With all the variations and adaptations of Arthur Conan Doyle’s most famous stories through the years, I can honestly say the Sherlock in my imagination never looked quite like this.
The 2009 film Sherlock Holmes directed by Guy Ritchie is pure entertainment, an almost flawless treat for the holiday season. Beginning with the musical score reminiscent of an old turn-of-the-century bar room upright piano and ending with sanguine scene drawings, Sherlock Holmes brings the literary character to life in a light, action-packed, and charming feast.
When the story begins, Holmes and Dr. Watson, working with the local authorities, catch serial killer and black arts practitioner Lord Blackwood. As Holmes and Watson prepare to wrap up yet another successful case with the execution of Lord Blackwood, Dr. Watson prepares to move out of the quarters he shares with Sherlock Holmes at Baker Street to move in with his fiancée. When Lord Blackwood returns from the grave, the case is back on, and Holmes and Watson trace the clues to magic, murder, and secret identities.
The costumes and scenery provided almost as much entertainment as the action. The dark, shadowy scenes, gritty streets, and costumed extras filled each screen and aid to move the story along.
As mentioned at the top of this post, Sherlock Holmes is an almost flawless film for entertainment. For true Sherlock Holmes fans, Robert Downey, Jr.’s Holmes veers far from the Holmes played by either Basil Rathbone or Jeremy Brett, the two actors most recognized as Holmes. The dialogue, speech patterns, and wit are more in line with today’s audience than a representation of Doyle’s creation, and the mystery is weak. One of the delights of a Doyle story were the unexpected results of Holmes’ deductions.
As pure entertainment, Sherlock Holmes is aces. Although I never forgot I was watching Jude Law and Robert Downey, Jr., I didn’t mind. I did mind Rachel McAdams as Irene Adler. I would have liked an actress with a stronger voice and stronger features for the only person who outwits Sherlock Holmes.
Overall, I recommend Sherlock Holmes for an easy, entertainment-filled evening at the movies.
