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'Enola Holmes': Fans love handsome Lord Tewksbury and feminist Sherlock heroine but say romance was needless

The film set in 19th century England sees Enola escaping to search for her mother in London. But when her journey finds her entangled in a mystery surrounding a young runaway Lord, Enola becomes a super-sleuth in her own right

Spoilers for ‘Enola Holmes’

Netflix’s ‘Enola Holmes’ is a fast-paced, clever, and hugely entertaining film. In what can easily be called a feminist Sherlock Holmes spin-off, the film follows the titular lead played by Millie Bobby Brown, who is the younger sister of Sherlock and Mycroft Holmes, as she embarks on a quest to find her missing mother.

One of the things in this enjoyable film that does not sit quite well, however, is the somewhat forced romance between Enola and the young viscount, Lord Tewksbury (Louis Partridge), on the run. In the film, there is a sinister plot to kill Lord Tewksbury. And, as the film progresses, we see it is none other than his sweet old grandmother, the Dowager, (Frances de la Tour) who is behind it. She believed that “reforms” like allowing the universal right to vote to every man and woman, regardless of their gender, education, or status would destroy her idea of England. 

The young viscount, Lord Tewksbury, and his late father before him had more progressive views, which the Dowager thought was a threat to the country. This led her to have her own son killed and attempt to have her grandson murdered as well. Enola, by rescuing Lord Tewksbury, secures the path to progress and a more egalitarian England because Lord Tewksbury's vote is the deciding one in favor of reforms that would ultimately lead to universal suffrage.

But the feminist message in the film is not the glue that would hold this budding romance together. Each time the two are thrown together, the scenes are awkward at best. The romance often seems somewhat forced, even though both Brown and Partridge do a good job.
 
On social media, Lord Tewksbury had made quite the impression. Several people on Twitter have been tweeting their appreciation for the progressive male character. “Oh to be able to go on a wild adventure with Lord Viscount Tewksbury, Duke of Basilwether literally a dream,” wrote a fan of the film. “You've grown to a be fine young lady, Eleven. Mike who?! I only know Lord Viscount Tewksbury, Marquess of Basilwether,” wrote another fan, referring to Brown’s character from the sci-fi series ‘Stranger Things’. “Lord Viscount Tewksbury, Duke of Basilwether, you have my heart,” said another fan.

But fans of Enola herself were not in short supply either. One fan wrote, “Enola Holmes is what I aspire to be as a woman. Bold. Intelligent. Shaper of the future. I really love movies that portray how strong a woman can be despite living in a society ruled by men.” Another said, “I love how Enola Holmes tackles about women empowerment, politics, and how our actions contribute a little change to the world. Does this movie drop a hint to everyone? I really think so.” Another fan said, “Just watched #EnolaHolmes it gets so many things right. We see feminism in many movies but not as PERFECT as this movie. The plot is good and I hope it shapes many young minds.”

But even if the two characters are well-loved, the romance has not gone down well with many. “My thoughts on the #EnolaHolmes movie: I don't like that it doesn't follow the plot of the wonderful books by @NancySpringer. Not enough ciphers, needless romance, too many action pieces. I do love the acting by Brown and Cavill, and the cinematography. I need a 7th book,” wrote a fan of the books, though, not quite a fan of the film. 

A fan of the film wrote, “Enola Holmes was so good but I'm disappointed also. I wish it was a movie about a young woman without such a romance??? But it was fine bc of the reversed roles and not like every movie?? trying to tell my thoughts without too much spoils is too hard.” Another Twitter user noted, “Enola Holmes opens with a whole bit that sets up Enola as defiant of traditional femininity and uninterested in romance and then pretty quickly just puts her in a bunch of dresses and sets her up with a nice boy…”

'Enola Holmes' is available to stream on Netflix.