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COVID-19 Special: 'Enola Holmes' (12)




Director: Harry Bradbeer

Cast: Millie Bobby Brown, Henry Cavill, Sam Claflin, Helena Bonham Carter

Where can I watch?: Enola Holmes is streaming on Netflix

Rating: 3.5/5

Review: In the last ten years alone, we've had a fair few renditions of the Sherlock Holmes story: the Guy Ritchie/Downey Jr excursion; the truly horrendous Holmes & Watson (I just watched the trailer and decided it was trash); and the star-making BBC series (we NEVER talk about that last series, OK? Shudder). Into the mix, we now add this very 20th Century edition, which focuses on the Holmes' little sister, Enola - and I'm glad to report it's far better than the Moffat/Gatiss attempt (OK, I won't mention it again). Then again, it's probably wrong to compare Enola Holmes to those series, as it feels more similar in tone to the Ritchie/Downey outing, with action and adventure prevailing over any real clue-solving. Enter our heroine, Enola (Millie Bobby Brown). Addressing the camera a la Fleabag, we immediately know that this is a very feminist retelling of the usual male-centric Holmes tales: Enola has been brought up by a single mother (Helena Bonham Carter) to shun the conventional feminine ideals and fend for herself, both mentally and physically (cue fisticuff sequences galore). Indeed the whole premise centres around female liberation - a Bill is due to be debated in the Commons regarding extending the vote, and it's heavily suggested that Bonham Carter's character is involved in an early incarnation of the Suffragettes. Indeed, Sherlock (Henry Cavill, too dashing to be the super sleuth) and Mycroft (Sam Claflin, chewing the scenery deliciously at every opportunity) barely get a look in, as Enola races from scene to scene, encountering a broad array of different female characters along the way (Fiona Shaw, what a queen!). It's true that the script is a little clunky in places, especially regarding the pre-pubescent love story between Enola and her pretty boy, but it's also quite fun, with a good amount of cheekiness and swashbuckling action thrown in too. 

A COVID-19 Must-Watch?: It'd be wrong to describe Enola Holmes as a 'mystery movie' - it's certainly more of a fast-paced, fantastical romp than your typical Sherlock sleuth. Still, for all the muddled plot points and rather hammy writing, it's actually quite an enjoyable little film with just the right amount of warm sentimentality and silliness for a chilly evening. 
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