|
|
|
Dating the Enemy
[Blu-ray]
Blu-ray ALL - Australia - Umbrella Entertainment Review written by and copyright: James-Masaki Ryan (23rd August 2024). |
|
The Film
 "Dating the Enemy" (1996) Brett (played by Guy Pearce) is a handsome young host of an Australian music TV program. He is neat, tidy, well versed in the ins and outs of the current alternative music scene and his charisma shines as a ladies' man. Tash (played by Claudia Karvan) is a young woman that works for a newspaper as an editor. Rather than focusing on scandal topics for a chance for the front page, she loves to research in the realm of science and technology which are her main interests. She is a bit messy and disorganized, but is focused on her work. The two meet at a mutual friend's party on Valentine's Day and even though they have nothing in common, they immediately fall head over heels for each other. After a year of dating, the couple seem to be growing apart as their incompatibilities are taking a toll, During an argument, Tash wishes that they could be in each other's shoes to see what it feels like, which magically comes true for them one evening, as their bodies become swapped. Not knowing how to return to the way they were, the two have to somehow navigate their lives by helping each other with their work, as well as figuring out the intricacies and oddities of the other gender. The concept of the body-swap film genre is far and wide - from switching between the sexes, between parent and child, old and young, human to animal, and many more. "Freaky Friday", "The Fly", "18 Again", "Your Name."… to list them all out will be a handful. The Australian film "Dating the Enemy" takes the standard opposites attract romantic comedy and injects it with the swap, and while the results are basically predictable and average, seeing the two main stars become and act as each other is the high point. The two leads played by Claudia Karvan and Guy Pearce play well off each other and it’s interesting to see how the characters slowly see the world and the relationship through each other’s eyes. There are certainly hilarious moments in the film with the awkwardness, but since it plays off so many clichés, the originality is a bit lacking. There isn't any logical explanation for their sudden body swap. (It isn't a mind swap, as they wake up in their own apartments dressed in each others' clothes suddenly.) There is a hint it is caused by a full moon but it still doesn't make any sense as to why this would happen, and even with Tash's knack for science, it remains unexplainable. There doesn't really need to be a logical reason for the swap, as it's more about the fun mishaps the characters go through. When the two swap bodies they have freshly broken up so there is already tension between the two. But they have to learn to work together to try to live out each other's lives professionally without getting fired, as well as keeping relationships with their friends. Tash has to quickly learn about the music business even though she has no idea who Pearl Jam or The Lemonheads are, in addition to reading the teleprompter and conducting professional interviews. Brett has to figure out how to write for the newspaper and conduct research. As they coach and guide each other, there are much more than work and friends that they have to get used to. It's also about getting used to their new bodies. She has to learn how to wear boxer shorts, shaving facial hair, and how to deal with a sudden erection, while he has to learn how to put on a bra, wear tights, and deal with period cramps, among many other things. There are a number of great comedic touches to individual scenes of them discovering something natural about each other's gender that they would not have otherwise come across, and the actors perform their characters quite well. Pearce and Karvan rehearsed as their respective characters and in video playback would see how they naturally moved and spoke so they could mimic each other when their characters' bodies swapped. Pearce does a fine job bringing out a feminine quality to the body swapped Tash, with the way he walks, the sudden gestures of smiles in nervous situations. Karvan is also great, bringing out some testosterone with her performance as Brett in Tash's body. From the way she sits and the swagger in walking, and the confidence in voice, she is a sight to see. The supporting cast is also noteworthy. Matt Day as Rob, Brett's coworker and friend who has had a crush on Tash and is looking to make a move on her after her and Brett split up. There is also Lisa Hensley as Laetitia, Tash's friend who is also her coworker who thinks Brett is not a good fit for her. There is also Colette (played by Pippa Grandison), the blonde bombshell who has been looking to sneak into Brett's pants for sometime and is eyeing on Brett and Tash's breakup to make her move. Megan Simpson Huberman started her career in directing for television with commercials and for series episodes in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Wanting to direct a screenplay of her own, she wrote the story of "Dating the Enemy" with some inspiration from her real life. Though she never had any