Role reversal

November 6, 1996
Issue 

Dating the Enemy
Written and directed by Megan Simpson Huberman
Reviewed by Afrodity Giannakis

Dating the Enemy is a gender-swap comedy in the tradition of many popular movies of the '80s. In this one, the change happens in two ways, with a woman and a man mutually switching bodies.

The two main characters, Tasha (Claudia Karvan) and Brett (Guy Pearce), have been in a relationship for a year when the gender change takes place. As a reaction to conflict between the lovers, Tasha wishes that Brett could feel what she is feeling, but also that she could be him to show him how unacceptable his behaviour has become. Her wish comes true.

Even though the two characters are not crudely stereotypically male and female (for example, Brett is extremely appearance-conscious), the body swap consequences very much involve gender-role issues.

Through the experience of being in each other's bodies, the two characters go through a journey of discovery about each other, as well as themselves, which gradually smooths over some rough edges in the relationship, and eventually leads to a new level of maturity.

The film is definitely not a profound critical analysis of gender-role models and their impact on female-male relationships. For one thing, it's not at all clear who "the enemy" is. The film is also irritatingly conventional in its assumptions and cliched ideas at times. However, it does give some thought-provoking insights into gender-roles, albeit in a light-hearted and fun way.

Running through most of the movie is the awareness that the person on the screen is actually not the gender they seem to be and there are some interesting gender-twisting scenes involving the experience of straight (heterosexual) sex from the other gender's perspective.

The two characters are appealing, although I would have liked to have seen more of them before the gender swap to be able to compare their pre- and post-body swap states.

Dating the Enemy moves along quite vivaciously and holds the viewer's interest. The editing and directing are of a high standard and the two lead actors perform remarkably well in demanding roles. Overall, the movie is entertaining, funny, and well worth seeing.

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