Starring a spirited young heroine as a female Holmes, “Enola Holmes” is a breath of fresh air in the classical world of Sherlock Holmes. The film follows Enola’s struggles to evade the rules and restrictions of being a young woman in a patriarchal world that rejects non-conformists.
Directed by Harry Bradbeer (“Killing Eve,” “Fleabag”), this family-friendly mystery is an adaptation of the first of six books in the series written by Nancy Springer, leaving the potential for future film adaptations. The film originally was set to be released in theatres by Warner Bros. but with theatres closed due to COVID-19 regulations, Netflix bought the rights for release on Sept. 23.
“Enola Holmes” takes place in 19th century England and follows the adventures of Enola Holmes, the younger sister of Sherlock (Henry Cavill) and Mycroft (Sam Claflin) Holmes. Enola is played by Millie Bobby Brown, best known for her role as Eleven in Netflix's hit show “Stranger Things.” Enola’s mother, Eudora (Helen Bonham Carter), raised Enola after Enola’s father died and both her brothers moved away from home. Eudora took a unique approach to her daughter’s education, teaching jiu-jitsu, chemistry, and word puzzles.
When Edora disappears the morning of Enola’s 16th birthday, Sherlock and Mycroft return home to search for their mother. Enola evades their attempts to send her to an all-girls boarding school and instead runs away to London to solve clues Eudora had left behind.
On the train to London, Enola meets Viscount Tewkesbury Marquess of Basilwether, played by newcomer Louis Partridge, who is also fleeing from his family. The film follows Enola’s adventures as she pursues the mystery of her mother’s disappearance while avoiding her brothers and working to resolve Tewkesbury’s troubled family situation.
At just over two hours, the film is digestible yet satisfying. Fast-paced and engaging with family drama, hints of romance, disguises, fight sequences, and taking down the patriarchy, “Enola Holmes” has something for each viewer.
The answers to Enola and Tewkesbury’s mysteries are not blatantly obvious from the film’s beginning, nor are they jarringly surprising when revealed by the movie’s conclusion. Rather, the mysteries remain central to the plot without taking away from either of the characters’ journeys.
The costume design was accurate for the era and matched each character appropriately. Enola’s numerous costume changes reflected her many transitions as a character, from a doting daughter to a mischievous younger sister to an established lady in London. The set design explores Victorian England, from displaying the Holmes’ family manor, a boarding school, train stations, and the English countryside to London streets, tea rooms, shipping docks, and empty fields, there are consistent scenery changes to liven the audience’s viewing experience.
The star-studded cast’s performances met the expectations set by the film’s trailer, which was released two months before the film’s release. The on-screen chemistry among characters was both intimate and intricate. While Enola’s emotional shifts could be somewhat jarring, this can be chalked up to the ever-changing nature of a coming-of-age story.
Cavill departs from the emotionless portrayal typically associated with Sherlock Holmes. Instead, he played a warmer side of the cult-classic character, so much so that The Conan Doyle Estate argued an empathetic portrayal of Sherlock was intended only for the final Sherlock stories that are no longer in the public domain. As such, The Estate claimed copyright infringement and trademark violations. While legally disputable, Cavill’s performance was refreshing. Sherlock serves as the only male role model for young Enola; with the other characters, Sherlock is distinctively closed off and dismissive but with Enola, we see him soften and display more empathy.
As a whole, “Enola Holmes” is certainly a watch-worthy production. The script, while including an occasional cliché, is quippy and to the point. Light-hearted, fast-paced, and with modest run time, the film is a welcome addition to Netflix and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
2020