experience in body swapping, the character of Tash was slightly modeled after herself and the character of Brett was modeled after her boyfriend at the time David McComb, the lead singer of The Triffids. With a shy and nerdy girl and a music based man as the leads in the story, there were some conversations that must have come from real talks and arguments from life experience, and she states that elements of Brett also come from other men including the man that became her husband when the film was eventually made. While much of the story is about the couple finding out a lot about each other's gender, there is also the heartfelt tone of them finding the importance of their individual quirks and differences and how they compliment each other rather than divide them. It's simple and not particularly mind bending, though it works as what it sets out to be in the rom-com genre. Shot in Sydney and showcasing various locations across the city, the film was not particularly "Australian" feeling in its production and was closer to that of a Hollywood feel in tone. Australian cinema was getting some international attention in the 1990s with acclaimed hits such as "Strictly Ballroom" (1992), "Romper Stomper" (1992), "The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert" (1994). From quirky works to controversial violence, the films were arthouse hits that did not play by the mainstream rules, and showcased a freshness into world cinema appeal for the period. "Dating the Enemy" was released theatrically in Australia on September 19, 1996 and was a fair hit grossing $2.6 million at the Australian box office which was fairly respectable for a homegrown feature. Although it scored international releases in across European and countries and in Japan, it was not particularly easy to market. It was an Australian feature, but plotwise it didn't fall into any arthouse genre category. It felt more like a Hollywood rom-com but it didn't have any Hollywood stars but stars. For most countries it went straight to video, and some countries like the United States didn't receive a release at all. It was completely overshadowed by "Shine" that year, the Australian biopic that became a massive critical and commercial hit worldwide, grossing $10 million in Australia and an additional $35 million internationally. "Dating the Enemy" did have a healthy life in Australia, by also becoming a big hit from its first television broadcast, as well as being a steady seller on VHS and DVD. In more recent years it has become a cult favorite appearing on various streaming sites. The film would be Huberman's only theatrical film she directed, but she has had an impressive resume by holding executive roles in the Australian screen industry with Director of Development and Production Investment at Screen NSW, Development Executive at Screen Australia, and Director of the Indivision Project Lab at the Australian Film Commission. In addition, she has run Aurora, the southern hemisphere's premium feature film script development workshop, and she is a member of the Australian Directors' Guild Women In Film Action Committee, and former board member. Note this is a region ALL Blu-ray
Video
Umbrella Entertainment presents the film in the theatrical 1,85:1 aspect ratio in 1080p AVC MPEG-4. The transfer comes from a new restoration supervised by cinematographer Steve Arnold. According to the director, the film was intended to look like a Pedro Almodóvar film with bold and vivid colors through the wardrobes and set designs. The color grading for this restoration emphasizes on the boldness and so all colors have a slightly darker and bolder look than one might be used to. Even in the brightly lit scenes, nothing seems purely white while skin tones are on the tanner side. It isn't stated what 35mm element was used for the restoration or what resolution it was digitally restored in, but it seems to be quite a grainy source and it has been left basically untouched. Film grain is quite prominent and there is no particular digital smoothening applied. Digital restoration tools have been applied to remove damage or debris, though there are some noticeable damage marks at points that have been left as is. The transfer is also framed correctly in the theatrical aspect ratio without wobble or other issues. Overall the transfer does look good, though it is a bit too dark and grain could have been managed a bit better. The film's runtime is 104:22.
Audio
English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 stereo The original Dolby Stereo track is presented here in lossless 2.0 stereo. The 90s rock cues from bands like Del Amitri, The Wonder Stuff, and others come loud and clear with the stereo separation as well as the score cues by David Hirschfelder. Dialogue is centered and always clear, and is well balanced against the music and effects. There are no issues of hiss, pops, dropout or other issues for a clean sounding audio track throughout. Note that the packaging mistakenly states the audio is in mono. There are optional English HoH subtitles for the main feature in a white font which are well timed and easy to read and also caption the song lyrics of various soundtrack cues.
