In the Presence of Mine Enemies

 

In the Presence of Mine Enemies 1997

• Director: Joan Micklin Silver
• Based on the book: no
• Cast: Armin Mueller-Stahl, Charles Dance, Elina Löwensohn, Chad Lowe, Don McKeller
• Personal “oh yeah him/her” reaction, i.e. have seen this actor in:
• Armin Mueller-Stahl – The X Files Fight the Future, Shine, Kafka, Night on Earth
• Charles Dance – The Book of Vision, Johnny England Strikes Again, Euphoria, That Good Night, Victor Frankenstein, Game of Thrones, Woman in Gold, The Imitation Game, Merlin, Starter for 10, Gosford Park, Hilary & Jackie, Michael Collins, Alien 3
• Elina Löwensohn – La Guerre est declarée, Venus Noire, Un long dimanche de fiancailles, Schindler’s List 
• Don McKeller – Scott Pilgrim vs the World, Slings and Arrows, eXistenZ, The Red Violin
•  Why? The subject
• Seen: 6 March 2024 

       Warsaw 1942. Rabbi Adam Hiller (Mueller-Stahl) tries to quell the rising urge for violent revolt in the ghetto against the Nazi oppressors. He is increasingly burdened by the appeals for help from his people as Nazi atrocities escalate. His son Paul (McKeller), escaped from a camp, burns for violent revenge. His daughter Rachel (Löwensohn) is raped by a German officer. His faith falters and he goes a little mad.

       It should be a very powerful film. Maybe for young people for whom this is their first exposure to this historical period, it is. But it’s filled with clichés and stereotypes and bad dialog.      

 

2½ * of 5