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THE VIEWERS GET ABUSED, TOO.


Byline: Glenn Whipp Film Critic

`Enough'' is the kind of movie that shows you the Golden Gate Bridge and then feels compelled to put a ``San Francisco'' caption on the screen. It's the kind of movie where the leading lady is told, ``No one's ever going to go for you because of your looks.'' The actress? Magazine cover babe Jennifer Lopez.

Stupid? You bet. But ``Enough'' is also offensive in the way it exploits the hot-button issue of domestic abuse for cheap thrills and disgusting in the manner it repeatedly puts a small child in jeopardy, treating her as little more than a prop to be cruelly tormented. The movie is acted and staged in a way that seems inspired by the ``Itchy and Scratchy'' shorts on ``The Simpsons,'' only the creature having its eyes gouged out isn't a cartoon cat but a flesh-and-blood human being.

But that's entertainment, at least in the cravenly cynical view of the filmmakers. ``Enough'' wastes little time in cutting to the (literal) chase, discarding its early scenes of domestic bliss at the 15-minute mark. Waitress Slim (Lopez) meets her dream man, Mitch (Billy Campbell), at a restaurant. A couple of minutes later, he's cooing in her ear at their wedding reception: ``You're safe with me, Slim, and it's OK to be happy.''

That line certainly is a tip-off that things are going to take a turn. Then again, since you've probably already seen the commercials and trailers of Lopez knocking the stuffing out of Campbell (and vice versa), it's not a big secret what's going to happen. Still, Slim should have known Prince Charming had a dark side when he knocked on the door of a house she liked, told the owner he was going to buy it (it wasn't for sale) and then warned him, ``Think how crazy one determined person can make you.''

Soon enough, Mitch goes crazy on Slim's face, and Slim decides to take her toddler daughter (the unfortunate Tessa Allen) and run - not while Mitch is at work, but in the middle of the night, when he's home and the stairs are at their creakiest. After more physical abuse, Slim finally escapes and spends the rest of the movie running - until it becomes clear Mitch wants her dead. Then she says, ``Enough.'' It's a safe bet you will have already muttered that long before she does.

ENOUGH - One star

(Rated PG-13: intense scenes of domestic violence, some sensuality and language.)

Starring: Jennifer Lopez, Billy Campbell.

Director: Michael Apted.

Running time: 1 hr. 54 min.

Playing: Wide release

CAPTION(S):

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Photo:

Jennifer Lopez shares life with an abusive husband (Billy Campbell), until she decides to fight back, in ``Enough.''

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Article Details
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Title Annotation:Review; U
Publication:Daily News (Los Angeles, CA)
Date:May 24, 2002
Words:450
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