The Sheep Detectives Movie Review : An entertaining whodunnit with bags full of charm

Story: A solitary shepherd, George Hardy (Hugh Jackman), reads crime novels to his flock of sheep every evening. Unbeknownst to him, they understand everything, and when he dies mysteriously, they attempt to solve the crime and leave their meadow for the first time in their lives.

Review: The mystery-comedy, based on Leonie Swann’s novel Three Bags Full, is the perfect live-action animated movie, quirky, charming, and touching. The film opens with George writing a letter to a special woman, describing his farm life and his beloved sheep, giving the viewer a glimpse of how deeply he loves them. This quaint world collapses when he is found dead, and there are several suspects, including his long-lost daughter Rebecca Hampstead (Molly Gordon), fellow shepherd Caleb (Tosin Cole), and a local butcher Ham Gilyard (Conleth Hill), innkeeper Beth Pennock (Hong Chau), Reverend Hillcoate (Kobna Holdbrook-Smith), and reporter Elliot Matthews (Nicholas Galitzine).

The ‘smartest sheep in the world’, Lily (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), who can always crack every mystery in the crime stories, and the wise Mopple (Chris O’Dowd) set out to unravel the truth and help the bumbling policeman Tim Derry (Nicholas Braun).

Director Kyle Balda gives the film a Knives Out meets Babe vibe, with writer Craig Mazin ensuring the comedy doesn't overpower the mystery. The editing team of Paul Machliss, Martin Walsh, and Al LeVine shows its prowess with sharp cuts between scenes. Another strong point is the storytelling. The screenplay makes references and then keeps the answers ready for later. The story has many surprises and twists that land perfectly without feeling far-fetched.

While a mystery and a comedy at its core, the narrative also deftly handles heavier themes such as mortality, processing grief, stepping out of one’s comfort zone, and acceptance. The sheep can erase painful memories at the count of three, except for Mopple, to deal with grief. The youngest unnamed lamb (Tommy Birchall) is a pariah in the sheep world for being a winter sheep. Animal cruelty and vegetarianism are touched upon without seeming preachy. The animals are quirky but never over the top.

The film’s performers elevate the narrative to great heights. There’s something incredibly genuine about Hugh Jackman’s portrayal of warmth and love for the animals. Molly Gordon is the emotional anchor, while Emma Thompson, Hong Chau, and Nicholas Braun add the humour.

The voice actors shine in every scene, especially Julia Louis-Dreyfus as the smart yet naive sheep — your heart will go out to her when her beliefs are debunked. Gentle Mopple and gruff Sebastian are perfectly enacted by Chris O’Dowd and Bryan Cranston. Tommy Birchall, as the outcast baby sheep, will tug at your heartstrings with his cuteness.

The animal kingdom is the purest world, and the viewer will be left moist-eyed on many occasions in this movie, which is wholesome in its theme and winsome in its performances. This is one of those family entertainers that will be enjoyed by kids as much as grown-ups.