Mr. Holmes

SEE THIS MOVIE! Mr. Holmes is a masterfully crafted movie worthy of multiple Academy Awards. You will find no gimmicks or clichés here in a storyline that successfully and seamlessly interweaves contemporary issues in a beautiful cinematography and meaningful dialogue. This is a beautifully shot movie, with its multiple subplots contributes to its poignant and haunting conclusion. Each and every character has their own depth delivered with economy which does not burden or patronize the viewer: truly masterful storytelling based on the novel "A Slight Trick of the Mind" by Mitch Cullin. We have come to expect this quality and integrity from director Bill Condon (Dream Girls, Kinsey, Gods and Monsters). Mr. Holmes is a moving account of a culmination of the experiences of its characters which were chosen with economy and purpose which delivers depth that will leave us moved, touched and inspired. Ian McKellan portrays an aging Sherlock Holmes who is suffering from memory loss and fragility as he struggles to learn a very personal karmic lesson by revisiting the case which forced him into retirement. This is perhaps Sir Ian’s personal best performance.

made mortal and fallible. Perhaps the most human Sherlock I have seen and I am a fan of the character. It surprises me to see so many knee-jerk reactions to the concept of Sherlock at some point losing his edge, especially with the popularity of the Cumberbatch version suffering mental illness and the Laurie version having being a limping, pill-popping madman. I suppose some fans don't want their heroes revealed to be nothing more than people. I loved the film and am grateful it was made.

I am a huge fan of Ian Mckellen... but this movie didn't channel my view of Sherlock Holmes at all. I feel like this was trying to insert feelings of remorse or guilt that a dying man is likely to fall fallible to as they look over their last days... but it was all so underwhelming. The plot was not well considered, his personality was completely off- everything that makes Sherlock was cut to pieces as something to feel guilty for or ashamed of. The revelations of his cases were boring, with a slow lead up to its climax. I wanted to love this movie, as I have loved nearly every rendition of Sherlock but It felt like a movie about a dying old man that slapped on the title of 'Holmes' for effect.