Enemies: A Love Story (1989)

A ghostwriter finds himself romantically involved with his current wife, a married woman and his long-vanished wife.

Director:

Paul Mazursky

Writers:

Isaac Bashevis Singer (novel), Roger L. Simon (screenplay)

Stars:

Ron Silver, Anjelica Huston, Lena Olin

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 4 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ron Silver	...	Herman
Anjelica Huston	...	Tamara
Lena Olin	...	Masha
Malgorzata Zajaczkowska	...	Yadwiga (as Margaret Sophie Stein)
Alan King	...	Rabbi Lembeck
Judith Malina	...	Masha's Mother
Rita Karin	...	Mrs. Schreier
Phil Leeds	...	Pesheles
Elya Baskin	...	Yasha Kobik
Paul Mazursky	...	Leon Tortshiner
L.J. Dollinger	...	Reb Nissen Yaroslaver
Zypora Spaisman	...	Sheva Haddas
Arthur Grosser	...	Doctor
Burney Lieberman	...	Yom Kippur Cantor
Nathaniel Katzman	...	Wedding Cantor

Storyline

Set in 1949 New York, a Holocaust survivor who makes a living as a ghostwriter for a Jewish rabbi, finds himself involved with three women - his current wife, a passionate affair with a married woman, and his long-vanished wife whom he thought was killed during the war and suddenly reappears. The film concentrates on the views of the Jewish survivors, who no longer abide by religious morales and question a God who could let the Holocaust occur.

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Plot Keywords:

jewish | holocaust survivor | pregnancy | post world war two | polygamist | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 December 1989 (USA)

Also Known As:

Enemigos - Una historia de amor

Filming Locations:

Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$9,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$63,636, 17 December 1989

Gross USA:

$7,754,571

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$7,754,571

Company Credits

Production Co:

Morgan Creek Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

119 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The only non-Best Picture nominee for the year to be nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay.

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Quotes

Herman: The last two men on Earth, they would kill each other.

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Connections

Featured in At the Movies: She-Devil/Driving Miss Daisy/War of the Roses/Glory/Enemies: A Love Story (1989)

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Soundtracks

Sunny Side Of The Street
Composed by Jimmy McHugh
Lyrics by Dorothy Fields
Performed by Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra

User Reviews

Great transition from the book!

After reading the novel this film was based on, I thought: "No way! There is absolutely no way they can portray these raw emotions on film!" But that's exactly what the amazing actors do! The three women are as different as they could be, but each character is spot-on. Between these 3 women (Lena Olin, Anjelica Houston and Margaret Sophie Stein) is Ron Silver, whose character's emotions are clearly displayed on his face - I don't know if he is the anchor in the movie, because at times he is overshadowed by his female co-stars, but he makes me sympathize with him.

The "old" feel of the movie is great, and I do believe that it's a realistic image of New York in the late '40s.

It might be a bit depressing, but it should be seen if not only for the acting - trust me, it's fantastic!