'Enemy' proves to upset primary plotline

by Jason Zingale
For The Post

Rare because, for once, it does not involve America, Enemy at the Gates takes place during World War II's historical six-month siege on Stalingrad. Directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud (Seven Years in Tibet), the film portrays the bloody confrontation between Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia between the summer of 1942 and February 1943 - a time that many historians consider the true turning point of the war.

The story begins with a trainload of young Russian soldiers spilling into Stalingrad. In an incredible attack sequence, German bullets rip through the chests of the brave ones; Russian bullets pierce the backs of the cowards and German planes dive-bomb troop transports. The stunning scene creates the colors of mud and blood, while taking into account the besieged city's cold. At the same time, Red Army officers recite threatening propaganda to masses of soldiers who would rather flee.

The action then centers on Vassili Zaitsev (Jude Law), a shepherd from the Urals who is superb with rifles, but nobody knows. But in no time he shows his unique gift by capping off a whole platoon of unsuspecting German officers. After further demonstrating his talent, a keen political officer named Danilov (Joseph Fiennes) catapults Zaitsev into a mythical hero, by writing accounts of his victories to single-handedly sustain Soviet morale.

Zaitsev then becomes such an obstacle to the German advance that Berlin soon dispatches its own sniper, Major Koenig (Ed Harris) to the scene to end his reign. From here the film becomes a one-on-one cat and mouse chase between the two men as they set traps and stalk each other through the bombed city.

But much of the personal drama between the undeniably mesmerizing action and stalking scenes fails to engage. And these scenes are tediously interrupted when a love triangle emerges with Tania (Rachel Weisz, The Mummy). The triangle involving Law, Fiennes and Weisz is weak, as is Law's halfhearted rebellion to be the campaign's only hope.

All the major cast members are wonderful in the film, with exquisite performances by Law and Fiennes. But supporting actors steal hearts with better acting and more interesting characters, including always entertaining Ron Perlman, who plays a cynical Soviet veteran and Bob Hoskins, who plays Nikita Krushchev.

The film also has some other flaws. Throughout the movie Russians speak in English and Germans speak in German, except when Ed Harris shows up, and then everyone speaks in English.

Enemy at the Gates show signs of a worthy spring competitor, providing wonderful cinematography and a change in heroic choice. But in the end time and lack of interest causes it to fizzle into a lukewarm disappointment.

3 OUT OF 5 STARS