Judging by the negative reviews, many did not understand this film, because they were waiting for a detective, and received a psychological drama. This is a quiet, measured movie with little plot acceleration. Take note.
This movie is not about the adventures of a brilliant detective, but about the end of his life. There are times when we look back at the past and ask ourselves: did I live right? do I regret something? what will remain after me? Holmes recalls a case he solved but lost anyway. The madness with which the hero fights creates the desired intrigue around the old case, whose development we collect pieces throughout the film, which allows us to try to solve it ourselves. He lost not because he was late, but because he didn’t understand the woman. Feelings have always been his weakness. This is interesting to see.
What about the Japanese and the boy Roger? Why them? For starters, these are two more stories from the hero’s life, and what’s wrong with that? Through interaction with these characters, we see other sides of Holmes. Traditionally calm, even cold-blooded, Holmes becomes a caring grandfather and an involuntary participant in the family drama. Why? Because it's a movie about his feelings and his ability to understand the feelings of others. I don’t want to call Holmes an unfeeling stone, but it’s true that he didn’t always understand the actions of family ties.
I do not recommend this tape to everyone, I will not say that it is a masterpiece. It’s a great movie that you can (or should) love. Just set the right expectations. This film is one of those where you feel in your gut that there is a message, but you can’t say this. Try to find it for yourself one quiet evening. You will not regret the time spent. Admire the landscapes, enjoy the actors, look for references to the original: there is something to watch.
Not so long ago I was talking about “Without a single piece of evidence”, and now I came across an equally interesting film “Mr. Holmes”. I wanted to see it at the time of release, but in our theaters, unfortunately, it was not shown, so I quickly forgot about it.
“Mr. Holmes” is another interpretation of the stories of Sir Arthur Conan Doel. It is based on Mitchell Cullin’s novel The Bees of Mr. Holmes. I am not familiar with him, which helps me evaluate the film as a separate work of art, and not a film adaptation of the book.
The plot tells us about old Sherlock Holmes, who has already retired, lives in a house on the outskirts, experiences the onset of dementia and breeds his bees. His brother died a couple of months ago, and Sherlock found books written by John Watson at his house that he had never read. One of them tells the story of Holmes' latest case, but he somehow thinks John has embellished it all. So Sherlock tries to remember the case and write a book about it.
The film is going quite slowly. Real events are combined with flashbacks. It is very sad to watch a brilliant detective who forgets the names of things, the names of people and his past and perfectly understands what is happening. It's a story about old age and loneliness, so there's almost no comedy in this movie. And despite the sadness, "Mr. Holmes" remains fascinating and entertaining. Yes, it already has much less of a detective genre, but that doesn’t make it worse or better. He's just different. More touching and soulful. At times, the film seemed a little protracted and boring, but the overall storyline corrected this aspect.
The main advantage of “Mr. Holmes” was a perfectly selected Sherlock. Sir Ian McKellen did a great job in this role, once again confirming his status as an incredible actor. He is still the same Holmes, faced with new life difficulties, which this time became old age and loneliness.
I really liked the locations and the overall nature plans because the location was really beautiful. Moreover, the Holmes era is still as acute as in many other films. Unfortunately, I did not remember the soundtrack at all, and the magnificent technical part was not to be expected here.
“Mr. Holmes” is made according to all the canons of Sherlock and pays tribute to one of the most iconic characters in history. I recommend this film to everyone, because after it there is a pleasant sad sediment on the soul. This film will not leave you indifferent.
A great way to immediately score a bunch of points to sail through the turbulent waters of the literary / film business not from scratch, in short, life hack: you need to take the most famous, most beloved and promoted character and write a story about him. What difference does it make that this hero is a figment of the imagination of another writer? Sherlock Holmes, the one who came from the pen of Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle, has been living his own life since then: who has not made films, TV series, cartoons about him. And all these sometimes crazy transformations of the beloved hero do not falter at all, perhaps because what I saw was filmed “for motives”, that is, with a greater (or less) share of sincere respect for the “canon”.
But a very strange feeling leaves this tape, shot on a novel. It is difficult to say for what purpose the author of the book made Sherlock Holmes the main character of the novel - judging by the film adaptation, this is just a story about old age and loneliness, all mentions of other characters of Conan-Doyle are far-fetched and not particularly justified: it was quite possible to do without them. All the new, original characters also do not explain the choice of Holmes for the role of the first violin. One gets the feeling that the author of the novel was afraid to come up with his own hero - well, let him also be a retired detective (traditionally, for a detective to dream of a super-peaceful hobby on a well-deserved vacation: remember Cuff from Moonstone, Commissioner Ghosh from Leviathan). And now Holmes is surrounded by some new people, "remembers" some completely new cases and cases, generally in his old age flies to Japan and walks there on the scorched soil of Hiroshima. Why Holmes? Why is that the case?!
So, perhaps, the main claims are to the novel (in content), well, or to the script, which have little to do with the original source. Because actors — great actors — play what’s written in the script (they play great, too). The music is pleasant, the camera work at the height, the costumes and scenery at the level, and everything related to the film adaptation does not cause any questions. Other than that, why do you want to make this story??
As KP reviewers have already noticed, the authors of the film (and the novel “Mr. Holmes’s Bees”) actually did what no one has ever done before: they shot a literal “Last Holmes Case” or even shot “Sherlock Holmes at Death.” The gradual fading away of the greatest mind of mankind can plunge its fans into a deep depression, so trustworthy and sincere in his role Ian McKellen. This is a very sad sight in every sense.
One simple story,
Or maybe not a fairy tale.
Or maybe it's not easy,
We want to tell you something.
We remember her from childhood.
Or maybe not since childhood.
Or maybe we don't remember.
But let's remember.
'Plastile crow'
One shound't leave this life without a sense of completion.
quote from the film
The plot, in short, is this.
1947. Ninety-three-year-old Sherlock Holmes returns from Japan to his bees. It has been 30 years since he left his career as a detective, and now he has only to investigate his own fading memory to recall the details of his latest investigation: you can’t die without a sense of completeness.
In Japan, Sherlock Holmes met a man whose name he can hardly remember, who asked him about his father, who disappeared in England more than 30 years ago, but the detective could not help him.
All of Holmes' friends have long since passed away, and even his housekeeper wants to quickly untie the unsociable and cocky old man. But her son becomes attached to the beekeeper and, gradually, becomes a support in his latest investigation.
The plot, which breaks down into three squares, is perhaps even melodramatic. The idea behind the film is incredibly simple – but consistently executed and completed. And at the same time, the film, in my opinion, is one of the most outstanding works about Sherlock Holmes.
In the local Sherlock, there is almost nothing from the image replicated by Soviet and English pop culture, it is as remote as possible from Conan-Doyle - but it is thanks to the distance that it is unusually believable, you just need to give the film such a distance to gain. This same detachment allows us to reveal in the hero, replicated to dust and dust, what cannot be achieved either by transferring events to our days or by the entire arsenal of postmodern narrative techniques. Look at the image of Sherlock through the eyes of history.
And tell a completely not detached, but extremely vivid story, a fairy tale about magnifying glass, bees and Roger.
Many critics mistook this witty parable for a detective - for which they paid a price. It is a pity that the painting paid less.
At the same time, you need to understand that this is a plot, genre film, do not expect any artistic revelations from him.
