'Enemy' finds Jake Gyllenhaal doing double duty

Gyllenhaal plays both a history professor and his doppelgänger, and director Denis Villeneuve piles on the weirdness.

|
Courtesy of A24
Jake Gyllenhaal stars in 'Enemy.'

Canadian director Denis Villeneuve directed “Enemy,” loosely derived from a novel by Nobel Prize winner José Saramago, just before he made last year’s “Prisoners.” Both star Jake Gyllenhaal, which is the best thing to be said about each film. “Enemy” actually has Gyllenhaal in two roles, as an indrawn history professor as well as his doppelgänger, an extra he notices in a DVD movie and whom he tracks down.

Movies about doubles are, almost by definition, creepy, but Villeneuve, not to be outdone, piles on the weirdness. He’s big on spider imagery, but the web is flimsy. Grade: B- (Rated R for some strong sexual content, graphic nudity, and language.)

You've read  of  free articles. Subscribe to continue.
Real news can be honest, hopeful, credible, constructive.
What is the Monitor difference? Tackling the tough headlines – with humanity. Listening to sources – with respect. Seeing the story that others are missing by reporting what so often gets overlooked: the values that connect us. That’s Monitor reporting – news that changes how you see the world.
QR Code to 'Enemy' finds Jake Gyllenhaal doing double duty
Read this article in
https://www.csmonitor.com/The-Culture/Movies/2014/0321/Enemy-finds-Jake-Gyllenhaal-doing-double-duty
QR Code to Subscription page
Start your subscription today
https://www.csmonitor.com/subscribe