Displaying items by tag: Louis Partridge

ENOLA HOLMES 3

UK, 2026, 105 minutes, Colour.

Millie Bobby Brown, Henry Cavill, Helena Bonham Carter, Billy Partridge, Himesh Patel, Sharon Duncan-Brewster, Hattie Morahan, Susan Wikoma, Joe Azzopardi.

Directed by Philip Barantini.

Enola Homes is the sister of Sherlock and Mycroft, the creation of Nancy Springer in a series of popular novels. This is the third of the books to be filmed. It presupposes most of the central characters and the cast return for this version. Millie Bobby Brown is lively and older. Henry Cavill returns as a sombre Sherlock. And, there is the creation of their mother character, a rebel, explosives, demonstrations, somewhat alienated from her family, Helena Bonham Carter enjoying the role.

The marriage is to take place in Malta, most of the action there, Malta and British occupation (and with some sequences railing against British colonialism) and some complications with the military and justice.

Enola (alone spelt backwards) the talks to camera and explains that the good film starts with a wedding – but, she hesitates, his pursued by Dr Watson with the news that Sherlock has been kidnapped. She is committed to finding her brother, using his methods to deduce what has happened to him.

She is in love with the Duke of Tewkesbury, played again by Louis Partridge. Then his mother is also abducted and there is intense deliberation to discover what has happened to Sherlock.

At the beginning, the audience has been introduced to a plot focusing on Tewkesbury, and Moriarty, now a female villain played by Sharon Duncan Brewster, pursues Sherlock and takes him.

Sherlock does leave a clue on the mirror, the name of the Afghan town,Khost. So, questions about Afghanistan, the role of Tewkesbury’s father, Afghan soldiers, payment, doubledealing, cover-ups…

Which all leads to various adventures, and Enola going into action, exposes, confrontation with Moriarty – and happy ending and the possibility for a fourth episode.

1. The popularity of the series? Sherlock Holmes sister? Comparisons with Sherlock? Her skill as a detective?
2. The British settings, the action taking place in Malta, the vistas of Malta, landscapes, the cities? The musical score?
3. Enola, her age, from the previous films, relationship with Sherlock, comparisons, her relationship with her mother, eccentricities? Seeing her at work as a detective, using Sherlock’s methods? Her commentary throughout the film, looking to camera?
4. The opening, a wedding, Tewksbury at the altar, the congregation, no bride, her decision-making, getting into the carriage, pursued, Dr Watson, the news of Sherlock’s abduction? Her becoming involved, leaving Tewksbury at the altar?
5. The character of Sherlock, his reputation, his letters, logical, not emotional, the interactions with Enola, with Dr Watson, Watson reminiscing about the relationship, the Team, his diaries? Knowing in advance, the past with Moriarty, at the dinner in Malta, seeing the soldiers, pursuing him, disappearance?
6. The prologue, England, Moriarty in jail, being freed, the name Tewksbury, her mission, the implication of the British officers in Malta?
7. Enola, her pursuit of the soldier, his being killed, the local police, the interrogation, the British officials intervening, her freedom? Her pursuit of the woman, the warning, the woman killed? Her looking for clues after Tewksbury’s mother was kidnapped, finding the medals? Using Sherlock’s methods, reflections?
8. The local revolutionary, following Enola, the confrontations and fight, his motivations, against the colonialism of the British, and seeing the colonialism in action?
9. Tewksbury, the past stories, relationship with Enola, the scenes of proposal, her acceptance, the bond between them, the swimming sequence? His mother’s abduction? Working with Enola? Dr Watson and his collaboration?