Extras
Audio commentary with director Megan Simpson Huberman and Cinematographer Steve Arnold (2024) This new and exclusive commentary has Huberman and Arnold chatting together about the film nearly three decades later. They discuss shooting the film in 35mm and the choices of bold colors as well as the new restoration that Arnold supervised. In addition, they talk about shooting in Sydney, the lighting choices, the Karvan and Pearce having to study each other and rehearse as each other's parts, the real life inspirations for Huberman's script, information about the actors, the few digital effects used, the film's success theatrically and on television , 35mm widescreen. Shooting in Sydney in summer. Lighting techniques for faces. Making Colette a Marilyn blonde. The characters rehearsing playing each other, real life inspirations for the script, and more. in English Dolby Digital 2.0 without subtitles 2024 Interview with actor Matt Day (14:42) Day is interviewed here by Alexei Touliopoulos, in which they discuss about the film and his role. Talked about are his casting for the supporting role which was done about a week before production started, his approach to the character, the long coverage for the basketball scene. the on set dynamic, and more. in 1080p AVC MPEG-4, in 1.78:1, in English Dolby Digital 2.0 without subtitles "Are You Dating the Enemy?" 1996 Channel 7 TV special (46:01) This Channel 7 TV special promoting the film's theatrical release was broadcast on September 19th, 1996. It was hosted by Andrew Daddo and featured relationship expert panelists of professional matchmaker Yvonne Allen, writer Sharon George, psychologist Toby Green as they discussed about the complications and merits of love, while also featuring clips from the film as well as clips of comments from a number of celebrity actors and musicians. In addition there are clips of the OMC music video for "Right On" and a live performance of "Fingers" by Grant McLennan which were both featured on the soundtrack. Note that on the menu and the packaging it states "1996 Channel 7 feature interview with Megan Simpson Huberman" but this is an error, as Huberman is not at all in this TV special. in 1080p AVC MPEG-4, in 1.33:1, in English Dolby Digital 2.0 without subtitles Theatrical Trailer (2:30) The original Australian trailer is presented here in remastered form. The trailer has been embedded below, courtesy of Umbrella Entertainment. in 1080p AVC MPEG-4, in 1.85:1, in English Dolby Digital 2.0 without subtitles Romantic TV Trailer (0:32) Comedy TV Trailer (0:31) Two Australian TV spots are presented here, both promoting Karvan's nomination for Best Female Lead at the 1996 AFI Awards. in 1080p AVC MPEG-4, in 1.33:1, in English Dolby Digital 2.0 without subtitles This is a major upgrade of Umbrella's DVD release of the film from years ago, though it curiously lacks the OMC music video which was available on the DVD. The music video has been embedded below. Other notable clips: OMC's music video for "Right On" YOUTUBE: An insider's Guide for Pros. Intro by Megan Simpson Huberman & Ruth Harley Research & statistics on female directors - Screen NSW Female Storytellers presentation by Megan Simpson Huberman Cate Shortland on writing & directing - Screen NSW Female Storytellers moderated by Megan Simpson Huberman
Packaging
The disc is housed in a clear keep case with reversible artwork, the only difference being the Australian M rating logos are removed on the opposite side. The packaging mistakenly states region B only as it is region ALL and also mistakenly states that the audio is mono while it is in stereo. Also note the menu and packaging mistakenly states the "Are You Dating the Enemy?" TV special is a "1996 Channel 7 feature interview with Megan Simpson Huberman". Note it is also available with a limited edition slipcover designed by Margalit Cutler exclusively at the Umbrella Web Shop. It is also available in a Collector's Edition, limited to 300 copies which also includes: - 48 page book featuring an essay from Digby Houghton, behind-the-scenes, experiences and art - Custom art rigid slipcase by Margalit Cutler - Custom art slipcase by Margalit Cutler - 8 artcards - A3 reversible poster The 48 page booklet starts with an essay on the film by Digby Houghton on its themes. This is followed by "Inside Dating the Enemy" which is newly written by Huberman as she looks back at the making of the film. There is some information here that is not covered in the audio commentary such as her early career in commercial directing and the lengthy process it took from script to screen so it is definitely worth a read. There are also numerous stills from the film and promotional artwork both vintage and new. Interesting is an Italian poster which printed Guy Pearce's name incorrectly as "Guy Mason". The artcards are rigid and feature stills from the film. The reversible poster has the original theatrical artwork on one side and a textless promotional still from the same photo session of Karvan and Pearce on the other. The poster is folded and housed in the keep case, which along with its slipcover, the artcards, and booklet are housed in the rigid slipcase again with design by Cutler. The new designs by Cutler don't quite fit the tone of the film, as she used pastel colors with New Yorker-esque artwork rather than the bold and darker toned color palette of the film's look. 
Overall
"Dating the Enemy" may not be the most original rom-com out there, but it has its unique qualities for the body swap genre and is a sincere and fun rom-com that continues to be fairly enjoyable all these years later with the excellent performances by Pearce and Karvan in the leads. Umbrella's given the film an HD upgrade on Blu-ray with a great selection of new and vintage extras. While the new HD color grading is a bit dark and grainy, it is miles ahead of the old standard definition transfer and is the definitive way to see the film. Highly recommended.
|
|||||
|