Enemy of the State 1998

As the US Congress hurtles towards passing a landmark bill granting unprecedented surveillance powers to intelligence agencies, Congressman Phil Hammersley (Jason Robards) remains steadfast in his opposition. But his determination proves futile as National Security Agency operative Thomas Reynolds (Jon Voight) cold-bloodedly eliminates Hammersley. Unbeknownst to Reynolds, the gruesome act is captured on a wildlife camera installed by researcher Daniel Zavitz (Jason Lee), whose footage is transferred to an innocuous computer disc and subsequently passed to an unsuspecting labor lawyer Robert Clayton Dean (Will Smith). With Zavitz’s life forfeit in a tragic accident involving a fire truck, Reynolds sets his sights on erasing the evidence, brutally silencing the underground journalist who initially possessed the incriminating footage.

As the NSA intensifies its pursuit of Dean, the innocent man finds himself entangled in a web of deceit. Falsely accused of leaking classified information to Rachel Banks (Lisa Bonet), a former lover, Dean’s world crumbles: he is fired from his job, his bank accounts are frozen, and his wife casts him out of their home. Pursued by the NSA, Dean seeks refuge with Banks, only to be duped into meeting an NSA agent masquerading as Brill, one of her secret contacts. Realizing his mistake, Dean narrowly escapes another trap set by the NSA, with the assistance of retired operative Edward Lyle (Gene Hackman), who helps him rid himself of most of the surveillance devices affixed to his person.

As Dean and Lyle go into hiding, the NSA strikes again, killing Banks and framing Dean for her murder. Undeterred, Lyle manages to unearth evidence of Hammersley’s assassination, but it is destroyed during a chaotic escape from an NSA raid.

As the truth begins to unravel, it becomes clear that Lyle (character) had a storied past as a communications expert for the National Security Agency, stationed in Iran prior to the Iranian Revolution. When the tumultuous events of the revolution unfolded, Lyle managed to escape the country, but his partner’s father met a tragic demise, leaving him to live in hiding ever since. Now, he attempts to persuade Dean into joining him in a desperate bid for freedom, yet Dean remains resolute in his determination to clear his name.

Dean and Lyle concoct a scheme to compromise Congressman Sam Albert (Stuart Wilson), a key proponent of the surveillance bill, by secretly recording an illicit tryst between him and his aide. With this leverage in hand, they plant bugs that had previously been used on Dean in Albert’s quarters, ensuring that he will discover them and subsequently prompt an NSA investigation. To further obfuscate their tracks, Lyle deposits a substantial sum of $140,000 into Reynolds’ bank account, making it appear as though the latter is accepting bribes.

Lyle then contacts Reynolds to reveal his possession of incriminating footage related to the Hammersley murder and requests a clandestine meeting. Dean shares the knowledge that the Hammersley murder tape is currently in the possession of notorious Mafia boss Paulie Pintero (Tom Sizemore), whose office happens to be under FBI surveillance. This information prompts Dean, Reynolds, and their NSA team to infiltrate Pintero’s restaurant, precipitating a violent shootout that claims the lives of several mobsters, Reynolds, and members of his NSA entourage.

Dean and Lyle narrowly escape with their lives, but not before Lyle disappears from the authorities’ radar. The FBI subsequently discovers the true nature behind the proposed legislation, leading to its downfall, although they choose to cover up the NSA’s involvement. As a result, Dean is cleared of all charges and reunited with his wife. Meanwhile, Lyle slips away to a tropical paradise, leaving behind a poignant farewell message for Dean.