[Review] Enola Holmes(2020) {7/10}

Directed by Harry Bradbeer from a screenplay by Jack Thorne, the film stars Millie Bobby Brown (Enola Holmes), Henry Cavill (Sherlock Holmes), Sam Claflin (Mycroft Holmes) and Helena Bonham Carter (Eudoria Holmes). It is based on the first book in the young adult fiction series of the same name by Nancy Springer.

The plot follows Enola Holmes (Millie Bobby Brown), the teenage sister of the already-famous Sherlock Holmes (Henry Cavill ), who travels to London to find her missing mother but ends up on a thrilling adventure, pairing up with a runaway lord as they attempt to solve a mystery that threatens the entire country.

Right out of the gate, director Harry Bradbeer wastes little time in setting the tone and pace of this adaptation by Nancy Springer. Enola is characterized as a fourth-wall-breaking, quick-witted and feisty young girl with just the right amount of quirk, played with infectious charm by Millie Bobby Brown. The young actress has the task of playing the lesser-known sister of, arguably, the most beloved private detective in literature. But Millie Bobby Brown proves she’s more than equipped. Throughout the film, her performance ensures Enola makes her mark beyond the shadow of her famous siblings. As the mystery shapes up, the older brothers employ contrasting strategies in their pursuit, reflecting their personalities. Sam Claflin gives Mycroft a grouchy and ill-tempered twist, while Henry Cavill spins his version of the enigmatic Sherlock. Helena Bonham Carter as Enola’s forward-thinking feminist mother Eudoria and Louis Partridge as the young lord who may steal Enola’s heart, each are all great in their respective roles, but are merely there to flesh out this world or to provide context. This film narrowly focuses on Enola and her journey. The movie moves at a brisk pace but is never too quick to pass by a number of great character defining moments, which showcase Enola’s great qualities as a protagonist, and Bobby Brown’s talents as an actress. It is an overall effective period drama and missing persons mystery with the clues and conclusions never too difficult to understand or predict. In addition, it is also a compelling coming-of-age story about a young woman fighting against the limitations of an overtly conservative pre-voting reform England. The script is packed with wholesome content about family, finding your place in the world, fighting for what is right and your independence, and it is all written with a good amount of humour too. Enola Holmes is a very well-made, well-paced and beautifully crafted family feature that has something for everyone to enjoy and does more than enough to stand as a standalone adaptation.

Enola Holmes is now available on Netflix.