Movie Overview

• Title: Enough

• Release Date: May 24, 2002 (U.S.)

• Genre: Psychological Thriller / Drama

• Director: Michael Apted

• Cast: Jennifer Lopez (Slim Hiller), Billy Campbell (Mitch Hiller), Tessa Allen (Gracie), Juliette Lewis (Ginny), Dan Futterman, Noah Wyle, Fred Ward

• Where to Watch: Available for rent or streaming on platforms like JustWatch, or other VOD services

1. Plot Summary

Enough centers on Slim Hiller, a working-class waitress whose dream life unravels when her marriage turns abusive. She escapes with her young daughter, Gracie, only to be relentlessly pursued by her formidable husband. In order to survive and protect her child, Slim transforms herself—both mentally and physically—training in self-defense and planning her fight back, setting the stage for a tense and visceral confrontation.

2. Notable Elements

• Jennifer Lopez’s Performance: Critics like Stephen Holden praised her for embodying a “forceful, streetwise woman who stands up for herself” with palpable physical menace.

• Vivid Final Act: The last twenty minutes stand out—Slim’s training and retribution create a memorable “lean, mean fighting machine” sequence praised even by harsh critics.

• Stylized Thriller Approach: The film leans into thriller tropes—dramatic chases, life-or-death standoffs, booby traps—creating an exaggerated tone that some view as both entertaining and heavy-handed.

3. Themes and Messages

• Empowerment Through Adversity: Slim’s evolution from victim to proactive survivor conveys the message that one can reclaim agency even in dire situations.

• Breaking Free and Holiday Relevance:

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  The film’s message of liberation and inner strength resonates deeply during the holidays—when themes of hope, renewal, and personal bravery are especially meaningful.

• Domestic Violence Awareness: While dramatized, the film spotlights the horrors of abuse and the lengths to which one must go to escape it. Its exaggerated tone may undermine the realism, but it raises awareness nonetheless.

4. Personal Impressions

Enough is compelling for its unrelenting energy and transformation arc. Jennifer Lopez delivers a committed performance that anchors the film’s emotional stakes. However, the script’s extremes—an over-the-top abusive husband, rapid training montage, and improbable plot beats—sometimes strain believability. Roger Ebert criticized the caricature-like villain and melodramatic structure.

5. Audience Recommendations

You might enjoy Enough if you:

• Appreciate empowerment thrillers where the protagonist fights back.

• Prefer action-heavy dramas with emotional stakes.

• Are drawn to female-led revenge narratives that embrace intensity over subtlety.

6. Conclusion & Rating

Enough may not be a nuanced drama, but it’s a bold, adrenaline-fueled tale of survival and empowerment. Jennifer Lopez’s performance brings credibility to an otherwise exaggerated thriller. While flawed, it earns its watch for sheer momentum and cathartic payoff.
Rating: ⭐⭐☆☆☆ (2/5)