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Opening Arguments

Holmes revisited

Just a follow-up to my reported intent last week to go see the new "Sherlock Holmes" movie. We did, and I enjoyed it very much. I would recommend it as an entertaining movie that doesn't pretend to be anything else. I sort of agree with Steven Barnes, who "really wanted to love this movie" and instead "just kind of liked it. A lot." Since I didn't have any particular expectations but also liked it a lot, I guess that makes my review a tad stronger than his.

Barnes has an interesting insight:

Guy Richie's re-invention of the Sherlock Holmes film has, at it's core, a great idea: let's re-examine the way Doyle might have written about the exact same character in a more permissive, action-oriented era.

That speaks to whether Holmes purists will like the movie as they judge whether the film "is loyal to the essence of what Doyle actually created." I think it is, and the ones more likely to be disappointed are the "Basil Rathbone as Holmes" fans rather than the readers of Doyle's fiction. The film, for example (as Barnes notes), seems to make Holmes out as some sort of action hero. That would be startling for those used to Rathbone's more cerebral portrayal, but Doyle depicted Holmes as an expert in several forms of self-defense and someone very much able to take care of himself in a fight.

One of the things I liked most about the movie was its portrayal of Dr. Watson as an intelligent, witty, resourcesful man very much worthy of Holme's friendship. How we can be expected to believe that a medical doctor, heroic war veteran and literate compiler of the Holmes canon can be the bumbling boob portrayed by Nigel Bruce in the dozen Rathbone movies is one of life's great mysteries.

Posted in: All about me, Books, Film

Comments

littlejohn
Tue, 12/29/2009 - 5:57pm

One of our local papers - was it the JG or the N-S? - ran a review which made constant references to Holmes' "opium" addiction.
That isn't simply a matter of failing to read the books, it's complete cultural illiteracy. I could probably name a couple of GOP veep nominees who know Holmes injected cocaine, not opium. Well, probably not.
When asked about this, Sarah Palin said, "Opium? I don't think men should wear perfume."
Carrie Prejean didn't answer. Apparently her hands were full.

tim zank
Tue, 12/29/2009 - 6:46pm

Sooooo...what brought that on Littlejohn? Somebody with Palin bumpersticker cut you off in traffic today?

littlejohn
Tue, 12/29/2009 - 8:48pm

Nah, honestly I just love Palin. Regardless of her politics, she provides endless amusement. I'm really looking forward to the custody fight between Levi and Antler, or whatever her name is over, over little Halftrack, Coyote, or whatever the kid's name is.
Levi claims he has serious dirt on Palin. I hope he's not just blowing smoke up my kilts, and want the dirt and I want it now. America deserves to know.
And Carrie is just precious. I bet her mother is so proud.

tim zank
Tue, 12/29/2009 - 9:02pm

Put down the pipe brother, seek help.

Bob G.
Wed, 12/30/2009 - 10:03am

LMAO, Tim.

Leo:
While I did like Rathbone as Holmes, I never did like Nigel Bruce as Watson...I mean, HE (Watson) was the one who "chronicled" the adventures in The Strand, and was a very learned man in his own right.
And at the very end of Hound of the Baskervilles (1939) we do hear Holmes say to Watson: "Watson...the needle".
The late Jeremy Brett's protrayal was probably one of the best around to date.
I still like Downey as Tony Stark...lol.

Leo Morris
Wed, 12/30/2009 - 10:43am

Littlejohn, I presumed you were merely trying to be funny or provocative rather than so cheerfully displaying your own illiteracy and/or cultural ignorance, so there was, oh, a 7 percent chance I was going to let this go by without comment. And your obsession with Sarah is getting to be fascinating.

Kevin Knuth
Wed, 12/30/2009 - 10:54am

Interesting note- on the RADIO version (before the movies) Rathbone played Watson and Bruce played Holmes.

littlejohn
Wed, 12/30/2009 - 11:37am

Leo, I cheerfully confess my intellectual shortcomings.
Why is it "illiteracy" to be fascinated by a public figure who routinely makes controversial remarks, and recently ran for vice-president?
I guess my ignorance is showing. Please enlighten me. And yes, I'm perfectly aware of the Holmes short story in which the detective goes undercover at an opium den. But his drug of choice was cocaine.
Gosh, I never read any remarks by you or your fans about Barack Obama or Nancy Pelosi. I have never called you "ignorant."

tim zank
Wed, 12/30/2009 - 12:19pm

Littlejohn, I think what struck us as odd, perhaps even a little obsessive was how you were able to wedge in a host of derogatory remarks about a person so remarkably removed from the post at hand, i.e. Sherlock Holmes.

I would readily admit to slamming, chiding, ridiculing, and in general "making light of" Obama, Pelosi, Reid etal when germaine to the conversation. I just don't feel compelled to do it while in the midst of a discussion of a 19th century fictional detective. Just seems a fuzz out of context, no?

Leo Morris
Wed, 12/30/2009 - 12:36pm

For those interested in the Holmes canon, it's out of copyright, so you can find the whole thing -- all four novels and 56 stories -- online. Here's one place. ( http://www.sherlockian.net/canon/ )

Larry Morris
Wed, 12/30/2009 - 12:54pm

It never ceases to amaze me how any conversation here ultimately drifts toward something political and partisen, ... I'm surprised someone doesn't wonder about my cat Bubba's political affiliation. Perhaps if I hang around long enough this time, ...

tim zank
Wed, 12/30/2009 - 1:19pm

Larry, I'll just bet your cat Bubba is a "mouse-ist" isn't he?

Kevin Knuth
Wed, 12/30/2009 - 1:40pm

Zank gets props for that one! ;)

tim zank
Wed, 12/30/2009 - 2:46pm

Thanks Kevin, Happy New Year!

littlejohn
Wed, 12/30/2009 - 4:01pm

It's nice to see that everyone has calmed down. I suggest a bit of tea. That always keeps me from losing my temper and calling people "ignorant" and "illiterate." I sure no one really meant it.
This should go back to being the sensible, utterly non-partisan discussion it always is. You all have my sincere apologies for suggesting that the Palin children have unusual names.
I shall strive to be more like Bob, with his kind remarks about the "Democrat" Party. Cheers, everyone.

tim zank
Wed, 12/30/2009 - 4:13pm

Still "fishin" are we LittleJohn? Bobby might take the bait...

Leo Morris
Wed, 12/30/2009 - 4:46pm

So, littlejohn starts this thread by making gratuitous and irrelevant insults about two women he feels superior to, then gets thin-skinned over somebody calling him names. (Let's talk about him as if he isn't even there, the way he does about some of you sometimes.)

Larry: I dunno. Bubba waits around to be fed and takes it for granted that all of his needs will be met when he wants them met. Seems like a Democrat to me. Er, make that Democat.

littlejohn
Wed, 12/30/2009 - 6:58pm

Leo, you may rest assured I feel superior to no one.
Since you call your blog "Opening Arguments," I assumed you had no objection to one.
This is entirely my fault.

tim zank
Thu, 12/31/2009 - 9:37am

Now now, Littlejohn. Don't go away mad.

Bob G.
Thu, 12/31/2009 - 10:08am

Sorry, Tim...I was too busy LMAO....
BTW...NO one is like me (thank God)...if my parents were here, they'd back me up on THAT one.
Broke the mold, they did.

;)

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