Nevertheless, all lovers of leisurely, thoughtful cinema are strongly recommended to watch.
“Mr. Holmes” is a drama with elements of a detective, where the legendary English detective appears before us in a new light: he is no longer a character, but a real person who now spends his old age in the countryside in the company of his housekeeper and her son Roger.
Sherlock Holmes spends most of his time on the apiary, tending to his bees and trying to figure out what is killing the colony. This is helped by Roger, who admires the intellectual abilities of the old detective.
Holmes is haunted by an old case that forced him to quit his job. It was the last for the great detective, but for what reason 93-year-old Sherlock does not remember. Deciding that he must, before he dies, figure out what went wrong, Holmes begins to write a story. But he is hampered by poor memory and senile dementia.
Great movie with interesting, though sluggish current narratives. Sherlock’s life is interspersed with his memories of a mysterious investigation and a journey to Japan to find a rare plant that can restore memory.
There are two detective lines. The first is a story from the past that haunts Holmes, the second is a small investigation involving Roger. Both of them are interesting in their own way and create a contrast between the former Holmes and the current almost helpless old man.
The film is touching, taking on the soul. To many it will seem boring and meaningless, but in fact it is not. The drama raises a lot of exciting questions, makes you think about important things. This is a film about death and loneliness, about love and loss, about attachment to your work and about the ability to admit mistakes, even when it is impossible to fix anything.
High-quality, thoughtful plot, beautiful scenery and pleasant musical accompaniment make this film pleasant to perceive. And I'm not talking about acting - it's at the highest level.
I highly recommend "Mr. Holmes" to those who like thoughtful cinema with meaning and leisurely storytelling.
“Mr. Holmes” is a picture where there are pleasant characters, played by talented actors, beautiful landscapes and a mesmerizing atmosphere. But what did the creators want to say to the audience with this film?
Unfortunately, this movie will not be one of those that you will watch several times. One view is enough to appreciate 93-year-old Sherlock Holmes, his bees and a young friend. There is no twisted detective story, and the one that is, looks somewhat ridiculous. I understand, first of all, the film positions itself as a drama, but still it is the greatest detective of all time ... a good detective storyline suggests itself.
And again, unfortunately, the picture did not cause me any emotions. I enjoyed watching the cast and the beauty of nature, but nothing more. And, dare I say, I'm not that insensitive. I am afraid that the point here is in the story itself, which does not dispose to the manifestation of stormy feelings in the viewer.
Bottom line: if you want to watch a good detective, participate in the investigation, puzzle over a confusing plot, then pay attention to other films about the same Sherlock Holmes. If you are interested in stories about old age, the difficulties of being and thinking about the past, then I recommend watching a movie called “The Second Life of Uve”.
6 out of 10
A film about a new romanticism, an attempt to reconcile a modern romantic hero with reality. Sherlock Holmes is a very good example. In the modern mass consciousness, he is the perfect embodiment of a romantic superhero. Holmes’ exceptional intelligence makes him superhuman, superhuman. The film does not take away Holmes' superpowers. He puts the hero into reality. In reality, superpowers do not bring happiness. It separates people and leads to loneliness.
On the one hand, it is a conscious choice for the sake of asserting one’s exclusiveness, the desire to rise, and at the same time – fear, the inability to accept people and oneself as a person. The hero thinks he knows how to live with it. We need to find our place. But a brief encounter with a "special" woman breaks him down. His speculative, intellectual defense—the one he built all his life—is untenable.
The woman Holmes meets is the archetype of a woman, waiting for all the romantics of our time. She's the one who fits. She's no shame. She's pretty good. It allows you to remain superhuman, satisfying human aspirations for life. But it only becomes that way when it rises above the romantic. Holmes arrogantly rejected her human. She had to die to rise above him.
At the end of the film, Holmes finally confesses his love for the boy. A romantic cannot love a real woman. Woman is the embodiment of reality, it is life. A romantic can't live. So the ending seems inconclusive. Formally, the hero submitted, accepted life and received for it a reward, redemption - family, peace and self-determination. But it's a lie. The marker is an episode in which Holmes writes a letter to Japan, where for the first time in his life he composes history and sacrifices his main principle - "truth". He believes that if he had betrayed the truth earlier, it would have saved the woman's life. But the episode looks alien and went off.
"Truth," "truth," is the key thing in the romantic picture of the world. “Truth” is not just conformity to facts. It's a fact. Its main feature is that it is the only possible. Of all possible interpretations, there is only one true interpretation.
The truth is that the only possible end of romance is death. It's an artistic truth until someone comes up with a way to reconcile romance with life. So that they believe it, that it becomes part of the myth. The movie didn't do that.
- You cannot leave this world without completing all your work.
You know, even how strange to learn about such a film after the fact, especially considering the fact that the new picture of Bill Condon – almost a year as visited the world of film distribution. Using the method of the hero of the film, I will try to draw reasonable conclusions from some things that are known about the tape. From the fact that the picture of the European level (where preference is given to leisurely conversations, mise-en-scene and smooth immersion in the plot, as well as acting), to everything else is an adaptation of a little-known, modern novel - the interest of a limited group of viewers is guaranteed. Like: film lovers, lovers of good literature and fans of the legendary character, whose old age is the story in this work. From here it is clear not too high hype at the box office. But, given the small budget of the production, it is possible to guarantee its payback due to limited release and subsequent sales of the film on the video market and TV. Of course, for the sake of commercial gain, this is not removed. However, it is strange to realize that Condon’s film also missed any notable awards and nominations. As for me, the main star of the film, the patriarch of English cinema - Ian McKellen deserved at least the nomination for the Oscar! He was so sensual, playing on inconsistencies and halftones, was able to present to the audience, not just the old, but the decrepit Sherlock Holmes. Who exists in the plot on the rights of a genuine person, as it turned out, having little in common with the artistic image that glorified him with the efforts of the unforgettable Dr. Watson. It was not only interesting to watch the amazingly subtle play of the old professional, but also interesting was the story itself told in the film. Central to this is the friendship of a very old detective and a small but inquisitive boy. Which, even replace the detective of the deceased friend – the doctor, becoming a partner in solving the last case in his career.
And so, the time of action is the summer of 1947, the place where the main events of the story unfold - Assex, a house in a rural province, near the coast. For more than 30 years there lived a former storm of the underworld - Mr. Sherlock Holmes. Who has long left detective work, preferring to devote the rest of his life to breeding bees and farming on his own apiary. Holmes is looked after by a housekeeper – a single woman with a child (Laura Lini and Milo Parker). Who became very attached to the old detective, persuading him to tell him about the last case of the great Sherlock Holmes, from which he left the profession 3 decades ago. The friendship of old Sherlock and young Roger is complicated by progressive Alzheimer’s disease, which increasingly takes over the mind of the once brilliant detective. He is struggling to fight it, hiding this ailment from others: keeping a secret diary, making some notes about what is happening around the events and even ... writing down the names of the interlocutors on cuffs! Realizing his imminent departure from this world, the great detective decides to write his own, autobiographical story about Sherlock Holmes, in which he will tell readers about his real self, dispelling some of the myths surrounding his name, which for years have firmly entered the minds of readers. For example, the famous detective could not stand hunting caps, preferred fragrant cigars to a smoking pipe, and also never lived on Baker - 221 Bis Street. But most importantly, in his story, Holmes wants to tell a detective story, the disclosure of which led to tragic consequences and changed his life. Complicating this is the summoning old-fashioned memory, and recalling the events of thirty years ago, the hero seems to be again conducting an investigation. In passing, recalling his recent trip to Japan, in which his admirer remained, soon wrote him a letter in which he asked the detective to tell him the truth about his father, who many years ago left his family and left for England. A boy who helps Holmes with the apiary, meanwhile, conducts his own investigation - after all, someone started killing their bees!
