Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows was another one of my most anticipated films of the holiday season, which I'm sure is no surprise given my not so secret love of all things Holmes-related. :) The only mystery (which I still haven't figured out) is how this film was in theaters for almost a month before I finally got around to seeing it. My apologies to Sherlock and Watson.

Like its predecessor, this film franchise isn't for the Sherlock purist. That said, I thoroughly enjoy director Guy Ritchie's darkly compelling, gorgeous realization of Victorian England (and in this case, a great part of Europe), and the positively irresistible chemistry between Robert Downey Jr. as the world's foremost consulting detective and the delicious and adorable Jude Law as his long-suffering BFF Dr. Watson.

As promised at the end of the 2009 film, A Game of Shadows sees Holmes obsessed with tracking the movements of Professor James Moriarty, a shadowy puppetmaster intent on plunging all of Europe into a cataclysmic war. Moriarty is brought to life by Jared Harris. I have only a passing familiarity with Harris's filmography, but oh my word he was pitch-perfect as Sherlock's arch-enemy. His Moriarty is cold, calculating, and chilling, a soulless force of evil that counterbalances some of the ridiculousness that comes with this realization of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's stories -- the explosions, slow-motion fights, etc. Harris's Moriarity is a villain worthy of the name, and perhaps best of all he, by contrast, has the ability to make Downey's rather unorthodox Sherlock feel and be a hero.

My favorite aspect of this incarnation of Holmes is the relationship between Holmes and Watson. Downey and Law have this amazing on-screen chemistry. Whether or not you like the term bromance (if you have a better one, let me know!), Downey and Watson help define it and never better than the work they deliver in A Game of Shadows. The banter, the fights, the exasperation and most of all the never-changing, unshakeable affection between the two of them  -- GAH!! I absolutely love it. This film begins with Watson on the eve of his wedding to Mary (Kelly Reilly). Of course Sherlock buggers up his best man duties and forgets to invite anyone to the bachelor party, instead investigating a Moriarty-related lead (Watson remains happily - and drunkenly - oblivious). But despite his veneer of selfishness and denial, Sherlock still manages to get Watson to the church on time, and Downey still manages to break my heart by looking on his friend's happiness with such a forlorn look that it just killed me.

And this is where things get really interesting if you're a fan of this Holmes/Watson dynamic asI am -- so much of the subsequent action results partly from Sherlock's desire to keep his best friend close, but more than that, to keep him safe. Sherlock may trash-talk marriage, may make a great show of trying to get Watson to rethink his future, but when Moriarty threatens Watson and Mary, Holmes will do anything to keep them safe (including throwing Mary from a moving train). Speaking of Mary, Kelly Reilly is absolutely superb in the role. Though her screentime is limited, she and Law make a lovely couple, and for all that Sherlock must try her patience, Reilly tempers what would be understandable frustration with a warmth that acknowledges just what Sherlock means to Watson. It's rather like when Mary is in the picture, Sherlock is the Watsons' wayward child, or that relative that you love but wears you out to no end with their shenanigans. *wink*

Given how fantastic it was to see Mary decipher Moriarty's stolen accounts book (and does she every relish the work -- the girl has moxie!), one wonders Ritchie and company don't make greater use of Reilly's talent. Irene Adler (Rachel McAdams) makes a brief appearance, only to be dispatched within the first fifteen minutes (one assumes she's in a sanatorium since Moriarty infected her with tuberculosis, if not dead altogether). Reception for McAdams's Adler was mixed as I recall when the first film released -- the scripting for her character did her no favors, though I do like the spark that enters Downey's eye when dealing with "the Woman," and placing her squarely on the wrong side of the law as a sort of "spy for hire" is a premise with possibility. If nothing else her questionable fate gives Downey an excuse to up the angst factor, and we all know how much I love that. :)

This script introduces gypsy fortune-teller Simza Heron, played by Noomi Rapace in her English-language film debut. I didn't think Simza was a very well-realized character, which in hindsight should be no surprise. However, I LOVED the atmosphere and culture that introducing gypsies to the storyline gave the film, in particular how it gave Hans Zimmer an excuse to incorporate gypsy-like rhythms into his fantastic score for the film.

I am so glad I somehow managed to stay away from an reviews of this film that mentioned Reichenbach, as revelation that the scene of Holmes and Moriarty's ultimate confrontation figures significantly in the movie's climax. The film is bookended with scenes of Watson typing up this film's nod to the canonical "The Final Problem", giving me great hope that a third Sherlock film is in the offing that will build on the strengths of this second installment. A Game of Shadows is at its best when showcasing the Holmes/Watson friendship first and foremost, and secondarily for its colorful evocation of late 19th century Europe, a powder keg ready to explode with the slightest provocation (Moriarty's goal) -- and we can see Ritchie hint at the pieces of the puzzle that would become a perfect storm twenty three years after this film is set, and engulf Europe in World War I.

