[REVIEW] ENOLA HOLMES (2020) Netflix Delivers!

Netflix delivers an inspiring masterpiece that allows you to escape reality at a time where we need to the most. 

Last Tuesday, September 22nd marked the first official day of fall and I don't know about you but as soon it becomes crisp and clear with a bit of a chill in the air I suddenly become compelled to watch my favorite period pieces. I suppose it all fills me up with a sense of hopefulness that I associate with those kinds of shows and movies.

So you can only imagine my sheer delight when I noticed that Netflix welcomed my favorite season with open arms by debuting its new original movie "Enola Holmes" on the following day and was set in the 1880s! But the question is, does this film deserve all of the praise it received from viewers and critics? Absolutely. But let's dive into my thoughts on why!

The Positive

Based on the Enola Holmes Mysteries written by author Nancy Springer, the film takes place in 1884, as Enola, the younger sister of Mycroft and the legendary detective Sherlock shows that sleuthing just may run in the family as she uses her various skills to outsmart her older brothers and help a runaway lord by the name of Viscount Tewksbury while on the hunt for her missing mother. 

The film stars young actress Millie Bobby Brown, known best for her work in Netflix original series Stranger Things who is supported by a cast that features the likes of Henry Cavill who plays Sherlock, and Sam Claflin who plays Mycroft, among others. 

But it is indeed Millie Bobby Brown who truly shines in her role. From the beginning, you were made to feel as if you were being brought along on this journey with her character as we see her break the fourth wall multiple times throughout the film. I felt that alone added a whole lot of extra charm and playfulness to the movie but it's her brilliant portrayal of the character that makes you feel that you really are experiencing this journey right there with her. 

Through the combination of Jack Thorne's incredible writing for the film and Millie Bobby Brown's near-perfect performance, they not only brought the character to life in such a loveable way but also brought forth a great example of a truly strong, female protagonist that made me immediately fall for Enola Holmes.

I think what makes Enola such a well-crafted, female protagonist was the fact that she didn't spend the entire film trying to prove herself to the men around her. Instead, Enola was simply fighting to be herself in a time period where women were seen as nothing more than someone to have children and take care of their husbands. Enola pushed against the norm, opting to choose her own path rather than to have other people choosing it for her.   

“The choice is always yours. Whatever society may claim, it can’t control you.” - Sherlock Holmes 

This movie really focuses on encouraging young women and reminding them that they can be whatever it is that they desire. We have a long way to go in this world but we are in control and we can choose the path we want to take in our lives. Whether you desire to be a wife and mother, a career woman, or something different entirely, it's no one's choice but your own. 

In addition to this, I felt the romance between Enola and Tewksbury (played by Louis Partridge) was handled well in this movie. Romance in a movie centered around an independent woman can be delicate but everything between them was just so subtle and natural. There is some obvious chemistry between them but I think their story in this movie, isn’t necessarily a story of love but a story of trust. 

Strong female protagonists can have love interests and still be independent so I hope to see more from Tewksbury in what I hope will be future movies. The seeds were planted and there's still plenty of room for multiple Enola Holmes movies, so let's cross our fingers!

The Negative

Truth be told, I was so impressed by this movie that I really struggled to come up with even a few minor gripes, and they don't even affect how I view the movie as a whole, hence why I still called it a masterpiece but let's talk about the two small issues that I did manage to come up with, the first being the mystery itself. 

While enjoyable, Enola's first case was probably the weakest part of the movie but being that it's an origin story, I'm alright with that. We as an audience are being introduced to Enola for the first time, and personally, I'd rather have a small, more simplistic mystery when introducing the character rather than an elaborate mystery with very little character development. 

But as much as I did adore Enola, there weren't very many noticeable flaws when it came to her character as a person. She's smart, strong, kind, and a fantastic role model, fighting for her right to be who she is. This movie very much focuses on her strengths but doesn't shed too much light on her weaknesses so should we get another movie, I'd like to see a few flaws from her just to make her feel a tad bit more relatable and realistic.

Conclusion

With Enola Holmes, Netflix has delivered an absolute masterpiece in my humble opinion.

An inspiring story that is smart, playful, and engaging while featuring a great example of what a strong female protagonist should be; This movie takes you out of the current world we’re living in and allows us to get away for a while at a time where we need to the most. 

I'll be giving Enola Holmes a five out of five star rating. I loved every moment of it with my whole heart and if you happen to be signed up for Netflix then I would highly recommend that you check it out for yourself when you have a moment, you will not regret it. 

Have you seen Enola Holmes? If so, I'd love to hear your thoughts on the movie! You can let me know all of your opinions by tweeting me over at @RR_Everything! That's where I talk about all sorts of shows and movies as well as post updates on my reviews and future projects! I can't wait to hear from you!