On the film’s interpretation of Sherlock Holmes
This film’s Sherlock Holmes is different from how other films or TV shows have depicted the detective from Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories. This isn’t the cold and calculating Sherlock, and Cavill states that the emotions of his character is an important part of the story.
He worked closely with director Harry Bradbeer to shape a Sherlock that is still true to the character, but fits nicely in screenwriter Jack Thorne’s script.
“They (Sherlock and Enola) have so many similarities,” says Cavill. “They were probably raised in a very similar way but Sherlock was forced down the path of society and yet he remains eccentric, hence, the very interesting man that he is. And he knows that Enola doesn’t have those same opportunities– that if she’s forced down the traditional path, she won’t be the incredible woman that she is. And so, that has to connect with Sherlock’s emotional [side].”
“I know it’s a different take on the character. It’s a character which is far more [emotionally connected] than we’ve seen traditionally. But for the audiences, I really hope that I have done [him] justice.” he added.
The inspiring message within the film
The film isn’t just about the fun and thrills of a mystery adventure, it also sends across a message for equality. Enola embodies people who are held back by a society that wrongfully dictates their worth. But she isn’t one to let society dictate her fate– she’s a force for change.
“I think the important thing that an audience takes away from this are the messages of being who you want to be, no matter what society says; and allowing the evolution of society.” Cavill explains.
Asked on where Sherlock and Enola would probably fit in this modern world, and what they would be fighting for, Henry Cavill says it might not be that too different.
“I think equality is something which we are all still striving for. It’s something which needs to be normalized absolutely. So it would probably be very much along the same lines. And I think Sherlock would certainly be more aware– we see him gain an awareness throughout the story of Enola– and Enola has that awareness naturally because she was on the other side of it. And so, I think together they’d be a strong force for normalizing equality.”
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Enola Holmes is now streaming on Netflix. Watch it here.
