Rating 58/100
I’m starting to see a trend with these movies claiming to be woke. They’re throwing in everything but the kitchen sink so that no single topic actually gets the attention that it deserves.
And for a movie that’s so woke, why was it written by a man….?
Enola Holmes was not the movie that I wanted it to be. I mean, it’s a lot better than a B rated TV movie (I know this is Netflix, but they aren’t exempt for the title). Did you watch the latest To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before or Kissing Booth 2? Enola Holmes is better than both of those… not a lot better. It just didn’t fall as flat. Either way, you shouldn’t watch it for the plot. You should really watch the movie for the romance that blossoms between Enola and Tewesbury.
Now, if you’re a teenager, you might be screaming the opposite at me, because Enola Holmes is everything a teenager would love. It’s the young adult book equivalent for movies.
Issue 1… breaking the fourth wall really didn’t work. It was over used and for all the wrong reasons, like exposition. Do I harp on exposition too much? It’s my number one deal breaker and the number 1 fault of all writers, screen and book variety. The audience doesn’t want everything spelled out for them, especially when it comes in the form of a weird fourth wall break that slows down the suspense in the story. A coinciding scene of Enola sparring with her mom would have been sufficient.
It sometimes feels like writers have no faith in their audience.
Issue 2… it was the whole kitchen sink thing. Okay, a woman doesn’t need a man and she should be able to make her own choices, but did we need the absolute epitome of evil villains shown in Mycroft? Or how about the constant barrage throughout the film? I’m worried the creative direction will be to keep Enola independent, so that all relationships in the film will be shoved aside. That’s not healthy either my friends. Women and men can cohabitate in harmony. Is it so wrong to show a man supporting a woman or does said woman need to completely shun the other sex just to make a point?
That’s only the first kitchen sink item. The list is actually endless and tiring, so that I never knew what to focus my attention on.
Now don’t get me started on the topic of diversity. There was such a lack of it and what they did have was put in all the wrong places. In the end, it made the creators look bad, showing what little thought they put into it.
Issue 3… believability. There’s corny and then there’s corny. Oh… and why not make it very clear what is being solely used as a plot device. Can I get some believability here? And now many times am I going to see someone shot or stabbed in a movie where the very thing in their pocket saves them? *eye roll* I’m sorry to inform you, but that stunt has been overdone. And during all of the fight scenes, let’s forget that we’ve been told, shown, made clear, that Enola knows how to fight, yet she lets an attacker grab her from the back. Hmmmmmm… How does that fit into the whole woman empowerment thing?
All in all, my biggest complaint is how much they over explained everything. Wait… I’m changing that. My biggest complaint is all the loose ends.
After all of that, we can head onto some good things… Henry Cavil was great…. He is the main reason my friends and I watched the movie to begin with (my one friend might be the tiniest bit obsessed with him, I suggest you run Henry). I would probably have gotten sucked in by the trailer at some point though. Netflix was a beast when it came to advertising the movie.
I’m also really into the movie’s aesthetic. The key details come down to set design and costumes. The score then ties it all together with a beautiful bow.
Again, this movie isn’t about the plot. It’s about the romance. And when you’re done, might I suggest you watch the copious amount of fan art pouring out about the pair of them. It’s a little much and just the right amount at the same time. This romance is why I’m worried about the future. There’s already a future planned too. The creator has hopes for four more movies. I guess we’ll just have to see if they all get made.
And Netflix, if you’re reading this, I need more of Enola and Tewkesbury and the gate scene. Thank you….
Happy Watching
Love Kait