by Irma Arkus
Sherlock Holmes, the newest incarnation of Arthur Conan Doyle’s legendary detective combined with that of Lionel Wigram’s masterful comic book, finally has a release date: December 5, 2009.
Even though that may seem like a long time to wait for a film, the cinematic promise of this particular one, is grand.
With Guy Richie in the directors seat, Robert Downey Jr. as Sherlock Holmes, Jude Law as Dr. Watson and Rachel McAdams as Irene Adler, the film is meant to provide a bonafide blockbuster. And not just any kind of blockbuster, but the one accompanied with excellent acting, a decent script, and enough money for lighting and editing…all those important “details” that a good movie makes.
The first glimpses of Sherlock Holmes have been shown during the Oscars. The first photos revealed a fragile, tanned Dr. Watson (Jude Law), who has just returned from Afghanistan. Sherlock is, of course, played by unmatched Robert Downey Jr., who can actually pull of the eccentricities that make Holmes, Holmes.
While at first I suspected that the film would be better in hands of Christopher Nolan, mostly because of an excellent experience that was The Prestige, Guy Richie has proven himself an excellent director. While his first successes, made up of choppy action crime dramas, such as Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch, were met with great fan following, his next productions were less celebrated.
The “choppinness” of Revolver for example, made the film too neurotic, too incognruous for the audience unable to suspend their belief. However, the recent RocknRolla, Ritchie took the time to pace himself, reveal the plot, and still stick with his stylistic tried and true formula.
While the schtick may be unsuitable for Sherlock Holmes, it does imply that even Ritchie, with the right editing team and camera work, can produce a decent linear plot, great timing included.
So, now, we just have to wait and then watch. Meanwhile, there are a few floating photos, revealed by Warner Brothers to awaken our curiousity. And with that a few interesting rumours.
The last bit to come into the media, is that Sherlock Holmes, in this film version, is gay. While I would rather believe that if Holmes really existed, he would actually be bi-sexual, I am perfectly delighted at the prospect of a gay Holmes. Why? Because it would potentially rub the North American audiences the wrong way. And I love a good rub.
Related posts:
