Facing The Enemy

Facing the Enemy is an engaging and thrilling 2001 movie that blends elements of suspense, action, and crime in a fascinating narrative that keeps you captivated from beginning to end. It showcases four leading stars; Linden Ashby, Maxwell Caulfield, Alexandra Paul, and Melanie Wilson. Directed by Robert Malenfant and written by George Saunders, the movie breaks the usual monotony of mainstream storylines and truly embeds itself within the unique suspense genre.

Clinching his role as Griff McCleary, Linden Ashby convincingly portrays a dedicated detective in the LAPD, who investigates heinous crimes and serves justice. Griff is a principled man with a relentless commitment to his job forward, which often comes at the cost of his personal space and relationships. His inherent family tensions form part of the subplot of the film that feeds seamlessly into the main plotline, providing a multifaceted view of his character and depiction of his struggle on multiple fronts.

Alexandra Paul effortlessly slips into the role of Olivia McCleary, Griff's wife in the storyline. As a loving wife and mother, Olivia is constantly battling with the demands of Griff's high-risk job, adding a compelling layer of personal struggle and tension to the narrative. Paul's performance is truly exceptional, as she structures her character with apt depth and dimension, synchronizing it with the overall intensity of the plot.

Maxwell Caulfield as Erik Kritjans takes this tension to the next level, injecting the plot with a fresh touch of suspense and intrigue that you are not quite ready for. He is a foreign correspondent who becomes interwoven into the McCleary’s lives in an unexpected and shocking twist of fate.

Melanie Wilson got the part of Gwen Kritjans, Erik's wife, which she pulls off with convincing finesse. A complex character who struggles with her own vices, Gwen provides the perfect catalyst to the plot’s suspense build-up.

The director, Robert Malenfant, brilliantly leverages this talented cast to drive viewers on a edge-of-the-seat mystery-thriller roller coaster. The narrative is smart and taut, pulling you into a tale of intersecting lives, hidden motives, and uncertain alliances. Facing the Enemy keeps the viewers guessing as it explores the thin line between professional duty and personal boundaries, while questioning the length at which one person might go to protect those dear to them.

Set in Los Angeles, the movie takes every opportunity to display the city's gritty and grim underbelly, adding an authentic touch to the screenplay. The setting, seamlessly combined with the film's top-notch cinematography, gives the movie a highly atmospheric feel that pulls you in deeper to the story as it unfolds.

The film's real mastery, though, is its exploration of human emotion and dynamics in the midst of adversity. The narrative provides an introspective glimpse into the lives of the characters, deeply impacting the viewer and compelling them to question: what steps would one take when faced with a similar situation, when the walls separating professional and personal life crumble?

Filled with gripping performances and a storyline that'll leave viewers breathless, Facing the Enemy puts the audience on the edge of their seats from the opening scene to the compelling conclusion. The plot's twists and turns engage and engross, while ensuring the viewers remain captivated from beginning to end.

Facing the Enemy is a must-watch for any fan of suspense, thriller, and crime dramas. This movie beautifully arranges elements of action and mystery with a layer of intense emotional drama. The experience that this movie provides is significant and far-reaching, leaving viewers with a renewed perspective on crime dramas and a unique taste of action and suspense.