From the construction-strewn streets of London, seen awash with a wonderful sepia tone that adds a richness to each frame of film, to the glitter of a Paris opera house, to a gloriously-rendered castle on a Swiss mountainside, A Game of Shadows is a feast for the eyes. The film is packed with wonderful period detail, from the clothing to the sets, and that coupled with an energetic pacing and a more focused storyline makes this sequel an improvement on a predecessor that despite its oft-irreverant treatment of its source material I found surprisingly enjoyable. There's enough surprises planted throughout these films, little nods to Doyle's stories that make the Sherlock aficionada in me quite happy (such as Moriarty's lieutenant being Colonel Sebastian Moran of "The Adventure of the Empty House," played by Paul Anderson). I have to acknowledge Stephen Fry as Mycroft Holmes -- he really is ideally suited as a foil to Downey's Sherlock. And I was so happy to see Eddie Marsan make a brief appearance at the end of the movie as Inspector Lestrade.

After Watson's utterly bereft, horrified look at Holmes falling to his death (seriously, Law has gorgeous eyes), I'm really looking forward to the third installment in this franchise -- it has to be made. The promise of Sherlock's return and Watson's indignation (at being so monstrously used)/joy is to tempting to pass up. :)

Sherlock Holmes

Possible spoilers…

I have to confess, I went into the new Sherlock Holmes movie with relatively low expectations. I’m an inveterate Jeremy Brett-IS-Sherlock Holmes fan, so the news that Robert Downey Jr. would be taking on the role was greeted with a healthy dose of skepticism. No one else can seriously compare to Brett in my view, end of story, period, the end. I’d say I was intrigued by the idea of the movie – I like Robert Downey Jr. well enough, and Jude Law is, well, JUDE LAW, but the movie was being directed by Guy Ritchie. I mean the guy married MADONNA for goodness’ sake (that does not gain one points in my book, just sayin’). However, color me shocked on all fronts – I loved this movie. Downey may not be “the” definitive version of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's most famous creation, but his take on the iconic character is the most fun and entertaining that I’ve seen in, well, ages. And I loved Law’s take on Watson – refreshingly, here Watson is mind-blowingly competent for once, and the movie gives you a good sense of the Holmes/Watson friendship, particularly the sacrifices Watson had to make in his personal life in order to make that friendship work. Downey and Law have a really wonderful best friends chemistry on-screen, and seeing that friendship play out is a big part of what made the movie so enjoyable for me.

The look of the film is spectacular. I loved every single thing about the way Ritchie presents his darkly foreboding vision of Victorian England. He gives the atmosphere of the movie a real gothic flair. I also loved the costumes – Downey and Law each wear their respective suits really well. And it’s nice to see Sherlock sans the deerstalker hat that’s become such a part of the character thanks to previous films. Here Holmes is a somewhat more bohemian dresser which fits with the character’s somewhat slapdash personal habits from the stories. Mark Strong’s costumes give his character, the villainous Lord Blackwood, a suitably Dracula-like flair. The only real punches of color in the film as regards costumes belong to Holmes’s muse, Irene Adler (Rachel McAdams). The shocking bursts of color in her costumes represent well, I think, what her character does for Holmes in the film (that is, shakes him up terribly!). Oh, and the Hans Zimmer score is just fantastic - definitely one of my favorites by him, full of cool themes and Holmesian flourishes. Probably my favorite work by Zimmer since the Pirates films.

This version of the Holmes story returns much of the character’s energy to the screen that’s lost or “toned down” in earlier film adaptations (like Basil Rathbone’s take on the character). Brett’s take on Holmes does a good job of balancing the more refined, aristocratic points of the character’s personality with his tendency towards rather manic bursts of energy, particularly in the middle of a chase. This is seen especially in the early Brett films, since as the series progressed the actor’s health grew progressively worse and the effects of those health problems can be seen on-screen. In 2009 much of the gentlemanly veneer Holmes has worn for the past 100 or so years is ripped away, and we get to see all of the character’s energy and brilliance on full display.

Which brings me to Robert Downey Jr. as Holmes – I LOVED every second of his performance. Downey’s Holmes is brilliant, eccentric, energetic, manic, selfish, mannerly, sensitive, and hopelessly inept at personal relationships. He’s extreme in all respects, but in the best possible way. One of the best aspects of how Holmes is portrayed in this movie is that you get to see how the detective thinks. Credit for successfully pulling off this not inconsiderable feat goes to both Downey's acting and Ritchie’s direction. Seeing the way the great detective’s brain views the world is not only fascinating, but it goes a long way towards explaining why he finds “normal” (haha) people so frustrating to deal with (and vice-versa). In addition to the really extraordinarily well-done depiction of Holmes’s mental acuity, this take on the character doesn’t shy away from any of Sherlock’s more sensational habits and skills. We get Holmes the drug addict, the fighter (fist-fighting, plus he’s quite handy with a cane), the amateur scientist, the disguise expert, and the violin aficionado.

