En folkefiende (2005) User Reviews

A hard to enjoy yet incredibly thought-provoking film.

[ilovefreefood · 6/10 · 5 April 2010]

I'll preface this review by saying that I have not read the play. I watched this movie with a pizza, bottle of beer, and no expectations for what I was going to see. And I actually found Erik Skjoldbjærg's En Folkefiende to be incredibly thought provoking, feature great acting, and full of gorgeous cinematography.

En Folkefiende, An Enemy of the People, blatantly asks, "Who is the enemy of the people?" And as the movie progresses, the question turns to "What" instead of "Who". Major themes centered on basic human nature are introduced that take a bit to fully grasp. Truth, power, gender, propaganda. At times, it was hard to figure out how everything fit together, but I thought about it for days afterwards.

In addition to the psychology of the movie, the acting and camera work were excellent. The characters played their roles incredibly well, and screen shots of immense scenery, uncomfortable transitions, and general feeling of things not being as they seem, created a unique sense of removal and absorption at the same time.

Overall, I found this movie to be incredibly worth seeing. The ideas and movie were definitely consuming and interesting. But I didn't find the movie itself enjoyable. At all. It took a bit to get going, got intense with a bit of confusion, and ended abruptly. But I loved how it made me think afterwards. And I enjoyed thinking about the ideas presented.

Great potential, poor result.

[andreasrindal · 2/10 · 2 December 2014]

Henrik Ibsen is one of the greatest writers ever, so the story should have great potential. When you combine a great story with the beautiful Norwegian scenery the result should be excellent.

But sadly, the poor directing and terrible acting overshadows it all. The thing that annoyed me the most, is the fact that the actors talk with dialect. This dialect does not fall natural for the actors. They pay way too much attention on talking correctly, therefore are they having big trouble expressing feelings.

Awful movie, end of story!

AR

Don't think Ibsen, think modern European film ... with great scenery ...

[londonviewer · 7/10 · 1 December 2005]

I went to see this film as part of the Norwegian Film Festival in London, with the director on stage afterwards for a Question & Answer session. I really enjoyed the film - the lead character was very interesting, it has a well developed plot, and a few great supporting characters/actors.

The director's insight afterwards was illuminating - he revealed that the lead character was loosely based on Michael Moore. He also talked about his other films - he expressed pride in Prozac Nation, despite the lack of a widespread release, and he even said that he was reasonably happy with the Hollywood remake of Insomnia.

Definitely a thought provoking film that is worth seeing for its examination of those who don't go along with mainstream opinions, and flawed hero characters ... without a nicely tied up ending!

Nah. Don't bother. Watch the play instead.

[xcat · 3/10 · 3 October 2012]

A great original play. Transformed into boring TV movie format. Ibsen's condensed script just won't translate into 90 minutes of silver screen (or more likely, your TV). Best actors available, fabulous scenery, one of Norway's best of new-breed directors can't rescue an awful idea: converting 1900-style theater into same-length feature film. A movie version of the stage play would have been better. This adaption just doesn't cut it. Main character's madness, the treason of the intellectuals, the resounding ambivalence of last paragraph - nothing is retained. What remains is a boring environmental issue story.

Kudos for trying to update the story, but really: does it have to be updated?

Forgettable. Too bad, since the play is one of the most painful and exciting stories ever to have been created.

In Ibsens spirit

[Atavisten · 7/10 · 7 October 2005]

This adaptation of the brilliant play has a great humour about itself. Thomas Stockmann has been the sleuth uncovering the dirt and skeletons of the big corporations, but as his TV show gets so popular and so much money is involved that he must compromise his independency; he decides to tap water from Bredal instead. When he finds out later that the water is poisonous he struggles hard against his family, the tappery and the town where it is based.

What takes a bit away from it is that it could tighter dramaturgically. Not much, but a little bit. Else the actors are fine, the setting in Sogn gorgeous and the directing good. The music by Jan Garbarek (which I usually don't feel too much for) fitted the movie very well. One other thing: why does so many people talk the siddis dialect, when it has nothing to do with the south-western are of Norway at all?? Annoying.

Just a great flick

[larsalec · 10/10 · 13 April 2005]

Short: It's a great flick, which shows us how one single man will struggle against the majority, with an unexpected ending. Also the fact that the flick's main character is willing to give up something he has worked hard in order to do what he thinks is morally right, and the way it turns out really opened my eyes. Sometimes maybe it's best to go with the flow, after all.

Be aware, though, it might be difficult to follow, since there's a lot of switching between centring the issue at hand and the personal issues the characters live through.

Not giving any spoilers, it teaches us all a lesson, more than those movies showing us some great American struggling against everyone and winning. Maybe you won't like the moral, but it is undeniably true. Two thumbs up.