Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.5

L' ennemi intime Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov January 15, 2009

Based on Patrick Rotman’s self-titled book, Florent Emilio Siri’s “L’ennemi intime” a.k.a “Intimate Enemies” (2007) focuses on the highly controversial Algerian war (1954-1962), and France’s struggle to prevent its colony from gaining independence. Tackling a number of controversial themes, some of which still unresolved, the film goes on to deliver an important message with style impossible not to admire. Courtesy of French distributors M6 Video. English-friendly and Region-Free.

In Algeria

An idealistic French lieutenant with little combat experience (Benoit Magimel) is ordered to neutralize a mysterious resistance leader deep into the Algerian countryside. A few days later, he clashes with a tough, well-respected sergeant (Albert Dupontel) who criticizes his idealism and tells him that he will crack just as everyone else has. The lieutenant walks away.

As the search mission progresses, the lieutenant witnesses unspeakable violence. He becomes frustrated by his comrades’ - born and raised in Algeria - hatred towards the locals and those who disrespect French values.

Aside from showing the complete psychological and moral degradation amongst the French troops during the Algerian war, Florent Emilio Siri’s L’ennemi intime spends a good amount of time exploring the internal tensions between the Algerians, who sided with the French Arm,y and the Algerians, who joined FLN (the National Liberation Army). In fact, there are entire sections from the film where the focus of attention switches completely from the two protagonists, played by Benoit Magimel and Albert Dupontel, to the difficult moral dilemma the locals are faced with.

Perhaps the strongest asset of Lennemi intime, however, is its ability to effectively recreate the sense of chaos that reigned on both sides of the conflict – the French, trapped in an unfamiliar territory where a partisan-style warfare is gradually eroding their confidence, and the Algerians, uncertain about their national allegiance. Unsurprisingly, some of the most powerful scenes in L’ennemi intime show Algerian soldiers and civilians torn between defending their homeland and fighting for their future as French citizens.

L’ennemi intime is also a very symbolic film. It is the first mainstream film to openly address the Algerian war (France officially recognized that there was a war in Algeria in October of 1999). As such, it opens the door for a number of legitimate historical corrections, given the French government’s stance on many controversial issues pertaining to General de Gaulle’s handling of the Algerian insurrection.

L’ennemi intime dazzles with its large panoramic vistas from the Algerian countryside. Cinematographer Giovanni Fiore Coltellacci’s terrific lensing grants the film with a stylishly faded look that blends effectively with the depressing narrative. The terrific use of color for example, particularly during the combat scenes, will surely evoke comparisons with Oliver Stone’s award-winning Platoon. Finally, the moody soundtrack by Alexandre Desplat (Ang Lee’s Lust, Caution) adds a sense of finesse to L’ennemi intime that makes the emotional turmoil the main protagonists are faced with that much more powerful.

L' ennemi intime Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 2.33:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Florent Emilio Siri's L'ennemi intime a.k.a Intimate Enemies (2007) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of French distributors M6 Video.

This is the second disc from the French distributors to reach my desk and I must confess that I am utterly impressed with the quality of their transfers. First of all, the color-scheme of L'ennemi intime is fantastic. Greens, blues, yellows and whites are very effective in the large panoramic vistas from the Algerian countryside. Contrast and clarity are also stellar – you will be able to see plenty of the nighttime action as well as the intense battles taking place during the day. Edge-enhancement is practically non-existent. I was able to notice it only once (while I was watching the film on my large TV set), but I feel very confident stating that you won't be bothered by it at all. Furthermore, even though the transfer is pleasingly sharp and boasting that marquee "popping" look many are looking for, it is also plausibly nuanced - fine film grain has been preserved while DNR has definitely not been applied. The actual quality of the print is superb - there are no specks, debris, or dirt. To sum it all up, this is one incredibly solid-looking Blu-ray disc from a company I will be following closely. (Note: Even though this Blu-ray disc is marketed as Region-B, it is in fact Region-Free. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your PS3 or SA regardless of your geographical location).

L' ennemi intime Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

A French DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is what you will find on this Blu-ray disc. The audio treatment M6 Video have provided for L'ennemi intime very much mirrors the video treatment – it is spectacular. There is plenty of activity in the rear channels. Furthermore, the dialog is crisp, clear and expertly balanced with Alexandre Desplat's moody soundtrack (who also contributed to Ang Lee's Lust, Caution). Additionally, silence has a very prominent role in L'ennemi intime and you would notice how effortlessly the DTS-HD MA track treats it. Finally, I did not detect any hissing, pops, or cracks to report here. For the record, M6 Video have provided optional, but surprisingly small, English and Arabic subtitles (they appear outside of the image frame).

L' ennemi intime Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

There are a number of supplemental materials on this disc but, unfortunately, they are not subtitled in English. They are also in standard-def PAL so unless you have a player capable of converting PAL-NTSC, or a TV set capable of accepting PAL signal directly, you won't be able to access the following extras:

- Making Of
- An Interview with the director of Intimate Enemies Florent-Emilio Siri
- A Documentary (Patrick Rotman's original documentary feature)
- Comparisons and storyborads
- The premiere of Intimate Enemies
- Intimate Enemies at Festival International du Film du Caire
- Interviews with Alexandre Desplat (Composer), Giovanni Fiore Coltelacci (Director of Photography), Pierre Schoendoerffer (Producer), and cast.
- Decors and Costumes
- Gallery of Stills
- Trailers (in English and French)

L' ennemi intime Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Gritty, powerful and expertly-scripted, Florent Emilio Siri's L'ennemi intime is undoubtedly one of the strongest films made to ever tackle the senselessness and ambiguity of the Algerian War. Its political message is loud and clear, but how far it would reach remains to be seen. The Blu-ray disc herein reviewed, courtesy of French distributors M6 video, is of spectacular quality. It is also Region-Free and English-friendly. Very Highly Recommended.