Jack Thorne's script for Enola Homes presents a surprisingly fresh take on a Sherlock Holmes story, from the viewpoint of his significantly younger (and seemingly more brilliant-minded) sister. It’s as much a character piece as a feminist manifest, set at a time when certain expectations dictated what young women were excepted to do and say. In that sense, Enola Holmes is a powerful social and political commentary, without being overly in your face. Thorne constructs a fun, fast-paced adventure, and allows his protagonist to shine with her wits and courage, while still utilizing the Holmes brothers as important supporting characters. Somewhere under that quirky writing and historical feminist piece, there is also an intricately plotted mystery, presented excitingly and providing some of the finest sequences of the entire film. The script confidently stands on its own two legs, while drawing inspiration from Arthur Conan Doyle's source material. Those expecting a fully-fledged Sherlock Homes film will be disappointed. Then again, that is not the point of this movie at all. As a Sherlock Holmes mystery film, Enola Holmes isn't very good, but as a fascinatingly written character piece with important messages for contemporary (female) audiences, it's fine.
Enola Holmes expertly keeps up the historical setting with fines set design and cinematography. It's not a crime thriller or action film, but more of a fast-paced character drama with frequent spurs of lighthearted excitement, humour and sweet character moments.
What's great about Enola is that she isn't simply a female version of Sherlock, but a distinct character, with many similar characteristics and a very different emotional spectrum. Millie Bobbie Brown once again proves she is among the most promising up and coming actresses right now, because she is phenomenal. Surrounded by established co-actors, some of them among Britain's finest, Brown surpasses them almost entirely in most scenes she shares with them. It's also great how the film doesn’t weave a love story between Enola and Tewkesbury. Despite numerous versions of Sherlock and his brother in all forms of media, Enola Holmes manages to give the two famous Holmes brothers another new spin. Henry Cavill and Sam Claflin slip surprisingly well into their literary characters, not trying to mimic what other actors have done. That being said, I am so used to seeing Benedict Cumberbatch's sociopathic Sherlock and Robert Downey Jr's action hero version, that this Basil Rathbone-esque version of Sherlock seems almost too normal. Claflin's Mycroft, meanwhile, is something of an unlikable villain here, helping distinguish him from, say, Stephen Fry's quirky version in the Guy Ritchie films. This film is an ensemble piece and the circle is complete with Helena Bonham Carter, Fiona Shaw and Burn Gorman in fine supporting roles, as well as Adeel Akhtar in a refreshing take on Lestrade.
The editing and cinematography techniques are noteworthy; the jumpy editing and the documentary-style narration, which is lovely. I love the beautiful set and costume design and a beautiful soundtrack. The direction is what sets this film apart from many other takes on a Sherlock story. Still, some shticks in Bradbeer’s direction are inspired by some of the recent takes on the character.
The quirky and inventive techniques used to carry the story forward, Millie Bobbie Brown in a believable brilliant young woman of her time and a central mystery with many twists and turns keep this film going and help it stand out from the oversaturated field of Sherlock Holmes adaptations. That being said, the somewhat uneven pacing and lengthy moments lacking real plot progression, make the film feel longer than necessary.
We have seen multiple adaptations of Arthur Conan Doyle's classic literary creations but somehow Thorne and Bradbeer have managed to score a point by giving us yet another one that feels fresh and inventive. While Enola Holmes is less about the Holmes and more about the young, independent lady that Enola turns out to become, it takes enough element from Doyle’s' stories to feel like a Sherlock Holmes film.
The parties involved with the creation of this movie are intent on making a sequel (based on how the film ends) and based on the performances alone, I would watch one. This is a refreshing take on Sherlock Holmes, while still clearly being something completely different as well. One of the best Netflix original films in a long time.
