Review of Mr. Holmes (2015) by Kunal K — 24 Jul 2015

The most brilliant mind to have ever existed in the fictional arena has been portrayed by several actors in their own distinct styles and character adaptations. While the suave and cunning of Jeremy Brett in the TV show provided a sophisticated, calm yet sharp Sherlock Holmes in the prime of his career, Benedict Cumberbatch plays the protagonist of the younger Sherlock with more social awkwardness, arrogance and seriousness in an adaptation that is darker and more cryptic. On the bigger screen, Robert Downey Jr.'s detective was awkward but effective in the midst of the explosive action in Guy's period films. Now, Bill Condon ('Gods and Monsters') directs Sir Ian McKellen in an adaptation of A slight trick of the mind that views the life of the legendary sleuth well past his prime. This isn't the typically riveting thriller one would expect but a subtle insight into one of the greatest minds that is so engaging due to the performances that it feels like a biopic of a real person.

Holmes is now 93 years old and in the English countryside, he resides in a house along with a widowed housekeeper (Laura Linney) and her curious son, Roger (Milo Parker). On one hand, dementia and frailty have weakened Holmes and on the other, they have somehow given him renewed motivation to keep his sharp wit and to pursue his hobbies. Chief among them is beehiving and a determined investigation of the factors leading to a sudden death of multiple bees.

Holmes then takes up to writing, mainly to disprove Dr. John Watson's fictional storylines of several cases and to find closure to his last case that forced him into retirement. The challenge is of course to write down the facts based on strands of memory.

Then there is Holmes' recent trip to Japan to meet a fellow botanist, who would help him obtain the rare prickly ash, a plant that would help him fight his memory lapses.

None of these threads are unsolvable mysteries by any measure. They are simply a part of an obsessive hunt for the truth that still lingers in the damaged mind of Sherlock Holmes.

In a rare occurrence, the various threads of the story come together eventually, not to reveal the big suspense but to bring closure to a remarkable career. Holmes may have solved most mysteries with his mind and science of deduction but he couldn't quite uncover the truth about the unsolvable mystery of the human soul.

Sir Ian McKellen's portrayal of Holmes is almost effortless. It's as though the charm, the suave and the elegance of the old school detective just come naturally to him. As a reclusive, snappy and bluntly outspoken old Gentleman of 93 years, Sir Ian, who is 76 in reality, comfortably transitions to the younger character who was at the height of his career and popularity when he took on what would become his last case of Mrs Ann Kelmot. But the finest scenes are between Holmes and that farm boy Roger (Milo Parker) as they slowly but surely uncover the subtle mysteries of Ann's case and the outbreak among bees. Sir Ian acts as a mentor for the kid and theirs is a grandfatherly relationship in which they share little adventures and secrets. We instantly connect to both characters and that is a credit to the rich screenplay that gives them a variety of emotions and situations to perform in.

Sir Ian's Holmes might not be the most popular but he does play it with more credibility and sincerity than most. It truly is a delight to watch such an accomplished and worthy actor step out of his fantasy adventures to portray a fictional character that now seems so real. He exposes the vulnerabilities of Holmes, his failures, his drawbacks and his weakest self. Ironically, it may well be Sir Ian's strongest performance.

Milo Parker looks up to Sir Ian as a mentor in the same way his character looks up to Sherlock Holmes. He might be a farm boy but he is a budding detective in his mind and talent. Laura Linney as Roger's mother is remarkable in her role as well. Her dedication for her son's well being, her struggles with income and dismissal of Holmes' unabashed attitude make up for Mrs. Hudson's absence among characters.

Bill Condon certainly took a gamble when he decided to adapt the screenplay from a book that has Sherlock Holmes towards the end of his career when the world is obsessed with his young self. Yet, with an outstanding casting that included a masterful performance by Sir Ian McKellen, 'Mr. Holmes' ends up being a distinct take on our favourite sleuth that is as likeable as any other. It still has the wit, the complexity, the observations and the deductions that made each case an exciting one. This has an equal dosage of the outspoken, serious but weak side of the character in the elegant persona of a fine actor that is Sir Ian McKellen.

8.547 on a scale of 1-10.