Review of Mr. Holmes (2015) by Mitchell B — 27 Nov 2015

Mr. Holmes is definitely the best addition to the Sherlock Holmes legend in a long time. That says something considering I just consider myself a casual Sherlock Holmes fan. I was first introduced to the character as a child watching the children's animated series Sherlock Holmes in the 22nd Century which is still my favorite version of the character personally. I've also seen the two recent films with Robert Downey Jr. which I liked, at least the first one anyway. I've also seen some of the old movies which I found rather boring. Now there's this film which I would be a close second in terms of my favorite renditions of Sherlock Holmes.

The plot is as follows. The movie revolves around an aging Sherlock Holmes and moments near the end of his life. He recently returned from a trip to Japan and is back to his remote house tending to his bees. He also forms a relationship with his housekeeper's son Roger. Homes is also frantically trying to piece together his memories of his final case before he retired so he could write it down how it actually happened.

What really carries this film is Sir Ian McKellen and his amazing performance. He is definitely one of my favorite actors working now. He is a great Sherlock Holmes and I could not see many other people in that role of old Sherlock Holmes.

I also really like the direction they took. From the trailer I was not immensely hyped for the film. The only draw for me was Ian McKellen. It just seemed like a child friendly adventure with Rodger as the main character solving a case with Sherlock Holmes mentoring and helping him. That's not what we got and I'm glad.

I like how they made this Holmes more down to Earth than any other version. Sherlock Holmes reminds me of Indiana Johns in some ways. They're both basically male fantasies who are awesome, kick ass, immensely, smart, show emotion but not too much, etc. He's an insanely brilliant man who goes off on adventures like Indiana Jones but in Holmes's case they're cases. They also both generally wear signature costumes. In Holmes's case it's his signature coat, hat, magnifying glass, and pipe. The Sherlock Holmes franchise, for the most part, has always been very stylized.

This is the most humanized version I've seen. I like how they even poke fun at the image of Holmes and how the world sees him. The movie says that Watson wrote exaggerated tales of Holmes's cases and even made-up his signature attire. Holmes basically calls it all rubbish. This Holmes looks like any normal man with a brilliant mind.

The atmosphere is another key driving factor. The film is kind of shot like a soap opera but here I think it worked. I like how there's no real villain but just Holmes trying to piece together his last case and his relationship with Roger. Such drama-centered film might put-off more casual viewers especially ones affiliated with the Robert Downey Jr. movies. I just found it a very soothing and relaxing film even in its more dramatic moments. The flashbacks to the earlier days were great to.

Of course it would not work unless the characters were interesting and they were. Holmes is a very interesting character (plus Ian's performance helped as well) and I liked seeing his personal growth throughout the film in realizing his initial philosophy he always lived by perhaps wasn't entirely correct. Roger is also a serviceable character for Holmes to interact with.

Overall, Mr. Holmes is a great new addition into the Sherlock Holmes franchise. Don't let the trailer, rating, and the tone turn you off. It may not be what is usually expected of Sherlock Holmes but it's still a brilliant character study and relaxing and entertaining watch for me.