Michael (Himesh Patel) is a home tutor, and his current client, Archibald (Tom Sweet) is a handful. Michael struggles with depression, and he’s trying to find a way out of his daily funk. As he continues to tutor this difficult student, his challenges only grow more fierce, but an answer may just be around the corner. When all is said and done, it’s important that Michael understands one thing, Enjoy life.
There’s an overarching tone of despair and struggle present throughout Enjoy, and it creates a sense of uncomfortability in viewers. From Patel’s performance to the somber tones, Enjoy constantly reminds viewers of the struggles that Michael faces, and of the hardships present in the world around him. Viewers are instantly immersed in Michael’s world, and they fully understand all that is occurring in his life, even when it’s not always said outright. The fact that Writer Callum Cameron and Director Saul Abraham are able to create this is astounding–as they never give away too much information, but they develop a film that constantly expresses the realities of what’s occurring. Again, viewers are in the know early on, and they remain in that position throughout, constantly allowing them new ways to appreciate Enjoy.
Patel has been credited in massively successful films such as Don’t Look Up, Tenet, and Yesterday–and yet, he finds himself part of this straight-to-streaming (even if that streaming service is Disney+) short film. That speaks volumes to the confidence that he had in Enjoy. Beyond understanding that Patel must have had faith in this film; it also speaks to the level of prowess present in this film. Patel knows how to command the room, he knows how to allow his emotions to rise to the surface, never overflowing, but rather remaining perfectly effective throughout. His ability to convey emotion in this way, to draw constant attention (but still provide others the ability to shine brightly), reels in viewers, and Enjoy thrives as a result of what he’s able to accomplish throughout.
Much like Patel, Sweet is a masterful young actor. He understands his role in Enjoy, and he constantly puts his best foot forward–working not only to make Patel better, but also playing such an important role in helping to develop the film as a whole. Michael and Archibald play unique roles throughout Enjoy, where Michael is often the submissive and Archibald the aggressor. Sweet is bold in his performance, able to constantly rattle viewers and the foundation on which Enjoy sits. Sweet, quite differently from Patel, allows his emotions to boil over, to be thrown at viewers wildly–and that works perfectly for the film.
Michael swims often throughout the course of Enjoy, and while that may seem like a trivial activity in the grand scheme of his life, it plays such a pivotal role in the film. Each and every way that water has managed to be symbolic in history, it does just the same in Enjoy. It takes the form of wisdom, power, and grace–but it shifts into something almost biblical. Much like water was used as a weapon to fight off evil in the Bible, it works as a tool that Michael uses to find solace. This beautiful symbolism is enticing, and it ultimately works as a guide for the entire film.
Enjoy takes such a simple idea, such a common concept in depression, and turns it into something beautiful. Much of the world understands the concept, as much of the world deals with it on a regular basis–but filmmakers aren’t always able to present the topic so elegantly, in a way that doesn’t ruffle so many feathers, but rather expresses how to deal with and overcome it. Enjoy is wonderfully constructed, it’s honest in its representation of struggle and depression, and it reminds viewers that even in the pain, there is beauty.
Directed by Saul Abraham.
Written by Callum Cameron.
Starring Himesh Patel, Tom Sweet, Maddy Hill, Laura Stewart, Jonathan Aris, etc.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/10
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