• The arrival of Eudoria, her personality, and dominance, with her daughter, the wedding, her reputation explosions, collaborating with the investigation, going to the headquarters, wanting the documents, the attack on the soldier, the search, finding information about Afghanistan, the gold, the stealing? Sherlock and his clues, writing the name Khost?
• Moriarty, the past with Sherlock, vengeance, her plan, the commission from the British, her setting up all the clues, luring Enola along the way, her vengeance and killing her agents the abduction of Tewksbury’s mother, the scenes in the cell, the water, interrogation, pouring out the water?
• Tewksbury, the explanation of the cave, Enola working out where the gold was, finding it?
• The buildup to the final confrontation, her putting the gun on Moriarty, Moriarty and the explosives, the local soldiers, then Moriarty’s squad, the shootout?
• The release of the mother, the expose of the officials, the gold the betrayal, the hiding, the discovery, the exposure of the British? Tewksbury and his disappointment with his father?
• Enola, whether she should become lady Tewksbury or not, the class issues, the jokes about class, Enola and the discussions with Tewksbury, his giving up his title?
• An enjoyable Holmes adventure, Sherlock, Enola, Moriarty? And the future?

JAY KELLY

US, 2025, 132 minutes, Colour.

George Clooney, Adam Sandler, Billy Crudup, Laura Dern, Patrick Wilson, Riley Keogh, Jim Broadbent, Stacey Keach, Josh Hamilton, Isla Fisher, Louis Partridge, Eve Hewson, Emily Mortimer, Greta Gerwig.

Directed by Noah Baumbach.

A Behind the Scenes story. Or, better, a Behind the Facades story.

Late in this portrait of a very successful film star, someone comments that he is a very good film star – but, as we have seen, there is an implication: is he a good father? Is he a good person?

George Clooney himself is a significant film star. Which means that many audiences will be wondering how his portrayal of Jay Kelly is close to the reality of George Clooney himself. Because Clooney has proven himself quite a genial screen presence over the decades, they will be comfortable enough in looking at Clooney playing a very self-focused, self-satisfied star, inadequate father, quite an unpleasant person in so many ways. (Some bloggers who don’t take to Clooney have considered this film a vanity project – but, it was written and directed by Noah Baumbach, not by Clooney himself.)

One of the successful ways in communicating how Jay Kelly ticks and how his being challenged is in the portrayal of his agent, adviser, friend, continual refuge, Ron. Over the years Adam Sandler has had extraordinary success in very broad comedies. But, now and again, he takes on a serious role. And this is one of his best. He is a wheeler dealer as an agent, very successful. But, he does have a personal life, past regrets, now happy marriage and children. He has sacrificed so much of his life for Jay Kelly and we, and he, wonder how long this can go on.

The film opens with the final sequence of the making of a film, showing Kelly in action, expertly, and all the hustle and bustle of production. Then the news of the death of an old friend who gave him a start, played by Jim Broadbent, but soon indications of a self-focus rather than generosity of spirit. Then he encounters an old friend from acting school. They go for a drink – and a wonderful scene with Billy Crudup dramatising an emotional reading of the menu! But again, unpleasant revelations about Jay Kelly and his career.

Kelly has two daughters – the younger on a trip in France to Italy and Kelly deciding that he will follow his daughter on the train and go to a tribute to himself in Tuscany. At the end of the film, there is a perceptive sequence, an emotional conversation between himself and his older daughter, Riley Keogh.

This is a rather long film and there is all kinds of interesting detail for those caught up in Kelly’s life and career and this challenge to him. Suddenly Stacey Keach turns up as his curmudgeon father, no paternal feelings whatsoever. Patrick Wilson appears as a film star who employs Ron and is firing him… Plenty of episodes to keep the interest.

A highlight with Jay Kelly on the train and his communicating enjoyably with the passengers is a snatch and grab of her purse from an old lady by a German cyclist, his getting off the train and Jay Kelly in pursuit – and, of course, instantly on the Internet. There are the hosts of the festival in Tuscany and their Italian enthusiasm.

Noah Baumbach has worked many years in the film industry. And he is married to Greta Gerwig (who appears briefly as Ron’s wife), working with her in her very successful movie venture, Barbie. Which means that he has a great deal to draw on in taking us behind the scenes, behind the facades.