Holmes’s ever-present friend and roommate is of course, Dr. Watson, whose film portrayals have ranged from the buffoonish to the competent (but never, ever approaching Holmes’s equal!). Jude Law’s take on Watson ranks as one of my favorites, not because of how it relates (or not) to the source material, but because it gives you such a great sense of the genuineness of the Holmes/Watson friendship. This movie comes at a rather trying time for the long-time residents of 221B Baker Street, since Watson is planning to get married. Of course marriage is going to alter some of Watson’s priorities, and that’s a change that the rather narcissistic Holmes is loathe to accept, which leads to some really funny scenes. I really liked how Law’s Watson is really competent, kind, loyal, and conscientious – he knows he’s not as flashy or quick-witted as Holmes, but he’s also not going to be taken advantage of (not without a fight, anyway!).

When I first saw the previews for Sherlock Holmes, I had somewhat mixed feelings toward the apparent steampunk direction of the storyline. It seemed as though Holmes was going to go all Van Helsing-like in this story, fighting baddies who can apparently raise themselves from the dead. The baddie in question is Lord Blackwood, played by the fantastic, fabulous, oh-my-gosh-his-voice-is-so-amazing-I-could-listen-to-it-all-day Mark Strong. Love him, in case you couldn’t tell. Strong is just terrific in this film – he’s scary, intense, evil, and wickedly smart, all in all a worthy adversary for Holmes. (He’s also gorgeous, weirdly crooked teeth notwithstanding. But that’s neither here nor there.) ;-) To speak to Blackwood’s methods – yes, he’s into all sorts of wonky spiritualism which fits well with the dark, gothic atmosphere of the movie. But the final confrontation at the end of the film neatly brings things back into Holmes’s most beloved area of expertise – that of a case solved through logical, well-ordered, scientific reasoning. I thought it was nicely done, and a touch I didn’t quite expect given the apparent tone of the movie. While I enjoyed the entire film, the concluding scenes are what really sold me on Downey as Holmes.

Irene Adler (Rachel McAdams) is the one ever-so-slightly missed opportunity in this movie in my book. Adler is such a fascinating character in the Holmes canon. She's the only woman who ever managed to gain the detective's genuine admiration. All other women were only interesting if they brought a fascinating problem Holmes's way, while Adler was the only one whose personality, mind, and capabilities fascinated him. This time around Adler is a little more than an American "adventuress," now she's a spy/thief for hire. When Adler and Holmes meet, sparks fly (I loved the moment when Holmes tries to hide her photo!), and it's clear that in this Holmesian universe the two have a passionate and complicated past. McAdams and Downey have some nice on-screen chemistry, and the characters' reunion raises tons of questions, like how did they meet, why were they separated, etc.? It's such an interesting premise, to place an iconic character like Adler on the wrong side of the law, but I just don't feel like the script did her justice. I wanted more context for her character, but perhaps that will be supplied in the promised sequel. The final scene between McAdams and Downey is very well-played, and I look forward to seeing the relationship develop in Holmes #2.

There's a few minor characters that I simply must mention. Eddie Marsan, last seen in Me and Orson Welles and earlier this year in Little Dorrit, is the perfect Inspector Lestrade to Downey's Holmes. He's Holmes's friend, but he's also enough of a by-the-books policeman to get aggravated with the detective's sometimes unorthodox methods. Kelly Reilly, who also made a brief appearance in Me and Orson Welles, plays Watson's fiancee Mary Morstan. She at first catches absolute hell from Holmes for "stealing" away Watson, but in a refreshing turn of events she very classily rises above this and recognizes not only how much Watson regards Holmes's friendship, but how much the too really need each other. The scene in the hospital was extraordinarly well played. Hans Matheson makes a brief appearance as one of Blackwood's cronies, the aptly named Lord Coward. Matheson is quit good at playing bad guys as he previously appeared as Alec D'Urberville in Tess on Masterpiece Classic earlier this year. James Fox also continues his practice of making a guest appearance in just about everything by playing Blackwood's father, Sir Thomas.

This is a seriously fun movie, was for me anyway. I may go see it again if time and finances permit. And I can not wait for the sequel this movie promises - the introduction of Moriarty (did I let that slip? *wink*) is beautifully done. Can. Not. WAIT. :)