Millie Bobby Brown plays the determined sister with the right mix of feistiness and oodles of charm. Director Harry Bradbeer is successful in setting up an origin story with themes of feminism
Recently I have seen a film called Enola Holmes streaming on Netflix it is the first one in the series of movies focusing on a fictional sister to an already fictional detective. The movie is based on the book The Enola Holmes Mysteries: The case of missing Marquess by Nancy Springer. Millie Bobby Brown plays the central character. Like her brother Sherlock (Henry Cavil) she is extremely intelligent. The mother Eudoria (Helena Bonham Carter) gives her daughter a rather unusual upbringing given the times the film is set in. Through the movie Enola turns out to be an equal firebrand to her already feisty mother. Enola knows many things like deciphering messages that have been written in a secret code along with a Japanese marital art called Jujustu among others. The broad storyline of Enola Holmes 1 is about a young woman becoming a detective to find her missing mother, in the process of finding mother she comes other mysteries too.
The best part of Enola Holmes part 1 is the characterization of the central character coupled with Millie Bobby Brown’s charismatic performance. Throughout the movie she gives a running commentary on what Enola is going through. This could have been irritating in the hands of a mediocre actor, but the dialogues coupled with Millie Bobby Brown’s charm keeps the viewers engaged.
The various disguises of Enola are also charming to watch, often times she dresses up in men’s clothes. This feels like a running gag but at the same time there is a deeper symbolism too. For Enola dressing up in a man’s dress gives her a greater sense of freedom. It allows her to do what she wants without being discovered. How Enola navigates the 19th century patriarchy influenced by her mother is wonderful to watch.
The movie also benefits immensely from the recreation of Victorian England. The CGI coupled with the costume department is absolutely spot on. There is a historical context to the events happening in Enola Holmes. Like a decisive vote over a reform bill.
The different equations of Enola with the brothers also gives the movie some of its best moments. For example, Cavil’s Sherlock is seen mostly cold, but every time Enola outsmarts him there is also a palpable happiness. Apart from Millie Bobby Brown Helena Bonham Carter is also a treat to watch as the revolutionary mother Eudoria.
