DVD Review | Enough (Special Edition)
Written by: Kage Alan

Ben Affleck may have played Daredevil, but while that was all wires and such, Jennifer Lopez learned how to kick some serious ass for this film.  Maybe the reason their wedding was called off was because he was worried she’d not only beat him at the box office, but also at home.  That’s kind of amusing, actually.  In any case, I have to give credit to Lopez for adding another diverse role to her resume, especially since the film’s trailer made the film look a bit different than the final product.

Slim (Lopez, “Maid In Manhattan”) is a smalltime waitress hoping for a better life and daydreaming with her friends about someone coming in and taking her away from the depressing poverty.  Calgon take her away?  Enter Mitch Hiller (Bill Campbell, “Gods and Generals”), a knight in shining armor who not only fends off someone trying to get Slim into bed, but also offers her a very posh life.  Believing she is safe with him, Slim marries the man, enjoys the stability and happiness he provides and even has a daughter with him.  It’s the perfect life…or is it?

Unfortunately, Slim’s growing suspicions about her husband are confirmed when she discovers that he’s cheating on her.  Instead of begging for forgiveness, Mitch is just pleased it’s out in the open so he no longer has to lie.  When Slim pushes the matter, he hits her…twice.  Unwilling to be a wife whose husband beats her, she takes her daughter and runs.  After barely evading Mitch’s henchmen along with Mitch himself for several months, changing her name multiple times and frequently moving around, Slim decides she’s had enough.  After turning to a self-defense instructor, she prepares to face down her tormentor and send a very clear message that she will NOT tolerate his treatment.

While the trailers portrayed a much tighter and taut thriller, “Enough” actually takes its time establishing its characters and detailing Slim’s plight before coming to a VERY satisfying conclusion.  Could the final product have been a little tighter?  Sure, but there was an honest attempt to keep the story moving as well as turn up the tension a little at a time.  J-Lo manages to switch between vulnerable and driven very realistically and the desire to keep her daughter away from her maniac husband is paramount.  The real surprise here is Bill Campbell.  He’s the Rocketeer, a good guy!  I wasn’t used to seeing him a psycho, but he did a convincing job.

Sony has released “Enough” in a nicely solid Widescreen transfer.  Colors are sharp, but viewers are unlikely to notice because of the action on the screen.  Audio is problem free as well, so no complaints there.  Released once already on home video, this is a special edition with several extras.  First up are two audio commentaries, the first with Director Michael Apted and Writer Nicholas Kazan, the second with Producers Irwin Winkler and Rob Cowan.  Unfortunately, neither is particularly exciting.  Beyond that, we have 3 deleted scenes with optional commentary, “Max on the Set: Enough” (12min) and several featurettes; “A Clear Message” (9min), “Enough Is Enough” (11min) and “Krav Maga: Contact Combat” (8min).  There’s also a music video for Jennifer Lopez’s song “Alive”, some filmographies and trailers.

I’m uncertain why “Enough” didn’t do better at the box office.  Perhaps it was going up against a bigger film at the time of its release, but it’s obviously done well enough on DVD to warrant a special edition.  This isn’t so much a film you “enjoy” per se.  The ending is certainly enjoyable, but the rest is pure drama and thriller that viewers will find themselves getting caught up in because domestic abuse just should NOT be tolerated.  Well done.

Film Rating: B
DVD Special Features: B