Emmy: A dusty, charming trip back in time

Is it worth the watch?

Look, if you have a soft spot for pre-war European films, you’ll probably find something to love here. It’s got that specific, slightly stuffy, but earnest charm that movies like The Devious Path pull off with way more flair. If you need explosions or a plot that moves faster than a brisk walk, skip it. You will absolutely hate this if you get bored by people sitting in parlors talking about feelings for ten minutes straight.

I found myself zoning out during the first act. The introduction of the characters is just… a lot of standing around. There’s a scene where Emmy is just adjusting her gloves for what felt like an eternity. It didn't add anything to the story, but it was oddly hypnotic. I kept waiting for her to do something, but she just stood there looking worried.

The Rhythm of it all

The pacing is honestly all over the place. One moment we’re flying through a misunderstanding that should have taken an hour to resolve, and the next, we’re stuck in a carriage scene that goes on until your legs fall asleep. It reminds me a bit of the disjointed feel in That Royle Girl, where the director clearly prioritized a specific mood over narrative efficiency. 🎞️

There is this one bit where a side character walks into the room, says exactly one line, and then just… disappears for the rest of the movie. No payoff. No reason for them to be there. I actually rewound it to see if I missed a sub-plot. Nope. Just a random person entering a room to look confused.

• The lighting is surprisingly moody for a film of this vintage.
• Gyula Kabos is, as always, doing heavy lifting with just his eyebrows.
• The ending feels like they ran out of film and just decided to call it a day.

It’s not as polished as Zoya, but it’s got a personality that’s hard to dislike. It’s like finding a dusty box of old photos in an attic. You don’t know who half these people are, but you still feel like you’re looking at something you weren't supposed to see. 🧐

I didn't hate the silence, either. There are long stretches where the music just drops out completely. You can hear the projector noise in your head even if you're streaming it. It’s raw, imperfect, and entirely human. Maybe that’s the point? Or maybe they just forgot to dub the audio. Who knows.

Don’t go into this expecting a masterpiece. It’s just a movie. Some parts are boring, some are sweet, and a lot of it is just people being silly in old-fashioned clothes. Take it for what it is.