Review by Theo KallströmVIP 6BlockedParentSpoilers2020-10-02T10:22:32Z
THE WACPINE OF ‘ENOLA HOLMES’
WRITING: 8
ATMOSPHERE: 7
CHARACTERS: 8
PRODUCTION: 9
INTRIGUE: 8
NOVELTY: 7
ENJOYMENT: 8
Jack Thorne's script for Enola Homes presents a surprisingly fresh take on a Sherlock Holmes story, from the viewpoint of his significantly younger (and seemingly more brilliant-minded) sister. It’s as much a character piece as a feminist manifest, set at a time when certain expectations dictated what young women were excepted to do and say. In that sense, Enola Holmes is a powerful social and political commentary, without being overly in your face.
Thorne constructs a fun, fast-paced adventure, and allows his protagonist to shine with her wits and courage, while still utilizing the Holmes brothers as important supporting characters. Somewhere under that quirky writing and historical feminist piece, there is also an intricately plotted mystery, presented excitingly and providing some of the finest sequences of the entire film.
The script confidently stands on its own two legs, while drawing inspiration from Arthur Conan Doyle's source material. Those expecting a fully-fledged Sherlock Homes film will be disappointed. Then again, that is not the point of this movie at all. As a Sherlock Holmes mystery film, Enola Holmes isn't very good, but as a fascinatingly written character piece with important messages for contemporary (female) audiences, it's fine.
Enola Holmes expertly keeps up the historical setting with fines set design and cinematography. It's not a crime thriller or action film, but more of a fast-paced character drama with frequent spurs of lighthearted excitement, humour and sweet character moments.
What's great about Enola is that she isn't simply a female version of Sherlock, but a distinct character, with many similar characteristics and a very different emotional spectrum. Millie Bobbie Brown once again proves she is among the most promising up and coming actresses right now, because she is phenomenal. Surrounded by established co-actors, some of them among Britain's finest, Brown surpasses them almost entirely in most scenes she shares with them. It's also great how the film doesn’t weave a love story between Enola and Tewkesbury.
Despite numerous versions of Sherlock and his brother in all forms of media, Enola Holmes manages to give the two famous Holmes brothers another new spin. Henry Cavill and Sam Claflin slip surprisingly well into their literary characters, not trying to mimic what other actors have done. That being said, I am so used to seeing Benedict Cumberbatch's sociopathic Sherlock and Robert Downey Jr's action hero version, that this Basil Rathbone-esque version of Sherlock seems almost too normal. Claflin's Mycroft, meanwhile, is something of an unlikable villain here, helping distinguish him from, say, Stephen Fry's quirky version in the Guy Ritchie films.
This film is an ensemble piece and the circle is complete with Helena Bonham Carter, Fiona Shaw and Burn Gorman in fine supporting roles, as well as Adeel Akhtar in a refreshing take on Lestrade.
The editing and cinematography techniques are noteworthy; the jumpy editing and the documentary-style narration, which is lovely. I love the beautiful set and costume design and a beautiful soundtrack. The direction is what sets this film apart from many other takes on a Sherlock story. Still, some shticks in Bradbeer’s direction are inspired by some of the recent takes on the character.
The quirky and inventive techniques used to carry the story forward, Millie Bobbie Brown in a believable brilliant young woman of her time and a central mystery with many twists and turns keep this film going and help it stand out from the oversaturated field of Sherlock Holmes adaptations. That being said, the somewhat uneven pacing and lengthy moments lacking real plot progression, make the film feel longer than necessary.
We have seen multiple adaptations of Arthur Conan Doyle's classic literary creations but somehow Thorne and Bradbeer have managed to score a point by giving us yet another one that feels fresh and inventive. While Enola Holmes is less about the Holmes and more about the young, independent lady that Enola turns out to become, it takes enough element from Doyle’s' stories to feel like a Sherlock Holmes film.
The parties involved with the creation of this movie are intent on making a sequel (based on how the film ends) and based on the performances alone, I would watch one. This is a refreshing take on Sherlock Holmes, while still clearly being something completely different as well. One of the best Netflix original films in a long time.
WACPINE RATING: 7.86 / 10 = 4 stars