What’s it about?
George Hardy is a shepherd who loves to read murder mysteries to his sheep, never suspecting that they can understand him. When George is found dead under mysterious circumstances, the sheep decide to solve the crime themselves, even if it means leaving their meadow for the first time and facing the fact that the human world isn’t as simple as it appears in books.
What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: Despite first appearances this is not really a kids movie. Sure most children will enjoy it but it is recommended that they be at least eight and you be prepared to have conversations about death and grief. Why? Well, this is a whodunit that doesn’t shy away from killing characters.
This surprisingly adult tone translates into a high quality murder-mystery that is simultaneously heart-warming and tear-inducing. Yes, the sheep talk to each other but they quickly become characters just as real as the suspects.
The star-studded cast features Hugh Jackman, Emma Thompson, Chris O’Dowd, Bryan Cranston, Patrick Stewart and Brett Goldstein just name a few. But it’s the genuine charm and honesty that will truly transport you into a world where innocent hearts peer into the darkest recesses of humanity.
This unexpectedly emotional film is delightfully quirky but would be a genuine whodunit in its own right even without the talking sheep, but it’s the wooly investigators and their contrasts that allow Sheep Detectives to soar.
Despite not pulling punches for the younger audience, Sheep Detectives is charming and sincere and we need more films with this level of emotional intelligence. I experienced the gamut of emotions from teary to triumph and I loved nearly every second of it.
