Have Myself a Very Holmes Christmas

Sherlock Holmes. The mere mention of that name eclipses its maker, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Considered by some as the pivotal character in sleuth history of literature, even the twentieth-century greats such as Agatha Christie and Dorothy L Sayers had quoted him as an inspiration. His creator had never pictured Holmes in a rather flattering light - he abused substances, mingled with the lesser class (considered as a taboo back then), took morbid interest in death and the like, and sometimes played the violin in a second-rate manner. Yet for all the faults that he so blatantly displayed, all that was so beautifully eclipsed by the sudden flashes of humanity in his character and, of course, his ability to deduce answers from a single glance. 


Then I learnt about Guy Ritchie's project, Sherlock Holmes, with Robert Downing, Jr. as the titular character. I took deep breaths. This overtly violent director was going to grab Holmes, turn him upside down and shook the poor thing down to the last penny. The only thing I've seen from him was the Madonna videoclip 'What It Feels Like for A Girl' and little rest. The god of sleuthing pantheon was finally torn down from his pedestal, or so I thought.


When you're proven wrong for the right reasons, though, it's the greatest feeling ever. Sherlock Holmes as envisioned by Guy Ritchie was a brute force in the rather gentile yet secretive society of London. When the society wakes up, Holmes, played deliciously by Robert Downing. Jr, stays hidden in his darkened room, thinking of mundane things. Yet later on we saw the real reason why he abhorred society so much. The irresistible, all-English Jude Law was John Watson, who was the complete opposite - a true gentleman with the heart of gold, war veteran, and the marrying kind. His plans of marriage, however, is hampered by two things: his interest in crime and his mercurial friend.


Into this fray were thrown a secret society, women (one beautiful, one beguiling), Inspector Lestrade, illegal boxing ring, mechanical and chemical devices, The House of Lords, and a man with magical powers. So do they make an explosive mix or simply fizzle harmlessly? I do so give it a shining 4 out of five stars. The reasons?

SPOILERS MAY BE AHEAD!!!

YOU WERE WARNED!




There are three:

1. Some may say that Holmes did no such things in his adventures. I do believe that Holmes could have done anything that was pictured in the movie. After all, we could see this movie as the beginnings of his career, and Watson is still staying with him, and is yet to be married. As to his boxing career, I see no better way to defend and keep oneself fit than participating in illegal matches - and get side income while doing it.
2. The whole story rarely plods, and the little details that one see throughout the movies - dead frogs in a jar, a dead midget, and bones from different animals - they all make sense at the climax. Those whose attention diminishes at the first ten minutes may leave the theatre immediately because this is the essence of a detective story. You stay with the story from start to finish, hold onto any clues, and finally put them together. If you can't, then do leave so others may enjoy them more.
3. The actors. Ah, they play their parts wonderfully! Robert seems to enjoy his part immensely, while Jude becomes the embodiment of the proper English gentleman, even down to the hairy arms and mustache. And I am glad to note that not all of the smart lines are given to Holmes - Watson had his moments, too. 

The next time you see a man licking a stone, he may not be crazy. Till then, enjoy your Christmas and New Year holidays!