Sherlock Holmes is perhaps one of my favorite series of all time. I will never forget the day that I stumbled up on A Study in Scarlet (the first in the series). I was staying at my boyfriend’s parent’s house. I had nothing to read and I was desperate – the downside of being a child who was read to every night is that I must read SOMETHING - ANYTHING AT ALL - in order to be able to fall asleep at night.
From the first few lines I was hooked. Everything I thought I knew about Holmes and Watson was almost completely wrong. Where was the dull dated storyline? The goofy cape and deerstalker cap? The foolish and bumbling sidekick? None of it was there! It was a witty, funny fast paced story! Watson is an intelligent and capable medical doctor and Holmes trusts and relies on him implicitly. One of the highlights of the series is the bond and friendship that develops between the two over the years. As for that deerstalker cap – imagine my surprise that Holmes dresses like any other Victorian gentleman and only dons the cape and hat in a few stories.
I tore through A Study in Scarlet and then devoured all the other stories. The four novels are undoubtedly the strongest. The short stories are fun, but only a few are truly memorable for me. I think the series weakened a little after Holmes was resurrected too. I get the feeling that Doyle’s heart wasn’t in it anymore. But all of that aside I think it’s so unfortunate that so many don’t know the *real* Holmes. The stories are a classic in the sense that they have universal and timeless appeal.
So we’ve established that I’m a Holmes fanatic. After I devoured the stories I devoured the film and television adaptations. I’m actually not that fond of the iconic Basil Rathbone series. Something about the time period shift (WW II era London) and Nigel Bruce’s famous portrayal of Watson as an old fool get under my skin. But all that aside they do have some classic camp value. I think the best and most definitive was the 1984 to 1994 series with Holmes played by Jeremy Brett. They’re not to be missed by any Holmes aficionado. In fact, if anyone out there is puzzling over what to get me for Christmas or birthday one year…look no further ;-) Having said all that I’m not a total purist and I totally enjoy work that is merely inspired by the series. For example the very modern Fox series House MD is a fun take on the characters of Holmes and Watson via House and Wilson.
So, how about this new movie? (I certainly wasted enough time getting here didn't I?) Robert Downy Jr. as Holmes? An action flick to boot? Although it hasn’t been that popular with the critics honestly, I loved it! I was really entertained from start to finish. It certainly takes huge liberties with the original material, but I expected that. And what’s more it’s clear that despite that the source material is still respected. I loved the set and costuming. I’m so annoyed with the critics who keep referencing the missing deerstalker cap! Ugh!
My little complaints – I thought the final solution was pretty darn far-fetched. But more than that I really disliked Rachel McAdams as Irene Adler. I’m all for a gutsy female protagonist , but she lacked the wit and charisma that the character calls for. If you’ve ever read A Scandal in Bohemia (the only story that features her character) you’ll know what I’m talking about. Also, I thought McAdams looked odd and out of place in the period costuming. And what was up with the heavy makeup? I don’t think any of this were huge detractors though. The friendship and interaction between Holmes and Watson is the focus and highlight of the film and I’m eagerly awaiting a sequel!
From the first few lines I was hooked. Everything I thought I knew about Holmes and Watson was almost completely wrong. Where was the dull dated storyline? The goofy cape and deerstalker cap? The foolish and bumbling sidekick? None of it was there! It was a witty, funny fast paced story! Watson is an intelligent and capable medical doctor and Holmes trusts and relies on him implicitly. One of the highlights of the series is the bond and friendship that develops between the two over the years. As for that deerstalker cap – imagine my surprise that Holmes dresses like any other Victorian gentleman and only dons the cape and hat in a few stories.
I tore through A Study in Scarlet and then devoured all the other stories. The four novels are undoubtedly the strongest. The short stories are fun, but only a few are truly memorable for me. I think the series weakened a little after Holmes was resurrected too. I get the feeling that Doyle’s heart wasn’t in it anymore. But all of that aside I think it’s so unfortunate that so many don’t know the *real* Holmes. The stories are a classic in the sense that they have universal and timeless appeal.
So we’ve established that I’m a Holmes fanatic. After I devoured the stories I devoured the film and television adaptations. I’m actually not that fond of the iconic Basil Rathbone series. Something about the time period shift (WW II era London) and Nigel Bruce’s famous portrayal of Watson as an old fool get under my skin. But all that aside they do have some classic camp value. I think the best and most definitive was the 1984 to 1994 series with Holmes played by Jeremy Brett. They’re not to be missed by any Holmes aficionado. In fact, if anyone out there is puzzling over what to get me for Christmas or birthday one year…look no further ;-) Having said all that I’m not a total purist and I totally enjoy work that is merely inspired by the series. For example the very modern Fox series House MD is a fun take on the characters of Holmes and Watson via House and Wilson.
So, how about this new movie? (I certainly wasted enough time getting here didn't I?) Robert Downy Jr. as Holmes? An action flick to boot? Although it hasn’t been that popular with the critics honestly, I loved it! I was really entertained from start to finish. It certainly takes huge liberties with the original material, but I expected that. And what’s more it’s clear that despite that the source material is still respected. I loved the set and costuming. I’m so annoyed with the critics who keep referencing the missing deerstalker cap! Ugh!
My little complaints – I thought the final solution was pretty darn far-fetched. But more than that I really disliked Rachel McAdams as Irene Adler. I’m all for a gutsy female protagonist , but she lacked the wit and charisma that the character calls for. If you’ve ever read A Scandal in Bohemia (the only story that features her character) you’ll know what I’m talking about. Also, I thought McAdams looked odd and out of place in the period costuming. And what was up with the heavy makeup? I don’t think any of this were huge detractors though. The friendship and interaction between Holmes and Watson is the focus and highlight of the film and I’m eagerly awaiting a sequel!
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