Enola Holmes 3 review

 

At the beginning of this third instalment of the adventures of Sherlock Holmes’ smart sister, Enola is late, a nod perhaps to the tardy arrival of the film. It’s more than three and a half years since the second in the series so you’d be forgiven for forgetting what happened. Luckily anything you need to know is folded into this brisk, energetic package mostly set in Malta rather than England. The location adds a new character to the tale which may not be as knotty as the cases dealt with by Enola’s older brother but is exciting and involving enough.

 Spoilers after the break

 

We pick up with Enola’s wedding to Tewksbury (she always uses his surname) which, for reasons that will become clear later, is happening on the Sun dappled nation of Malta. Only everyone is at the church on time except for our bride. She tells us- and she does address the viewer directly frequently breaking the fourth wall- she is having doubts. Not about the man, but the family and privilege she is marrying into.. When she finally decides to go ahead, she is very late and while being driven through the dusty landscape encounters Doctor Watson with the news that her brother has been kidnapped. Soon, her prospective mother-in-law has also vanished and the Tewksbury home on the island set on fire. There are clues- a symbol, a morse code message on a mirror, the word “wrath” - enough to lead Enola, Tewksbury and Watson down rabbit holes.

The plot isn’t as detailed as in the previous instalments and once someone mentions `gold` you will know exactly where it can be found. Yet the narrative – by no less than award winning Jack Thorne- does have something to say about colonialism. Some may find this somewhat heavy handed given the current political situation around so called `woke` issues but its based on fact. It’s a reminder that the British Empire was built on conquest and theft. Inevitably it means the film is not quite as youthfully buoyant as the previous two but the characters’ getting older is acknowledged on screen. The scenario also adds heft to the antagonist’s side of things which is needed when matters turn out to be one of those infuriatingly convoluted villain’s schemes where you wonder why they go about things in such a long winded way.

Other reviews have refrained from mentioning any details but I have to say that Sharon Duncan Brewster is back as Moriarty and gives a dramatic, fiery performance that adds some ballast to matters. Her scenes are the most riveting in the production bringing other characters’ often breezy banter down to earth. Millie Bobby Brown has been able to successfully break away from her best known role as Seven in Stranger Things with this part which suits her playful side and provides a female hero of substance. Enola uses intelligence and guile to solve both mental and physical problems yet she is not without flaws. There are times when Enola still seems like a teenager and if there’s a fourth film it would be rewarding both for the actor and the viewer for the character to mature a bit more.

As Tewksbury, Louis Partidge makes the best of a sidekick role with signs the character is adapting to a different more adventuresome life while Himesh Patel makes for an interesting Watson, drawing on previous incumbents and managing to seem much older than the actor really is. Plus, it’s good to see Helena Bonham Carter back as Enola and Sherlock’s eccentric fugitive mother. Joe Azzopadi amuses as an overly dedicated revolutionary. Henry Cavill, Jason Watkins and Hattie Monahan are all on hand to make significant contributions to a characterful drama.

Director Philip Barantini makes the most of Malta’s landscape with some evocative aerial shots and dynamic action sequences. Some scenes take place in the busy streets adding to the local flavour. The action does have a modern feel with Enola even managing a couple of those sweeping leg kicks often seen in martial arts movies. There are times- notably near the end and during the fire- when budgetary limitations become obvious but the story has what it needs to work. It does sometimes resemble a kids tv drama from the 80s or 90s which is not necessarily a problem as that was a time of several excellent shows. Those expecting an epic Netflix show may though be slightly disappointed.  

Despite some modern touches the film does evoke movies of old. It more of an adventure than a mystery and though it lacks a stand out scene is an enjoyable enough way to pass a couple of hours.