What about the movie? It is slow, but it is not long at all. The standard 1.5-hour timekeeping accommodated as many as three mini-stories, which in the “griffith” manner are presented not sequentially, but simultaneously – through flash – backs. Competently ending in the final, which is their peculiar point of intersection. It turned out to be a very heartfelt, nostalgic movie - to watch which, perhaps, will not be superfluous. And not only lovers of the works of Arthur Conan-Doyle, but also fans of great cinema, which is likely very soon we will lose, in the rush of studios to follow the path of least resistance - shooting only sequels, prequels and remakes. Although, if desired, the film by Bill Condon can be advertised as a kind of “sequel” to all the famous stories about Sherlock Holmes. However, it would be too cynical for the upcoming blockbuster Guy Ritchie, whom everyone (including me) has already been waiting for. Seriously, the tandem of actor and director - Ian McKellen and Bill Condon - again told us a sentimental, slightly melancholy story with a pleasant aftertaste. Similar to the one that made them famous almost 20 years ago, when their “Gods and Monsters” – which tells about the last months of the life of the creator of the classic horror about Frankenstein – James Wyle, and his controversial friendship with his young gardener – came to the screens. Again, the director relied on an earlier book. She became the novel of the English writer Mitch Cullin – “Mster Holmes’s Bees”, which appeared in 2013, and was published including in Russian. The script adaptation of the book was made by Jeffrey Hatcher, who carefully treated the literary source, recreating in the script all the soulfulness and heart-touching feeling of loneliness of the protagonist. After all, Sherlock Holmes is a man of Victorian England, in fact, has already sunk into oblivion of the era. He was a witness and contemporary of the greatest historical upheavals of the new century, survived two World Wars, and buried all his friends: Dr. Watson, Mrs. Hudson, Irene Adler. And at the end of his life he lost the most precious thing - his greatest talent as a brilliant detective, since he began to fall into insanity like all those who survived to such an advanced age. Friendship with little Roger helps the hero to find a thirst for life, gives strength to remember that old story and finish his true story. The excellent performance of the actors involved in the film, the delightful music written by the composer Carter Burwell and the subtle direction of Bill Condon - make this story an extremely pleasant, not without benefit pastime in the society of a deep, artistic film.
I am a great admirer of Arthur Conan Doyle. On my 10th birthday, my father gave me a complete collection of essays. And it is at that moment and until today that Sherlock Holmes is my favorite hero. I have read all the stories about him several thousand times, watched almost all the film adaptations and now introduce my children to this boundless love.
After watching the film “Mr. Holmes” I suddenly realized that this is almost the only adaptation of adventures of everyone’s favorite hero, where he is really killed. And intentionally, long and tedious. But more on that later.
Unlike Holmes, I never loved Ian McKelen. I don't understand why this actor has such an army of fans. Well, he played Dumble -- oh, Gandalf. Well, he did X-Men. So what? Until 2000, he was known only to a narrow circle of film connoisseurs, who drew attention to his roles in the telenovela Rasputin, and in Richard 3. I believe that the respectable age of a person does not always mean that he is a good actor. But in my humble conviction, comrade McKelen is far from Mike Kane. I can't put them together. So, choosing McKelen to play the old Holmes was a huge mistake. I did not accept this symbiosis.
Ian McKellen killed Holmes for me in this movie. I had to keep reminding myself that it was Holmes. Because I sometimes felt like I was just watching a biographical saga about an actor who once played Gandalf. Holmes turned out to be so boring, slurred, unpleasant and tedious that watching the film turned into torture for me.
What do I tell you? I didn't know what the movie was about. There was no investigation as such. Examples of the phenomenal deductive method of Holmes (for which we love it) are also. We see how Holmes writes a book, then succumbs to some memories, and incoherent. Something muzzle, elozite. I don't know what this is all about.
I also didn’t understand why there was a storyline with a boy. And besides reading books about Holmes’ adventures, what is the boy’s knowledge of the deductive method and how does he apply it? Although this is in the description of the film. We'll just find out how wasps differ from bees. It's all their business together. True, the boy was talking about the book, but this is not noticeable against the general background of this quagmire.
Fact: It is said to be set in 1947. According to the assumptions of the "Hill Council", Sherlock was born around 1850. Calculated? That's right. Before us appears 93-year-old old man, who quickly leaves his memory, he does not understand what is happening to him and what, in fact, he is doing. Some plants, a young Japanese, an old Japanese, a strange woman, diaries, bees, wasps... What is this? Where's the criminal? Where are the clues? Where is the brilliant decision and the audacity of the surprised audience? There's none of that.
In my mind, even an aging Holmes is the crown of the human mind. This is the unwavering enemy of injustice. This is a hound bloodhound that smells game and rushes towards facts, details, leads. What do we see here?
Imagine a movie about a brilliant driver. What are you interested in seeing? The story of how he brilliantly overtook an opponent in a bend and won the World Cup or about how he is now treating gout, sees nothing and listens to the radio on a popped chair? This is the second version we saw here about Holmes.
The question is, why have we been shown this? There are a million ways to show Holmes to others other than in the books. At least ask Guy Ritchie, even Benedict Kembarbatch, and even Petrenko ours. And it can be made interesting. Given the weight of the figure of Holmes, this can be done without straining at all. And here the authors of this film tried hard to spoil such a bright image of the beloved hero.
I'll assume the answer to my question. They showed Holmes so downtrodden, strange, and infirm in his old age that he would point out that loneliness is a terrible thing. It is for this reason that they wove this “pseudo-deed” with a single woman here, and for this reason they wove a boy here, who, according to the authors, should keep the fire of interest in life among the old lonely old man who lost all meaning of life, and then common sense. That's why they showed us Watson, and that's why. That is why McKelen at the end of the film and lays the stones.
But did we want to see that? Nope. Do we need a movie like that? Nope. And no, absolutely not. Are we interested in stories about old heroes? Would you watch a movie about the old woman Alice Seleznev? About the coughing Harry Potter? About Grandpa Kibalchish? Nobody wants stories like that. You need stories with the same theme of heroes, but you can in a new way.
I may be sacrilegious, but this is reality. I want new stories (albeit invented by an unknown author) but with an old hero. With the old - not in the sense of an old man, but with that from the past - energetic, intelligent, reckless, talented, intelligent, great Sherlock Holmes.
And the author’s vision of how the old age of the most famous of the detectives proceeds, let the authors of such a film keep to themselves. Why pour it on us? And I repeat, all this is done here boring, pathetic and philistine. Why are they doing this to us? They killed Sherlock Holmes for me. Now, over and over again, as I read Doyle's notes, I'm going to mentally go back to this film and crooked in disgust.
Fans of Sherlock Holmes, beware of cheap fakes. Don't watch this movie.
I think the film may not affect a person who has never lost anyone, or naively thinks that he will live forever.
