Review: 'Sherlock Holmes' is iconoclastic!

Film: Sherlock Holmes (A)
Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Jude law, Rachel McAdams, Kelly Reilly
Director: Guy Ritchie

Rating: * * * ½

Lionel Wigram’s adaptation of Arthur Conan Doyle’s character story of the fiction-embellished detective, breaks the mould, so-to-speak. Hitherto Sherlock and his trusted aide Dr John Watson, with his singular powers of observation and remarkable detecting skills was unequalled in his pursuit of criminals of every stripe. Guy Ritchie’s version is true to that specific, yet more volatile, adventuresome, action-oriented and full of smarts.

Sherlock, with his intuitive and observation skills intact, also dons the superhero mantle – his new-fangled action prowess complimenting his legendary detective skills. It’s definitely a persona that we have never seen in the countless versions come before. Of course, purists will cry foul and just as likely are the liberalists, to flood the film with compliments galore. Just do not expect the traditional whodunit.

Once-fallen star Downey Jr has resurrected his career of late with some really noteworthy (Iron Man) performances, and in this film, his Sherlock is simply delightfully frothy, quirky and incredibly brainy. He is inventor, lover, friend, detective, action-hero – all wrapped in one. He can appear moody and irrational at times too – like when he tries to break up Watson’s engagement with Mary for the simple reason that he doesn’t want to lose a trusted ally. It’s a sharply etched performance that goes well with the new seemingly bisexual dynamic between Sherlock and Jude Law’s Dr Watson.

In this film the two are set up against Lord Blackwood (Mark Strong), a villain that has all the negative qualities of Dracula and Hitler put together. The plot is set up in a grand and classic manner. The opening sequence has Holmes and Watson saving a woman from death, and solving the mystery of the ritualistic killer. Blackwood is incarcerated and hanged, but he resurrects himself from the grave and wreaks havoc on the superstitious London populace. Holmes and Watson together set out to resolve the mystery, while engaging in some dalliances with their respective love interests (Rachel McAdams and Kelly Reilly). The relationship between Watson and Holmes comes across as entertaining, and is convincing mainly because Downey Jr and Law play it with exquisite timing – the dialogues are also quite witty.

Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes is full of style and a whole lot of swashbuckling action adventure. The script is well written, and the tone is gritty and engaging. Ritchie’s narrative is both, sharp and dippy. It may not be completely coherent, but it still dishes out the enjoyment at full blast. The film has great production values, the cinematography is evocative, the stunts are unbelievable, and the lead characters have strongly etched personas. To my mind, this is by far one of the most enjoyable Sherlock Holmes movie ever. Gimme more!