Enid

It’s interesting that the BBC have chosen to air the life story of Enid Blyton, since the corporation infamously refused to adapt her stories within her lifetime. But BBC4 appear to do fractured life stories very well, be it Harry H Corbett or Kenneth Williams. Now, the girls get a turn of the page, as part of the 'Women We Loved' season.

So, one national treasure is played by another national treasure - Helena Bonham Carter, giving us another one of her frumpy cardigan/curiously sexy roles - and indeed, this piece is a patchwork of contradictions. From Digging For Victory in full evening dress and furs, or finding her one true friend in one of her employees, Enid was never happier than when reeling off letters to her adoring young fans, while her own children (one of them, the cool and careful little girl from Outnumbered) were stuck away in the attic, to be neither seen or heard, like the unfortunate characters in one of their mother’s own stories.

Above all, in spite of the contradictions - indeed, because of the contradictions - it was believable. Bonham Carter’s Enid could switch from petulant and selfish to charming and flirty on the turn of a ginger beer cap, and not always because it suited her own needs. In one scene, she’s waspishly insulting her husband, and in the next breath, honestly and affectionately referring to him as ‘darling’.

“I am not a monster!” she claims, in a moment when she’s clearly acted pretty monstrously - and it’s clear that much is true. If anything, she’s just as much a child as the millions she wrote for. With a steely glint in her eye, she is well aware of the power she wields, but if that doesn’t work, she’s perfectly capable of stamping her foot until she gets her own way.

Blyton’s books themselves were a mass of contradictions: ever since their publication, popular and well-loved, but oddly never particularly fashionable or indeed trusted, with shades of unpleasantness and nastiness underneath. She got one thing right though - the most important thing, in fact - she knew what kids wanted. In one moment (likely massaged for dramatic effect), she wrote a story about the mischievous antics of a naughty little puppy, while, in the corner of her eye, her alcoholic husband buried the family dog. You were marvelling at the woman’s self-delusion, while grinning like a child at the images she was creating. It’s the sort of performance that we in this country tend to ignore, but in a year or so, should pick up an Emmy nomination. Contradictions, indeed.



Airs at 9pm on Monday 16th November 2009 on BBC Four.
Released on DVD on 30th November 2009 by Universal Pictures UK.

Written by Andrew Allen.