I want to celebrate a wonderful acting, wonderful! And, so rarely touched on, the topic of old age and awareness of the finiteness of life, but most importantly, in a simple sense, without the grotesque or heroic salvations of mankind.
Also beautiful camera work and the work of artists, each frame is like a postcard, a very beautiful film, restrainedly beautiful and attentive to small things.
In the film, you will see a deeply elderly person who can cause pity, but think about it, this is waiting for us all, is it worth pity? The suffering of Mr. Holmes is beautifully and subtly shown, from the fact that it is no longer the memory, not so sharp mind. How hard it is to lose everything that was the only meaning in life. And how painful it is to realize that your heart has grown up only now, only at the end of life you begin to feel and understand with your heart. And this is largely taught by a little boy who requires interesting stories, attention, training. That's why it's so good to have grandchildren, not only do they have to be taught, but they teach you.
If you are not afraid of the lack of action and intrigue, watch this film, it is beautiful!
9 out of 10
A wonderful idea of this film: to show the life of a 93-year-old man who just began to appear signs of senile dementia, and he began to forget a lot. In this state, it is difficult to remember the past, and this process, the memories, are very truthfully depicted in the film "Mr. Holmes".
Holmes, as we see in this film, is different from the "Holmes" seen in films, where "Sherlock" is almost like a machine for solving crimes. Here we are shown an ordinary person who is able to understand, pity, love people and feel his guilt before them. Remembering his last failed case, he understands that people can act absolutely unpredictable.
The picture perfectly intertwined storylines and genres. Here is the "detective" associated with a fatal mistake, where the lady is involved. And drama is Holmes' struggle with senile senility. Melodrama is the emergence of sympathy and tenderness for a ten-year-old intelligent boy.
The film has no special effects, it is not created to impress the viewer, it is in order to think.
A beautiful, completely British film, leaving in perplexity those who want to see their favorite detective superhero. Yes, Holmes is human. He has emotions, feelings, attachments and elusive memories. The magnificent acting of Ian McKellin stunningly conveys senile fading and frustration over this issue. The other characters are well written and played, each turned out to be very real and cause sympathy or rejection. The musical design perfectly complements the video, which sets the desired emotional tone, and although the overall mood of the film is rather lyrical, the overall impression of viewing remains sublime, spiritual, giving hope.
10 out of 10
Now in the Russian film distribution started the film, which was released a year ago. British film directed by Bill Condon “Mr. Holmes”, which is based on the novel by Mitch Callin “Mr. Holmes’ Bees”.
When in the filmography of the director you see such a wonderful masterpiece of cinema for all time, as Twilight. Saga. Dawn: Part 1, the belief in the success of the new picture cracks at the seams, however, as it turned out, the experience was in vain.
The film reveals a completely different Sherlock Holmes, which is much more valuable than the imagination of Mr. Moffat and the phantasmagoria of Guy Ritchie combined. There is neither the cold beauty of Cumberbatch’s intellect nor the whipping charisma of Downey Jr.’s sarcasm, but there is an old tired and sick man who is desperate to put his memory together on paper pages to hold onto the past.
The already brilliant Ian McKellen once again proves his exceptional acting talent, opening the image of Holmes from a completely new side. Finally, in this film character, there was something that he sorely lacked in the last few years - humanity.
It turns out that even at the famous address, 221B Baker Street, Holmes never lived, and never wore a hunting hat, and prefers cigars instead of pipes. All this is the fruit of the imagination of Dr. Watson and nothing more.
- My mother is saddened by your departure.
- I'm sorry I didn't bring my hat.
- You said you never wore them.
- Yeah, but that would make her happy.
- She wanted the fictional. You're real.
- I'm not sure that's true. I think I was real until John turned me into a fiction. And then, after that, I had little choice: play the role he portrayed it or become a contradiction.
Sherlock has now retired completely. He is 93 years old and seemingly bees occupy his brilliant mind much more than tricky-tangled affairs, but there is one old ghost of the past that does not leave him alone. The viewer sees an old man, whose condition is getting worse and worse every day. His entire present life is just an echo of his former glory, but his powers leave him, taking away the last thing he has left - his memory. The film is permeated with a sense of imminent death, but the hero does not panic in front of her face, but is ready to humbly meet her. All he wants is to finish his last job and pay his last debt.
In the past few years, Sherlock Holmes has become a very popular hero, but fashion has done its job with this character, stripping away the last remnants of humanity from him, turning him into a mechanized soulless “highly active sociopath”, and this almost unknown film managed to return Sherlock once lost soul, for which he is very grateful.
Why did I decide to watch the movie? The film “Mr. Holmes” was in my folder “I will watch” for a long time. I’m not a fan of the original stories, nor the wildly popular Sherlock series or Guy Ritchie’s film adaptation. But I couldn’t get past the film with a great actor Ian McKellen and a good director, and most importantly, with a new look at the old hero. The film would have been in the folder for a long time if not for the British film festival I attended. So about the movie.
Plot. The film has a nonlinear structure. In addition to the main story branch, there are two series of flashbacks. Although the storylines are tightly woven, each has its own delicate atmosphere and narrative tempo. Therefore, I will briefly describe each of them separately.
The main storyline. Mr Holmes and the Bees. Before us is an aged Sherlock Holmes, long retired. He lives outside the city and maintains an apiary. He has a housekeeper with his son. Here we are shown the struggle of Mr. Holmes for his memory, as well as the complex but very classic relationship between the three main characters.
The latest investigation of Mr. Holmes. In parallel, we are shown the last case of Holmes, after which he resigned. He restores it in memory from particles, writing it down on paper. The plot of these flashbacks is most associated with what most people think of when they mention Sherlock Holmes. But the ending finally breaks all stereotypes associated with Sherlock.
Mr. Holmes in Japan. Mr. Holmes recalls a recent trip to Japan. In an attempt to maintain his mind, on which our hero relied all his life, he goes to a distant country for the infusion of a healing tree. It would seem that the storyline is quite simple and has little effect on something, but, in the end, bringing a lot of morality, it harmoniously merges with history.
What is the film about? This is not a trivial Sherlock Holmes story. It's not even a story about him. A film about people, about their relationships, about old age and the struggle for life. It's about human irrationality. Not everything can be known by logic and reason. The film was more a powerful drama than a detective.
Atmosphere. The film has a leisurely atmosphere. It is the lack of dynamics in the first half that is the main minus of the film. The film is well shot, all the technical components are done perfectly. Visually, the film retains its style throughout the narrative. Beautiful music also perfectly harmonizes with what is happening on the screen.
Act work. The actors are amazing. McKellen works for a hundred, causing the viewer a variety of vivid emotions. Laura Linney and Milo Parker also played great.
Result. Get ready to see the extraordinary story of Sherlock. Prepare for drama. And then the film will cause you only positive emotions. I would definitely recommend it to watch.
The feature film “Mr. Holmes” is the fourth incarnation of the legendary Sherlock Holmes, a character created by the great English playwright Arthur Conan Doyle, on the big screen. The first significant adaptation was a series of Soviet films with Vasily Livanov in the title role. It was back in the twentieth century. In the twenty-first century, the British took on Holmes. The second adaptation of the book was a film by British director Guy Ritchie, known for his criminal comedies. The main role was played by Robert Downey Jr. The third film adaptation was a television series shown on the BBC, in which the main roles were played by Benedekt Cumberbetch and Martin Freeman. Of course, for all this time there were other adaptations, but it is better not to take them into account, since their quality leaves much to be desired.
