There are a lot of ways that this adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s masterful character could have gone wrong. Thankfully, almost none of these common errors appeared and instead Director Guy Ritchie chose to make more of an action/detective thriller rather than a subtle sleuth noir.
This decision for more gung-ho and such is not entirely wrong, it makes for an impressive theater experience. However, The Lord of the Rings
“The studios have found comfort in these enormous movies. The big-budget blockbuster is becoming one of the most dependable forms of film making.” – Peter Jackson to Newsweek
It is as much a shame as it is a triumph for the industry to be able to say that. This means more movies are successful, but it also interprets in way that says ‘no one is really trying anymore; they just throw money at every script and hope to blow audiences away.’
This is very much the case for Sherlock Holmes. While the script and characterization is strong on its own, there is a far-from-subtle “block-buster” approach to the film. Thankfully, Robert Downey Jr., Mark Strong, and Jude Law’s acting capabilities as the famous duo and the new arch-nemesis Lord Blackwood (Strong), help balance the film out.
It is not verbatim to the text that Doyle has written, but it really did not have to be. At no point do Ritchie or the screenwriters Anthony Peckham, Simon Kinberg, or story writer Lionel Wigram, claim to be making the perfect adaptation. The film appears to be a slight interpretation. The setting predates adventures with Sherlock’s wicked rival, Professor Moriarty and seems to also revolve around some of the more notorious short works by Doyle starring Holmes, such as the Red-Headed League.
Irene Adler (McAdams), the famous female thief who gives Sherlock a run for his money (as well as his heart) from “A Scandal in Bohemia”, appears in the story as a wonderful female love interest, but is poorly played in terms of Doyle’s original interpretation of the character. It seems that Ritchie had McAdams focus on the sex of Sherlock’s favorite thief, rather than her knack for escaping tight situations and avoiding Sherlock’s clever gaze.
None of the characters were wholly wrong. Watson, though usually portrayed as slightly more overweight, sometimes less stalky, was wonderfully brought to life by Jude Law and the charming but still confounding relationship that Watson and Holmes share is dutifully kept up through the picture, and Robert Downey Jr.’s wit and charm certainly are contributing factors.
It is no secret that if anyone were to portray Sherlock Holmes in a less action-packed script, it would be House M.D. actor Hugh Laurie, however with the stunt-demands needed for this film (wow that boat was tremendously unnerving!) Iron Man’s Robert Downey Jr. seemed a closer fit. He thankfully keeps as good a British accent as Laurie does an American. Both can play the erratic, compulsive, drug-hoarding, artistic, detective, but only one can really get smashed with a giant sledge hammer and cause severe property damage and that actor would be Downey Jr. Sorry, Hugh. Maybe next time?
Sherlock Holmes is not a perfect adaptation, but in terms of a winter action movie, with good acting and more than decent story plot, it hits the nail on the head. There is no telling whether or not there will be a sequel quite yet, but I would hope not. The story, as it stands, is wonderful on its own. It will not take a leading detective of forensic sciences to tell you that this movie is a winner, so just go see it.
Guest Author Bio: Ty Duggan is an avid reader and a film enthusiast. Born in Rhode Island, Ty enjoys playing drums, listening to music and having detailed conversations on politics, faith and relevance of film in our modern culture.
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Although a lot different from its predecessors, this interpretation of the famous novel is rather good. I liked especially the effervescent dialogues between Holmes and Watson, Downey Jr and Law make a perfect couple.