

Dean Becomes the Target

Unknowingly, Zavitz passes the incriminating disc to Dean. The NSA, led by Reynolds, quickly identifies Dean as a potential threat and begins a campaign to discredit and isolate him. Dean’s life unravels as his career, finances, and marriage are systematically destroyed by the NSA’s surveillance and manipulation.

Enter Brill

Desperate, Dean seeks help from Rachel Banks, who connects him with Brill, a former NSA operative with expertise in surveillance and counter-surveillance. Brill, initially reluctant, agrees to help Dean clear his name and expose Reynolds’ conspiracy. Their partnership becomes a crucial element in Dean’s fight for survival.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Robert Clayton Dean (Will Smith): A successful lawyer whose life is turned upside down when he unknowingly receives evidence of a politically motivated murder.
• Brill (Gene Hackman): A former NSA agent living off the grid, who uses his skills to help Dean and expose the conspiracy.
• Thomas Brian Reynolds (Jon Voight): A corrupt NSA official who orchestrates a murder and uses surveillance to cover his tracks.
• Rachel Banks (Lisa Bonet): Robert Dean’s ex-girlfriend and source for contacting Brill, who gets caught in the crossfire.
• Carla Dean (Regina King): Robert’s wife and an ACLU lawyer who experiences the impact of the surveillance firsthand.
• Daniel Zavitz (Jason Lee): Robert’s old friend, who inadvertently captured a murder on camera and passes the evidence to Dean, setting off the film’s events.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Brill: “The government’s been in bed with the entire telecommunications industry since the forties. They’ve infected everything.” – Brill explains the extent of government surveillance capabilities to Dean.
• Brill: “You’re not paranoid if they’re really after you.” – Brill’s cynical observation about Dean’s predicament, highlighting the real danger he faces.
• Robert Clayton Dean: “What the hell is happening?” – Dean’s desperate question as his life unravels due to government surveillance.
• Brill: “Because you made a phone call.” – Brill explains his drastic action of blowing up a building to Dean, emphasizing the danger of being tracked via phone.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $90,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $111,549,836
• Worldwide Gross: $250,849,789

💥 Enemy of the State Reviews

Personal Review

I remember watching this movie for the first time and being absolutely hooked! The paranoia was palpable, and the idea that the government could be watching you was genuinely terrifying. Will Smith was great as the everyman caught in this insane situation, but Gene Hackman just stole the show. His character, Brill, was so intriguing and mysterious. The whole thing felt like a rollercoaster, and I still get a thrill watching it even now! Especially the scene where Brill blows up the building. Classic!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of action-packed thrillers”
  • “Viewers interested in themes of government surveillance”
  • “Those who enjoy movies with strong performances from Will Smith and Gene Hackman”
  • “Individuals seeking a thought-provoking yet entertaining film”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Brief scenes of a sexual nature”
  • “Themes of government conspiracy and corruption”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “A relentlessly paced thriller that taps into contemporary anxieties about government surveillance, ‘Enemy of the State’ delivers edge-of-your-seat action and compelling performances from Smith and Hackman. Tony Scott’s direction keeps the tension high, though the tech can feel a bit far-fetched.
• RogerEbert.com: “While perhaps over-the-top in its depiction of NSA capabilities, ‘Enemy of the State’ raises important questions about privacy and power. Hackman’s performance is a standout, echoing his role in ‘The Conversation’. Smith holds his own in a more serious role than usual, crafting a compelling everyman.
• The New York Times: “‘Enemy of the State’ is a slick, fast-moving thriller that offers plenty of excitement, but lacks depth. It’s essentially a chase movie with a message, elevated by the strong chemistry between Smith and Hackman. The plot is convoluted, but the action is undeniably thrilling.

Audience Reactions

The fast-paced action and suspense kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time!: Viewers praise the film’s relentless pacing, suspenseful plot, and the strong performances of Will Smith and Gene Hackman.

Hackman’s performance as Brill was outstanding; he truly made the movie!: Many appreciate the film’s exploration of privacy concerns in the digital age, finding it thought-provoking and relevant.

Overall Consensus: A thrilling and suspenseful movie that offers a compelling story about government surveillance and the fight for privacy. The strong performances and fast-paced action make it a highly enjoyable watch.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Gene Hackman initially turned down the role of Brill several times. Director Tony Scott personally called him to convince him to take the part.”
• “Will Smith took a pay cut to work with Gene Hackman, as he admired him and wanted the opportunity to collaborate.”
• “Many of the surveillance technologies depicted in the film were based on then-current or near-future possibilities, adding to the film’s sense of realism and paranoia.”
• “The film makes several references to Francis Ford Coppola’s ‘The Conversation,’ in which Gene Hackman plays a surveillance expert; his character in ‘Enemy of the State’ is seen as a possible continuation of that role.”

🖥️ How to Watch Enemy of the State?

Enemy of the State is available to rent or purchase on various platforms, including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable and satellite options. Physical copies (DVD and Blu-ray) are also available through online retailers like Amazon and at most major stores.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Enemy of the State, you might like these similar films:

• The Conversation (1974): Starring Gene Hackman as a surveillance expert, it explores themes of privacy and paranoia, directly influencing the character of Brill in ‘Enemy of the State’.
• Three Days of the Condor (1975): A CIA researcher finds his colleagues murdered and must go on the run, uncovering a conspiracy within the agency, echoing the themes of government corruption and surveillance.
• The Fugitive (1993): An innocent man wrongly accused of a crime must evade capture while trying to uncover the truth, similar to Dean’s desperate flight from the NSA.
• Snowden (2016): Based on the true story of Edward Snowden, this film examines the ethics of government surveillance in the digital age, a theme directly explored in ‘Enemy of the State’.

🛒 Enemy of the State Related Products

• Enemy of the State [Blu-ray]: High-definition Blu-ray edition of the film, offering enhanced picture and sound quality for an immersive viewing experience. Perfect for collectors and fans of the movie.
• The Conversation [Blu-ray]: Own Francis Ford Coppola’s ‘The Conversation’, starring Gene Hackman. A must-own for fans of ‘Enemy of the State’, this thriller explores paranoia and surveillance in the pre-digital age. A classic film and a perfect companion piece.
• I Know What You Did Last Summer (4K UHD): Own the movie that made Will Smith a megastar. Own a collector’s piece.
• The Conversation – Movie Poster: High-quality poster of the classic film that inspired the Hackman character. Perfect for displaying your love for the movie and its themes.

🎧 Soundtrack

Enemy of the State features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “O Come All Ye Faithful” – performed by The Accidentals
• “Main Titles” – performed by Harry Gregson-Williams & Trevor Rabin
• “Photo Opportunity” – performed by Harry Gregson-Williams & Trevor Rabin

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

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