The Soviet film adaptation became truly cultic and iconic. The British Queen even presented Vasily Livanov with the Order of the British Empire, a badge of honor and distinction. Afraid of being crushed by both viewers and critics, the authors of subsequent films tried to dislocate themselves as much as possible from Soviet films, bringing something new to the classical history and setting. The British series “Sherlock” was moved to the 21st century, in our days. And Guy Ritchie’s films were provided with a non-standard narrative, and also abounded in many action scenes. "Mr. Holmes" also departs from the classic story, making Sherlock an old man living out his days. An old man who retired long ago and takes care of his apiary, along with a neighbor's boy, more than murder. But the calmness of Sherlock, performed this time by old man Ian McKellen, known to a wide audience in the trilogies of Peter Jackson “Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit”, where he played the role of the wizard Gandalf, is interrupted. He can't forget a case thirty years ago that he never managed to investigate. The film is a detective that is presented from the perspective of an old man, slowly and monotonously. This is the most unusual detective in recent years, which is neither bad nor good. Watching the gorgeous Ian McKellen is certainly exciting, but only because it's Ian McKelan. Although the Sherlock age experiment was definitely a success. First of all, it affected the character of the hero. He talks about what was a long time ago, but from a different point of view, changed. With age, Sherlock became much more sentimental than in his youth. All of his friends have died, and the only person he hangs out with is a little boy next door who is very interested in the deduction that the old man is constantly teaching him. Sherlock is barely walking, but still eager for adventure, for new investigations, after a long stagnation. This is a character trait that cannot be broken by time or anything else.
While watching the film, you feel a pleasant relaxed atmosphere of a quiet cozy town, the situation in which is calm as a boa constrictor. The camera work is not striking, but is replete with many beautiful places, such as the banks of rivers, the sea, forests and fields. Even the apiary, which is probably half of the film, looks very beautiful and atmospheric.
Bottom line: Mr. Holmes is a nice and cute movie starring the great Ian McKelan. The film is interesting primarily due to the character, provided that you know the classic character of the young Sherlock Holmes. The film, like its script, is very simple. The story is well told, but without any of its own highlights. As a result, it turned out to be a good, but not too much, film worthy of one or two views.
7 out of 10
I was given a small chest containing the Watson stories, none of which I'd ever actually read. They were, as John always described them, penny dreadfuls with an elevated prose style.
Already inscribed his own name in the history of cinema with the best-selling film adaptation, the Twilight franchise and telling about Julian Assange, not a universal whistleblower, but a man desperate to find an understanding with his friend Daniel, “Fifth Power” Bill Condon turns to the classics of European literature. “Mr. Holmes” not only tells another story about detective Sherlock Holmes, but is an artistic essay about loneliness created by intelligence and the opposition of the concepts of “happiness” and “mind”.
Appeared in the pages of The Strand Magazine for 23 years before the 20th century, the hero with integral details in the form of a hunting hat and a smoking pipe, whose companion was called John Watson, and the main method of detective work was called “deduction”, became the subject of academic research, where he was considered as one of the elements of the formation of the modern culture of the detective genre, and the object of speculation of mass culture, turning Sherlock Holmes almost into a caricature character, but sometimes, however, giving a realism and insight (such as in the series “Elemeno”). The novel “A Slight Trick of the Mind”, which is the basis of the plot of “Mr. Holmes”, deals not with investigations and twists, but with a reflection on the value of a great mind and the price paid by its owner for arrogance and audacity, which are the result of excellent intelligence.
For the reader of Mitch Cullin’s original work, some of the differences between the original and Bill Condon’s film reading will be obvious, but overall the film does not make drastic changes to the original source, solely emphasizing the peak moments of drama and nothing more. Perhaps the plot of the novel did not need to use such a pop character as Holmes, but there is no denying the presence of a special effect of the fact that a lonely old man living in Sussex with a housekeeper and her young son, suffering equally from dementia and from the inability to strike up a relationship, this is the Great Detective with the exotic name Sherlock.
"A Slight Trick of the Mind" and, accordingly, "Mr. Holmes" combines straightforwardness and simplicity of literal narrative with formal complexity and subtext worthy of separate consideration. Callin, and with him, Condon, drawing a portrait of a decrepit 93-year-old man who shone in the best living rooms of London, and now has to write the name of the interlocutor on the cuff, so that it will not disappear from memory like most events of the life where the apartment number 221B shared with him Dr. Watson, suddenly comes to think about the value of art and eternity, which is subject to even death.
Yes, formally, "Mr. Holmes" includes a storyline about the investigation; yes, his status as a hero as a detective, a master of deduction is undeniable. But if you just give yourself the trouble to perceive what is happening on the screen as an allegory, and the physical, and more importantly - the intellectual extinction of the Hill, ceases to be a tragedy, and young George, who helps look after the old man for the bees, is none other than the viewer himself, or more abstractly - the conditional interlocutor of the author. Art creates being, it holds the hand of Hector from “History Lovers” Alan Bennett, and he is especially gracefully glorified by “Mr. Holmes”, using phrases like “fiction is empty”, “invisible stories”, pronounced by the fictional character Holmes, and therefore losing its negative coloring and giving irony to the work of Mitch Callin.
Screenwriter Jeffrey Hatcher, who has not yet achieved undeniable career success, although in general he succeeds in translating Callin's novel into film language, but the general script drawing of Mr. Holmes has several small, but noticeable to the attentive viewer, blots. First, Hatcher is extremely clumsy are brief, literally in a few seconds, inserts telling about the tragedy of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, adding nothing to the sum of the meaning of the film as such. Without denying the importance of the topic of the Second World War, all appeals to it are made with all obviousness solely for the sake of their existence. The second flaw is the finale of the picture not as the end of the story, but directly its embodiment on the screen. Without making spoilers, we can say that the writer did not notice the difference between the elegance of the printed word and its conversion to the 16:9 format, which requires some edits and adaptation of the literature.
But Hatcher’s markings are nothing in the light of the full view of the magnificent “Mr. Holmes”. With a solid cast and visualization, at the same time satisfying the needs of fans of the molasses-sweet perfect style of fairy tales of Disney Studios and fans of independent cinema, for which Mr. Holmes has several long and slightly unusual angles. The cast list of the film may not impress those who measure acting talent by the number of Oscars and the glossy press dedicated to the person, all others will consider it necessary to see the picture, already based on the presence in the corresponding column of the names of not only Ian McKellen, but Roger Allam and Philip Davis.
If we take as a criterion of the success of the works, one way or another devoted to Sherlock Holm, the ability of the author to identify and interpret the main features of the character of the hero, then “Mr. Holmes” is highly successful. Sherlock Holmes could not be imagined, but he is on the screen. But, to do only with the argument in the form of an understanding of the ideas of Arthur Conan-Doyle, in order to recognize the tape / novel really brings something new to the space of meanings, would not be enough. And the correspondence tandem of Callin and Codon makes the final argument in the form of not just indirect, but dominant everything else, appeal to the viewer with an appeal to comprehend the phenomenon of having a high IQ, and the obvious and incredible fact that the issues of fiction, reality and reality in the context of art are extremely debatable, and sometimes even meaningless - Sherlock Holmes is dead, long live Sherlock Holmes!
