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Sherlock’s sister doing it for herself
Brilliant Brown gets on the case
Enola Holmes Netflix ●●●● ● Who knew Sherlock Holmes had a teenage sister?
Well, thanks to the work of author Nancy Springer, we get acquainted with the sleuth-in-the-making in this Netflix adaptation.
Millie Bobby Brown plays the titular heroine as she tries to find her missing mother (Helena Bonham Carter) while evading the differing intentions of her brothers Sherlock (Henry Cavill) and Mycroft (Sam Claflin).
You won’t be surprised to hear director Harry Bradbeer – making his full- feature debut – has helmed many episodes of TV show Fleabag as there’s a feisty, quirky, modern feel to proceedings with a lead character breaking the fourth wall with direct-tothe-audience dialogue.
Brit Bradbeer delivers a sumptuous looking film with the gorgeous greenery of the English countryside butting heads with a beige, bustling London as his camera swoops and tracks over wide shots and realistic sets and locations.
Writer Jack Thorne (Skins) frames Enola as a cheeky, independent heroine battling class and gender expectations wonderfully played by Brown, who also puts the physical skills she honed in Stranger Things to great use.
Cavill is a serviceable Sherlock but feels almost insignificant – and that’s kind of the point; this is Enola’s time to shine.
Claflin’s Mycroft is pompous with the stiffest of upper lips and actually evokes more anger and boo-hiss moments than the movie’s actual antagonists.
Beginning with a meet- cute that quickly descends into a life-threatening train-set escapade, there’s a sweet, playful romance between Enola and Louis Partridge’s Tewkesbury which thankfully isn’t shoved down our throats.
At just over two hours the film is a bit too long – the mid-section meanders – and would have benefited from a tighter edit.
But it’s hard to be too critical, especially when the infectiously affable Brown is on screen.
It’s easy to detect that I’d love to see more of Springer’s daring literary creation.
● Let me know what you think of Enola Holmes and whether she gives Sherlock a run for his money.
Pop me an email at ian.bunting@ reachplc.com and I will pass on your comments – and any movie or TV show recommendations you have – to your fellow readers.