Review of Mr. Holmes (2015) by Bob J — 27 Jul 2015

"The man beyond the myth" reads the tagline for this dramatic take on Baker's Street famous detective, and it couldn't be more accurate. Eschewing the superhuman investigative skills and talent for hand-to-hand combat that modern Sherlock audiences are familiar with, this version instead focuses on an elderly Holmes (Ian McKellan) filled with regret and guilt.

Traveling along multiple storylines - delicately woven together by screenwriter Jeffrey Hatcher - Mr. Holmes finds the ex-sleuth pondering his retirement of 35 years, subsequently unravelling an emotional mystery he had long repressed.

Although letting the pace slip in the flabby middle section, filmmaker Bill Condon's careful shot construction wisely ensures the attention is firmly on his 76-year-old star, whilst also highlighting the stunning period detail.

Condon is aided by the glorious sun-soaked cinematography of Tobias A. Schliessler and a stirring score from Carter Burwell, the two combining to create a delightful, almost celestial atmosphere. Inevitably though, this movie belongs to the one and only Ian McKellan.

As a curmudgeonly nonagenarian taking a final stab at redemption, McKellan strikes an impeccable balance between annoying old codger and lovable, heartbroken grump; ultimately delivering a majestic performance to absolutely relish.

Those looking for the crime-centric thrills of Cumberbatch's TV Sherlock or the action-packed nature of Downey Jr's big budget Sherlock should be warned: this is as far removed from those incarnations as possible.

Those seeking an intelligent, contemplative tale of late-life concerns with a masterful central turn and emotional resonance, you've come to the right place.