ENOLA HOLMES [Netflix]

My review of The Case of the Missing Marquess by Nancy Springer can be read here. This Netflix movie version follows the book fairly closely. In a movie like Enola Holmes the actress playing the role generally spells success or failure. In this case, Millie Bobby Brown makes Enola Holmes a success (at least in my eyes). Yes, there are flaws. Henry Cavill as Sherlock Holmes is both stuffy and passive. Perhaps Director Harry Bradbeer wanted to suggest that Enola is smarter than her older brother. Sam Claflin as Mycroft Holmes presents an arrogant, priggish character.

On the plus side, Helena Bonham Carter as Eudoria Holmes is first-rate as an unconventional mother of three unique children. Louis Partridge as Viscount Tewkesbury, Marquess of Basilwether, generates some on-screen chemistry with Enola.

If you’re in the mood for a entertaining Holmes pastiche, you might give Enola Holmes a try. I’m hoping Netflix orders a few more of these movies. GRADE: B+

12 thoughts on “ENOLA HOLMES [Netflix]

  1. maggie mason

    I on one of my off cycles on netflix (too long a wait for new movies, and so I do 3 months on/off) I’ll try it when I go back on.

    I’m guessing I’ll agree with you

    Reply
    1. george Post author

      Maggie, Netflix seems to go through periods when they release a lot of content and then there’s a fallow period. Today’s Wall Street JOURNAL just reviews a new series on the CW network called DEVILS which has thriller aspects of international finance. I’m going to DVR it tomorrow.

      Reply
      1. maggie mason

        Since I’m on discs, it takes a lot longer. I was waiting for a recent, not new, release for over 3 months and hadn’t gotten it when I stopped them

      2. george Post author

        Maggie, I sometimes borrow DVDs and Blu-rays from my local Public Library. The wait times are usually less than a week.

  2. Patti Abbott

    I loved MBB and the style of it. And the sets, costumes, etc. As I am not a Holmes purist or even much of a Holmes reader, it worked just fine for me.

    Reply
  3. Michael Padgett

    With the baseball playoffs in progress plus pro and college football, this is always a tough time of year to find time for the streaming stuff, especially since you know it’ll still be there when you’re ready. I will make an exception for Mike Flanagan’s “The Haunting of Bly Manor” starting Friday, based on “The Turn of the Screw. “Enola” isn’t my cup of tea but I’ll watch it for Millie Bobby Brown.

    Reply
    1. george Post author

      Michael, I’m interested in watching THE HAUNTING OF BLY MANOR, too. “The Turn of the Screw” is one of my favorite Henry James stories!

      Reply
  4. Jeff Meyerson

    I thought she was very good, but I didn’t like the way the Holmes brothers were portrayed. Let’s hope they drop Mycroft in the next one.

    Reply
    1. george Post author

      Jeff, I’m with you on the Holmes brothers. Dull and annoying. They don’t play big parts in the Nancy Springer books so maybe that will carry over to future Enola Holmes movies.

      Reply

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