Netflix recently released a new original film titled Enola Holmes, based on the book series of the same name by Nancy Springer. The film has an amazing cast, including Millie Bobby Brown, Henry Cavill, and Sam Claflin.
The titular character (Millie Bobby Brown), is the sister of famous fictional detective Sherlock Holmes (Henry Cavill). In a brief summary, Enola runs away from her older brother Mycroft (Sam Claflin), in order to search for her mother, Eudoria (Helena Bonham Carter), who has recently gone missing. The film takes place in Victorian England during a major point of governmental reform. Enola must solve the mystery that is her mother’s whereabouts and discover why her mother abandoned.
In general, Enola Holmes received positive feedback, gaining a 91% on Rotten Tomatoes. Personally, I think the movie was not as good as I expected it to be. Though the cast has been spectacular in other roles, almost all of the acting in this movie seemed too over the top. Enola breaks the fourth wall multiple times (which I usually am a sucker for), but I don’t think it worked in this movie. The writing was bland and borderline distasteful, it was hard for me to get through the whole thing in one sitting. I found myself going on my phone multiple times throughout my viewing, something I never normally do.
On a more positive note, I enjoyed the visuals. I think that the costumes did a great job representing the fashion during the Victorian Era. Historical accuracy is very important in a film like this, and I praise them for getting something right.
I’d only recommend watching this movie if you have some sort of attachment to any of the cast members. For me, I was just glad to see Sam Claflin and Helena Bonham Carter. I was expecting Little Women and I got Dolittle, so I struggle to see the appeal in this movie. Overall, it does not receive a high grade from me.