After seeing this picture, I was amazed. Amazing, in the best sense of the word. In the latest adaptations of the immortal book, although not bad in themselves, a new vision of Holmes is brought. For example, Downey Jr., he fights more than he investigates, and Cumberbatch may well convey the process of mental activity, but the personality itself turned out to be more cruel than Sherlock Conan Doyle.
But here, we see exactly the Holmes we read about. Let many details of the original book (or rather a series of stories) here are called inventions of Watson, the hero himself, very old, but absolutely as he feels while reading. Astute detective, sometimes terribly cynical and sarcastic, but in fact always wants to achieve truth and justice.
Since the film is also a detective, I can only say about the plot that it is wonderful. Everything else is just as good. Play actors, work of the cameraman, music, every minute of the work is beautiful. This is especially true of the finale, which deals with one of the most important issues in a person’s life. (this is in the whole film, but the finale draws a line)
After watching, I saw a lot of negative comments and reviews about the fact that the film is boring and is a drama, not a detective. Yes, there is no chase and shooting, the description directly says that the hero is already very old, and that is how he is in the film. What else could he have been after many years? He's not a Terminator to always be ready to fight. If in Sherolock Holmes you only like to catch criminals and study corpses, you can not waste your time. But if you, like a great detective, love reflection, the search for truth and music, this is what you need.
10 out of 10
Sir Ian McKelen, more famous as Gandalf and Magneto, complained about the Oscars for good reason. Not to nominate the man who, for the first time in Conan Doyle's 37 film adaptations and interperetations, showed us a brand new Sherlock Holmes. With partial memory loss, slightly naive, somewhere romantic. Sherlock is almost a century old, he is an old man who is haunted by guilt. Strange, because according to the stories of his departed friend Watson, Sherlock has no business that would raise questions. Only dear John was a fictionalist. Here begins the senile journey of the detective through his halls of mind. Here we find a romantic story about customer responsibility. That Sherlock didn't always succeed.
But what is history without a real cause, not just a forgotten one? Holmes took up beekeeping in a country house. Not to mention, the bee population is shrinking. In the investigation, he decides to help a boy: the son of a housekeeper Holmes. The relationship between this triangle reveals Holmes' inability to think about others. But is responsibility to the child equal to responsibility to the client?
This movie is not about an outstanding detective, but about a lonely man who decided to deal with his skeletons in the closet and repent. The film is not about talents, but about Sherlock Holmes’ weaknesses.
Started in Russia, the festival “New British cinema” in Moscow was opened by Bill Condon (director of “Twilight”, by the way) “Mr. Holmes”. The film is an adaptation of Mitch Cullin’s novel “Mr. Holmes’ Bees” and tells the viewer the story of Sherlock Holmes, who is living out his life, who already as thirty years ago escaped from Baker Street, after an unsuccessful investigation, the details of which he tries to remember, tormented by senile senility. Along the way, breeding bees and scolding Dr. Watson, who wrote a lot of artistic nonsense about Sherlock. Watson himself has long been dead. His place in the film was taken by the intelligent son of a housekeeper, trying to learn the basics of deduction and breeding bees.
The main action of the film takes place in 1947 in Sussex, where 93-year-old Sherlock Holmes lives for thirty years. His company is Mrs. Monroe’s housekeeper and her clever son Roger. A former beekeeping detective tells Roger about his last case on Baker Street that led him into exile. But it is difficult for him because of memory problems. Details of the case elude Holmes, leaving only scrappy murky memories. Once Watson covered this case in one of his stories, but deliberately concealed from the public the fiasco of his friend, once again making him a hero. Realizing the inevitability of imminent death and treating it with respectable calm, the former detective tries to understand himself, relieve himself of the burden of mistakes made and leave with a sense of completeness. That is why he undertakes to write his own story about his latest case, enlisting the support of Roger.
Recently, the viewer could see many interpretations of the famous detective, invented by Arthur Conan Doyle: crazy Robert Downey Jr. in the attraction of Guy Ritchie; rude Benedict Cumberbatch from the successful series “BBC”; calling Johnny Lee Miller from the American adaptation. But Holmes, played by Ian McKellen, is a logical continuation of the legendary canonical image. Holmes, though old, is still a gentleman, polite and able to deal with ladies. The truth has replaced the determination and energy with which Holmes once took on new affairs, came physical weakness and memory loss.
I would like to point out that the film is not a detective. The detective line here accounts for only one-third of screen time. "Mr. Holmes" is a touching drama; an elegy about old age and selfishness. Bill Condon masterfully combines three stories in the film – Holmes’ current life, his trip to Japan in search of a wonderful plant that can restore memory, and the very last case of a depressed wife and her troubled husband – into one big philosophical reflection of a hero trying to make sense of himself, his past and the legacy he left behind, in a world where he is a hero of novels and films, a personality already mythologized.
Such reflection, of course, will not be to the taste of the mass viewer. There is no action detective and exciting action. Instead, the film offers a measured narrative that appeals not to logic, but to the feelings and emotions of the viewer, where the most famous logician was deprived of his brilliant mind, but wisdom came in his place.
There is no doubt about Ian McKellen’s acting skills. He masterfully reincarnates on screen from a grumpy ascetic old man into a landmark celebrity from Baker Street. Only one eye movement or a slight movement of the hand actor skillfully expresses the emotions of the hero. No complaints and the acting of the other actors. Laura Linney (Mrs. Monroe) confirmed once again that it is not for nothing that she is the owner of the Golden Globe and the Screen Actors Guild of the United States. I was surprised by Milo Parker (Roger Monroe). Throughout the film, his insistent hero did not cause questions or condescension due to the age of the actor. Colin Starkey played the hands of Dr. John Watson.
Over. “Mr. Holmes” is the tragedy of a great man, faced on the slope of his years with banal weaknesses, who is at war with his bronze image in society, between courtship of bees and a quarrel with a maid.
After Watson's marriage and his departure from Baker Street, Sherlock Holmes takes up only one business, and then goes on a well-deserved rest. The fact is that the elderly detective begins to deny his memory, and in fact it is his main working tool. Holmes’ life centers in a country house, far from London, where he can do his favorite thing – breeding bees. Helping the old Mrs. Monroe (Laura Linney) and her son Roger (Milo Parker) is still a boy, but already experienced beekeeper. Sherlock’s last act is not to investigate a crime, but to write a precise account of his last assignment, describing which his friend Watson made mistakes, because he was no longer living on Baker Street. Stressing a weak memory, communicating with little Roger, Holmes crumbs up the story of the Kelmont family, spouses Anne (Hatty Morahan) and Thomas (Patrick Kennedy), who lost two (unborn) children.
Arthur Conan Doyle created such an interesting, bright, mysterious and multifaceted character that films, TV series, stories about him will shoot as long as cinema will exist. Bill Condon (director of the picture) undertook to reveal to the viewer the image of an elderly Holmes who retired from business, but did not lose the grip of the detective. This story is not a detective story, but a drama about the loneliness of Holmes, who lived to the age of 93, was left all alone, losing everyone who accompanied him on the path of life. Only little Roger keeps him alive.
