The problem with this film, and yes there is just one little problem, is that it happens to be based on a literary character who is so deeply embedded in our imaginations that it is difficult to dislodge him. That is the issue with characters like Holmes, or Nancy Drew...or even dear old Potter.
But for a second, forget that this is the Holmes we all know. Forget that he is always supposed to be perfectly attired, politeness personified, the one who depends on his brain vis a vie his brawn. Forget for a moment that he is the proper English gentleman and my friend, you will be in for a treat.
Because Guy Ritchie's Holmes is nothing like the one we know. Not even a shadow of him. He borders on lunacy, thrashes around in the mud, is rarely ever in a clean suit and would rather fight his way through rather than discuss it out. But having said that, this character is vivid. He is witty, he is clever and he is unpredictale. Robert Downey Jr. has you hooked from the word go and from the very first scene to the last, he keeps you on your seat's edge.
The film is shot is fast short shots, almost Tarantino-like, the kinds where if you blink too much, you may lose the the plot. A visual delight is the treatment given to some fight scenes where he enacts the sequence bit by bit in his head and then goes ahead and executes it. Absolutely fantastic cinematography and after this portrayal of London's dark alleys and grey characters, the city will never be the same again. The other characters play suitably well, the 2 women, Dr.Watson and Lord Blackwood deserving a mention. But the star of the show, unarguably is Robert...and the guy at the editing table.
Forget the namesake of the film. Just call it "Madness and More - by Ritchie" for all I care. But do watch the film. You wont regret it.
Rating: 3 on 5
Paisa Wasool Moment: The fight sequences with the double takes.
5 comments:
There is this thing that, book is better than movies..sometimes movies disappoint us big time because the mental image we get while reading would be much much better than in those movies.
hope this is a good one!
I think you're right if we try not to compare a movie to the book its inspired from we can better enjoy this medium of art. we do need to make a conscious effort to do so.
I will take your suggestion and watch this movie.
do that...and let me know what you thought of it!!
Opulently I assent to but I contemplate the post should acquire more info then it has.
the movie left me dazed. amazing art direction. i have to give guy ritchie that! would have been any other guy who played sherlock (-you guessed it: as in NOT robert downey jr.), this movie would've sucked. bad. the romance in the movie was awful (anyone other than me who stil sees rachel mcadams as one of the "mean girls". heh.). anyway, movie wasn't actually good. but i'm inspired to read the sherlock books!
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