Enemies, A Love Story (film)


Enemies, A Love Story is a 1989 film directed by Paul Mazursky, based on the 1966 novel Enemies, A Love Story by Isaac Bashevis Singer. The film stars Ron Silver, Anjelica Huston, Lena Olin and Margaret Sophie Stein.

Plot

Set in New York City in 1949, the story follows Holocaust survivor Herman Broder. Throughout the war he survived hidden in a hayloft, taken care of by Yadwiga, a Gentile Polish servant. His parents, wife and children were taken away by the Nazis. After the war ends, Herman is told that all of his family members perished. He marries Yadwiga, and they emigrate to the United States. He meets the beautiful, passionate Masha, a fellow survivor, and they begin an intense love affair. To Yadwiga, he poses as a traveling book-salesman; however, in reality, he is a ghost writer for a corrupt rabbi. He wanders about New York with a constant paranoia, survivor guilt and perpetual desperation, made more complicated when he receives word that a family member is searching for him: his wife from Poland, Tamara, who was thought to have died in a concentration camp.
After learning that his wife Tamara is still alive, Broder meets with her and confesses both his current marriage and affair. The situation comes to a head when Masha reports that she is pregnant. Shortly thereafter, his wife Yadwiga also tells Broder that she is pregnant. Masha divorces her husband Leon and urges Broder to marry her, finding a Rabbi to perform the ceremony without asking questions.
Now married to three wives, Broder learns that Masha was never actually pregnant. Rabbi Lembeck, having met Masha, invites the couple to a party. There, the wealthy Nathan Pescheles - who happened to meet all three wives by chance - reveals Broder's truth to the assembled crowd. Feeling angry and betrayed, Masha leaves Broder.
After a few weeks time Masha calls Broder, hoping to convince him to bolt to Florida or California with her. That night, Broder leaves his pregnant wife Yadwiga for good. Masha's mother dies the night they planned to leave town, leaving them without money for a funeral. Desperate, Masha convinces Broder to commit suicide with her by sleeping pills.
Only Masha's dead body is found in the apartment. Rabbi Lembeck pays for Masha and her mother's funeral and takes care of the hospital fees for Yadwiga. When she gives birth to a daughter named Masha, Tamara brings Yadwiga and the child home. The women search for Broder, who has disappeared.

Cast

Enemies, A Love Story holds a rating of 85% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 13 reviews.

Awards