La voie de l'ennemi

Though the script is somewhat plodding, the film has a genuine quality to it. Forest Whitaker is good as the tormented parolee. Harvey Keitel plays the revenge seeking sheriff. It is Brenda Blethyn however who steals every scene she is in, as Whitaker's parole officer. I would agree that not much happens in this film, yet it is it's low key performances that keep the viewer intrigued. The cast is first rate. In addition to Whitaker, Keitel, and Blethyn, Luis Guzman and Ellen Burstyn also are quite good. If there is a problem, it is with the ending, which is somewhat unresolved, and hangs uncomfortably. I should also mention that the extra on the DVD titled Fences", is very interesting and timely. The interviews with border residents, for and against the border wall, are very informative. - MERK

The Good: Brenda Blethyn acting was natural, and you feel it is your mom, and you are connected to her.

Harvey Keitel missed him lately, and filled his role.

Forest Whitaker is excellent as usual in his acting, but not convincing in practicing Islamic prayer, from a Muslim perspective...it might be OK for westerner just to mumble and put water on his hand, but that is not how we prepare for prayer or pray.

The Bad: Prayer scenes to start with. Usually a Muslim convert is a devoted Mulsim as he converted into this faith cause he found himself in it and the religion was not reflected on his character, other than pretending to be calm or looking for peace...not convincing that much...Religion was there for just being there with no added value.

The Ugly: I have it when there is no effort is spent to have the Muslim practice correct in the film, and worse when the producer and director of the movie is supposed to know more about Muslim practice. The preparation for the prayer was wrong, and the recitation of the prayer was stupid!

My summary line making the point that this is a remake many years removed from its (french) original. I haven't watched the original, so I cannot tell you how the two movies compare. I can only judge this by its own merits (and faults). What I can say, is that Whitaker is giving an excellent performance. It's also nice to see Harvey Keitel in a bigger role, even if it sometimes turns a bit comic evil, he has the gravitas to pull it in.

The age old question within this movie is: can we escape our pasts? Can we change and become someone/something different? Can we ever truly repent and is there such a thing as forgiveness? Those are heavy topics and the movie does not stay away from other topics as well (like religion, though it's not really made a big strong point, other than being there). You can tell early on, if this is the kind of "entertainment" you like to watch or not ... the rhythm/pace stays the same throughout (occasional outbursts excluded)

A big disappointment for me. Brenda Blethyn totally miscast with her fake accent, Keitel way past his best and Whitaker did his best with a very weak story and dialogue.

It's just a rather tragic film with really little merit imo.

First time to see it tonight . Of course Forest Whitaker performance is excellent , movie as a whole is average . Have one or two remarks . Why a black man ? it could have been a white man and the same events would have happened with him too !!! or was that to reflect a raciest problem ? that wasn't clear too .

Why make him a " Muslim " who converted to Islam during his 18 years prison time ? what really reflected that ? from my view as a Muslim ...nothing but view shots but not a behavior , he drinks , living with a woman without marriage ...which would have been more normal behavior for a regular Muslim not a converted , practicing ones ,who prays at Mosque , ones whom usually have stronger faith .