Ian McKellen is a wonderful diverse actor. He was also lucky to touch the role of the genius Sherlock Holmes in his career. But the role was not easy for McKellen. He had to grow old, because the actor is younger than his character. Empty, sometimes absent glance, decrepit gait, slow, slurred speech - all these are the merits of the actor. He continued with dignity the list of wonderful actors who performed Holmes - Livanov, Downey Jr. and Cumberbatch. It is nice to watch Laura Linney, who played the role of Mrs. Monroe - a strict but caring nurse and mother. Good and little Milo Parker. I think the boy has a good acting future. I cannot but mention Frances de la Tour, who played the mysterious German teacher Madame Schrimer, even in the episode she is remembered.
The film is filled with the spirit of England of the mid-twentieth century. It is remembered by bright colors - fields, flower beds, flooded with bright sun - spaciousness and freshness. All this contrasts with the spirit of withering, from which it becomes a little sad, as if a whole era is passing away. Perhaps the film lacks a strong emotional component, but it has a sweet charm.
“Mr. Holmes” is a film about the end of the career of the famous detective Sherlock Holmes. His life is a fascinating journey, so is his old age. Sweet, a little sad, but at the same time bright picture. In our cinemas - with subtitles (which allows you to convey the emotions of the actors). Fans must watch!
Among the record number of adaptations dedicated to Sherlock Holmes, the film Bill Condon will now always stand alone, although it is connected with them in the most direct way. Such a wonderful, special film about the Great Detective no one has ever shot and I think, is unlikely to remove.
Of course, we should pay tribute to the literary source - Mitch Kallin's novel "Mr. Holmes's Bees", but I think the main role was played by the director's approach.
It is thanks to the latter that we have received a completely non-trivial story from the life of the outstanding Master of Deduction of all times and peoples, recognizable and at the same time unlike anything seen before. A completely unique alloy of irony, even banter, including light intersperses of black humor, giving this movie dish additional sharpness, plus an unobtrusive detective component and a not very pretentious, but strong dramatic line with elements of beautiful, not snotty and sincere, melodrama. Add to this the unparalleled British aristocracy, grace, style and taste with which all the characters are written, and you get something completely original.
Evidence of this delicate taste and directorial intuition was the invitation of Condon to the main role of Sir Ian McKellen. The latter with no less taste and skill was able to show in less than two hours with a dozen completely different Holmeses. Which of them is real, original, and which is allotted, it is difficult to understand not only the viewer, but also himself. When you are over 90 - it's time to sum up, but with the games of youth so do not want to part.
In addition, unfinished business - certainly not in his nature, that's how it goes - analyzes - compares the details of the half-solved case McKellen-Holms, trying to get to the truth through the past decades. Today’s realities make adjustments: memory is no longer the same, extracting and using those very tools (remember: “The human brain is an empty attic...” etc.) has become difficult and annoying. In addition, from the height of the years lived, life experience interferes, whispering an ironic and condescending attitude to the environment, and most importantly, to what he did before. Because of this, the aged detective is very uncomfortable, since he can no longer look at the world as before, with a cold sober mind, but he can not do anything about himself. The most vivid scene in this respect is when Holmes watches a movie about himself and himself in the cinema, while condescendingly smiling at what is happening. A brilliant illustration of the above! But irony is ironic, memory is memory, and the case must be revealed and turned in a truly Sherlockian way, albeit without the difficulties caused by age.
Ironic attitude to yourself adds to the fact that now near Holmes live people who grew up and grow on the stories of Sherlock Holmes. Through their attitude, perception of the Great Investigator and all that is associated with him, he can also reevaluate and rethink, no longer taking everything too seriously. All these contradictory and in many ways unusual for his character experiences Sir Ian McKellen plays as always inimitable and convincing.
But for me, the main value in the film was the gradually coming to Holmes understanding that people are more than just X and Y in a given puzzle that he needs to solve (as he mostly perceived them), and living creatures with their own feelings, problems, joys and sorrows. Having a lot of free time and more densely communicating with others, Sherlock Holmes makes one stunning discovery after another about people. And the almost happened tragedy with one of the people close to him, it seems, finally turns his mind, and people cease to be for him abstract pieces in a chess game that must be won at any cost, paying no attention to the victims. These scenes with Holmes in the film shocked to the core and much more than already refusing to work and seemed hitherto impeccable memory. Sherlock becomes a human being, not a detective. Better late than never.
Needless to say, Sir Ian McKellen added to his creative biography a bright dramatic, very glorious and strong role. For me, she will always be special and loved. I hope so for Sir Ian, too.
However, not all the other actors failed. Young Milo Parker coped perfectly with the role of Roger, whose childhood enthusiasm with his desire to solve mysteries and riddles simply could not but be rewarded with the appearance and neighborhood of the Great Detective.
Laura Linney also made a good impression as Mrs. Monroe. A clearly felt and played typical English character of a woman from the province.
It was nice to see Hiroyuki Sanada on the screen as Tamika.
Very good and Hattie Morahan, who played Anne Kelmot.
In general, Condon released a rather complex, multifaceted film - a real mixture of genres from philosophy to detective - and presented a very atypical Sherlock Holmes (and his age - in general, here is the tenth case). But from his viewing remains a pleasant aftertaste as after a good aged wine.
8 out of 10
Honestly, I adore Sherlock Holmes, I have read almost all the works about this detective and therefore every film adaptation I try to watch. The last thing I liked was Guy Ritchie's version, so, don't bomb, it's just that his Sherlock image is cut off with the way I imagined him in my head. The best film adaptation I rightly consider the series 2010. Benedict Cumberbatch is the perfect Sherlock Holmes, no matter what anyone says.
As for Mr. Holmes, I came across it quite by accident and from the very first trailer it fascinated me. “Mr. Holmes” turned out to be the most heartfelt and touching film about Sherlock. Ian McKellen (our beloved Gandalf) played amazingly, and after all, his role was not easy, he needed to show a frail, weak, lonely old man trying to correct all his mistakes in his later years. In general, a very strong picture with an unsurpassed style (very close to the original books of Conan Doyle), with the amazing acting of Ian McCullen (really, the man deserves an Oscar) and also
with a great soundtrack. Look at it all!
Disappointed. Following the stereotypes, waiting for detective drama. Got a life-affirming tedious and rather dull drama, as if with a detective line. The main character digs into memories, trying to find peace of mind. Such are personal memoirs that can be interesting only to loved ones. Of course, the personality of the famous master of deduction is close to many fans of the works of Conan Doyle, but the authors persistently say that the viewer is not the same Holmes. It's good, it's nice. The actors diligently, but somewhat monotonous, work out images, exploiting successful moments, which eventually becomes boring. The story itself, as I said, may not be bad, but too stretched and murky. The finale, though not sweet, is still too rosy. That's all. Go into the details and examine more closely the good and not so sides, not interesting. The film remained in the memories, but did not cause feelings. Except for pity for the main character.
Mr. Holmes has been very interested in me since the announcements about the support of actors. I was already an avid Sherlockomaniac (and it’s not just a popular British TV series!) and really wanted to see him in the movies. I was saddened by the news of the postponement of the premiere date. I finally got to see him the other day. I am in a hurry to share my fresh impressions.
Once famous detective Sherlock Holmes is now retired, lives in a small village by the sea and is engaged in breeding bees. His company consists of a housekeeper Miss Munro and her young but very intelligent son Roger. He recognizes the once brilliant detective with an incredible method of deduction and asks him to teach his techniques. Mr. Holmes gradually tells the boy about his methods, about some cases, dispels some popular myths. Most of all, Roger wants to know about the latest case of Mr. Holmes, which he cannot tell because of memory loss.