1. The title, the entire focus on Jay Kelly, has film star, as actor, his real personality?
2. The choice of George Clooney for the role, George Clooney’s reputation, impact as film star, an Oscar, critical applause, his public persona? Audience response to George Clooney, favourable, accepting in this role, some reflection of his own life and career?
3. The film taking us behind the scenes, filmmaking and the opening sequence and his performing the death scene, with the dog, wanting more takes, the response of the director? The detail of the film on set, the various people present, cast, director, producer, writer, their interventions?
4. The film taking us behind the facade of Jay Kelly? The public response, star, fans, people approaching him, on the train and his entertaining the passengers, the tribute in Tuscany, his visit, the hosts, the celebration?
5. His dependence on Ron, Adam Sandler’s performance? Ron, the manager, the agent, promoter, his skills, being busy, his clientele, the time given to Jay Kelly? And the percentage fee? Friendship and support? How deep the friendship? On the part of each?
6. Ron, the plan for the next film, the Lewis brothers, Ron and his hopes, Liz as longtime publicist, her assistant, interventions?
7. The background of Peter, his death, Jay’s memories, Tim and the audition, Peter giving him the chance, promoting him, financial difficulties, asking his help, the meal together, Jay’s refusal, not seeing Peter? The impact of his death? Going to the funeral? His son’s speech?
8. The meeting with Tim, not seeing each other for years, Tim and his work with children, meeting Jay, the cup of coffee, Jay deciding to go, their talk, the memories, the audition? Jay asking Tim to read the menu, the tour-de-force rendition of the menu by Tim, his talent? Tim declaring his hatred, the fight? Jay and his black eye? Tim and his injuries, hospital, the possibilities for suing?
9. The visualising of the audition episode, the friendship, Jay reading for Tim, Tim’s poor audition, Jay asking to read, Peter’s agreement, his getting the part, his career?
10. Jay and his marriages, his daughters, Jessica and her living in San Diego, distance from her father? Daisy, meeting with her, her boyfriend, going to Paris, the jazz festival, not wanting to spend time with her father?
11. Jay, the aftermath of the interlude with Tim, consulting with Ron, Ron, his wife and family, playing tennis, the importance, the match, the phone call, Jay and his demands on Ron, Ron going?
12. The issue of the tribute in Tuscany, the initial refusal, change of mind, Ron and the deals, his other client getting a tribute? Getting on the train, the difficulties, the hassles? Jay being recognised, the reactions, the range of passengers, the old lady being charmed, the two priests and their continual reappearing? The episode with the German cyclist, snatching the bag, jumping off the train, Jay’s pursuit, the hard run, the fight, Jay retrieving the bag? The passengers or following, a claim, and on social media?
13. And the contrast with social media, Tim and his injuries, Jay and violence? Possibilities for suing? Ron, contacts, friends, interventions, settling the case?
14. Liz, on the train, memories of the past with Ron, the separation, Liz and exasperation, getting off the train?
15. Daisy on the train, the encounter with Jay, his tracking her through phones, her boyfriend and his reaction, making films? The other friends? Her not wanting to go to the tribute?
16. Italy, the hosts, the Festival, the cheery driver and her response to Jay? Ben Alcock present, his career, his family present, the large family? His having a drink with Ron, talking about his career, firing Ron? The repercussions for Ron?
17. Jay’s relationship with his father, neglect, inviting his father to the tribute, his arrival, taking over, his personality, jokes and talk, his turn, and his decision not to stay, Jay following him…?
18. Jay, the dinner, the hosts? Ron and his phone calls to his wife? Sitting with Jay, the retrospective (and the use of George Clooney’s films)? The effect on Jay? Ron? The audience and applause?
19. The effect of the awards, then, the family, his wife?
20. Jake, running after the car, Ron and his leaving? Persuading him to come back?
21. Jay, in the woods, the phone call to his daughter, the device of having her present, the conversation, truth being told, his absence in her life, the flashbacks to the two daughters playing, the glimpses of him watching his children? The reality of his career and neglect?
22. Jay Kelly’s journey into self-knowledge, the glamour of his career and fame, the realities of his personality, family life and relationships, relationship with Ron? The future?