Sharpe's Enemy

It's good to see that British TV, unlike its American counterpart, occasionally presents entertainment programming that can be enjoyed by people with IQ's higher than a potted plant.

Sharpe's Enemy is actually one episode in a 14-part British TV mini-series, all called Sharpe's Something. I have only seen four episodes, but I was impressed. It's a good series about the uneasy alliances in the late stages of the Napoleonic Wars. It features excellent character development, interesting historical trivia, and a very charismatic lead performance by Sean Bean. It has always amazed me that North America has embraced some lesser talents from the Isles like Liam Neeson, but the very talented Bean, despite seeming to possess the right combination of irony and rugged good looks, has stayed largely a British secret except for a chance to be a Bond bad guy.

Although the film production is straightforward and uncreative, and the visual quality of the DVD is abysmal, I still enjoyed Sharpe's Enemy because of the witty tricky, script, as well as the performances. Sharpe's Whatevers always feature some interesting performers in minor roles This particular episode has Hurley, Assumpta Serna, and Pete Postlethwaite.

By the way, I'm sorry to report to his fans that People Magazine passed over Postlethwaite yet again for that world's sexiest man thing.

This episode, although enjoyable enough, is actually rated the lowest of the 14 at IMDB, and that should give you an indication that it's a pretty good little series.

But I'm rambling, and our guest reviewer, New York Guy, wrote the most perceptive review of the episode - "here's yer fokkin' review - Elizabeth Hurley's knockers - now, review dis (grabs crotch)".

So there you go, his coveted "one crotch up", and a review that cuts straight to the heart of the episode's greatest appeal.

NUDITY REPORT

Elizabeth Hurley showed her breasts once, and her areolae also fell out in a wrestling-type encounter.

DVD info from Amazon.

bare-bones, full screen

I was impressed that the scriptwriter had the daring to kill off a major sympathetic character in this episode, but of course, like New York Guy, I was even more impressed when Elizabeth Hurley removed her blouse.

The Critics Vote

no reviews on line

The People Vote ...

With their votes ... IMDB summary: IMDb voters score it 6.4

IMDb guideline: 7.5 usually indicates a level of excellence, about like three and a half stars from the critics. 6.0 usually indicates lukewarm watchability, about like two and a half stars from the critics. The fives are generally not worthwhile unless they are really your kind of material, about like two stars from the critics. Films under five are generally awful even if you like that kind of film, equivalent to about one and a half stars from the critics or less, depending on just how far below five the rating is.

My own guideline: A means the movie is so good it will appeal to you even if you hate the genre. B means the movie is not good enough to win you over if you hate the genre, but is good enough to do so if you have an open mind about this type of film. C means it will only appeal to genre addicts, and has no crossover appeal. D means you'll hate it even if you like the genre. E means that you'll hate it even if you love the genre. F means that the film is not only unappealing across-the-board, but technically inept as well.

Based on this description, this film is a C+. Really a good period piece. Interesting script, good characterizations. Enjoyable.