The very idea of the plot seemed to me very interesting and serious - to tell about the life of the world-famous detective in old age. And I think this is the most logical way to go. That Sherlock Holmes, who solved many complicated cases, played the violin, denied many fundamental knowledge of evolution, and even occasionally used drugs, would be left alone at the end of his life. He was so brilliant and lonely. That all his family, friends and comrades either died or went on living. And the fact that Mr. Holmes is slowly losing his memory is the most ruthlessly logical incident that sooner or later was going to happen in his life. As well as the fact that he will continue to think about some unfinished business. And watching it was very fascinating - how a weak old man, wading through the thickets of oblivion to the truth, becomes the detective from 221B Baker Street!
Of course, most of all I wanted to look at the actors: the hero who was brilliantly played by Sir Ian McKellen, I can only call Mr. Holmes! For his sake, it is worth seeing the film: Sir Ian plays two different characters - the famous detective-consultant, in an elegant coat and hat (he did not wear a hat with deer!), preferring cigars to a pipe, and an elderly lover of bees who became very friends with a young explorer of the world and, perhaps, a future detective Roger. And it was very pleasant to watch in the frame of the actors familiar to us on film and television: Laura Linney, Hiroyuki Sanada, Patrick Kennedy, Roger Allam, Philip Davis, Francis de la Tour and John Sessions.
Bill Condon’s movie completely met my expectations and I remained satisfied with the audience. I highly recommend all fans of the acting of Ian McKellen, as well as fans of stories about the famous detective Shercol Holmes!
8 out of 10
Someone will call this film a domesticated version of the life of a famous detective, someone will say that "Mr. Holmes" is a harmonious bouquet of several genres woven around one person. But all of them are likely to agree in one opinion – the film directed by Bill Condon can be watched by absolutely everyone.
And this is actually the picture and wins - it has delicate details necessary for an interesting detective, there is a drama of human relationships, and also in the film there are some questions of existence in which the actions of the past are reinterpreted at the twilight of human life.
The film may be sentimental before the murder, but it is by no means disgusting. Sherlock Hills Guy Ritchie is like Jesus vs. zombies, from which the eminent British director took that this literary hero should be equated with the rank of Captain America and others - a rhetorical question, but Bill Condon's Hills is alive and unique in its own way.
Speaking of uniqueness, it is worth noting the excellent performance of Ian McKellen, usually such roles for veteran actors end with a couple of good nominations from various guilds. Although it is possible to appear in the top five "Globe" or "Oscar". As a result, a high-quality and positive film that can still bump into other films in the awards season.
7 out of 10
Do not leave this life without a sense of completeness. (c)
An original story based on the novels of Conan Doyle directed by Bill Condon, winner of the Academy Award (1999) for the best adapted script for the film “Gods and Monsters”.
Ian McKellen also starred in Gods and Monsters, for which he was nominated for an Oscar for Best Actor. The script is based on Mitch Cullin's 2005 novel Mr. Holmes's Bees. The painting was to be called like the original novel. The film premiered at the 65th Berlin International Film Festival in February 2015.
Sherlock Holmes is 93. Dr. Watson died, as did Brother Mycroft. The legendary detective retired, he became an old man on the verge of insanity. He lives in Sussex with housekeeper Mrs Munro and her son Roger and breeds bees. And only one unfinished business 50 years ago - the most recent case in which he failed and punished himself for it by going to live in a remote village - still haunts him.
More than seventy actors played Sherlock Holmes - from Vasily Livanov to Benedict Cumberbatch. So many stories have already been told that it is hard to imagine what new can be told about the great detective. You can!
Have you ever wondered what Sherlock Holmes looks like in retirement? What is he, without his sharp mind, losing his skill, with a rapidly deteriorating memory? What was his last case? Did he always do the right thing? A new unexplored angle on a long-familiar history.
The master of narrative cinema made an unmistakable choice, inviting Ian “Gandalf” McKellen to the lead role. Only a lazy man will refuse to watch the most decorated English actor of our time portray a brilliant detective. Awesome acting! It is worth noting that Ian McKellen plays Sherlock in three time intervals, then he is a stately elegant man, then a decrepit grumpy old man. It's worth a look!
The film will appeal to all fans of the immortal character Conan Doyle, as well as connoisseurs of non-trivial views on the beaten stories.
Nice and good sentimental movie. A popular comic book character, a symbol of rationality and some even autisticity, is shown in old age, when physical infirmity inevitably turns to moral aspects. " Darkness of low truths, according to the creators, much higher elevating deception, as in a letter to the Japanese heir. The plot of the film is very simple and traditional, shot in fact for three pennies and I will not say that venerable McKellen had to try hard. Its tasks - to cause a purely positive emotion - the picture solves one hundred percent, but it is easily forgotten after viewing.
I dream that one of the art directors will pay attention to Chabon’s Final Solution with the same dying Holmes, a parrot and a less sentimental Jewish boy. How much more cruel story, leaving opportunities for nuanced theme of celebrity in old age.
6 out of 10
It seemed that in a series of endless sequels, prequels and remakes of Sherlock Holmes, there was no niche left that the favorite hero had not yet filled. But no! Bill Condon found a piece of biography, still a gray spot, and made a story about the sunset of the famous detective. Now the rest of the directors who want to once again exploit a completely worn image, apparently, will have to turn to the childhood of the detective and tell about how a boy in pants guessed what the math teacher ate at lunch, analyzing crumbs on the table.
The project with a mainstream message was intended rather for lovers of detectives, and instead turned out to be an ordinary drama in a glossy Hollywood shell with typical pastoral landscapes, pseudohistorical scenery, the favorite Cape of all Englishmen Beachy Head and Ian McKellen in the title role. In general, the good performance of the latter contradicted the exaggerated characters. There is an almost fabulous division into good and bad, a vivid example of which can be the image of Mrs. Munro. Add to this a striking contrast, unexpectedly manifested in the climax part, when the makeup artists clearly overdid Roger’s makeup. But the film was saved by a dynamic, unpredictable plot, where memories, guesses about the past, pressing problems of the main characters, incidents were mixed. The detective note, it must be admitted, is still present and adds new shades to what is happening, although it is not the leading topic.
Interestingly, a common feature of all films that take place within the framework of the festival “New British cinema” (including “Mr. Holmes”) was the leitmotif of loneliness. Speaking about the fate of an old man without family and friends, who appears as the main character, the feeling of loneliness arises quite predictably. But interestingly, the whole message of the film festival was quite optimistic. The proof of this in this case can be considered the fact that the hero of McKellen has found a successor, who may even continue his work in the new era. The film will disappoint fans of the Holmes saga and fans of strong drama, but if you expect something in between, then it will certainly appeal to you.
I can’t remember the last time I left the cinema with a sense of complete satisfaction and trepidation in my chest, so this picture struck me with its immediacy and at the same time intricate curls of the plot, assembled into a single plot. “Mr. Holmes” is a vivid example of an interactive movie, when a full-fledged puzzle of what is seen is formed only after the final credits, and, thanks to this effect, the viewer with greater emotional return is involved in a kind of game. Indeed, the film came out extremely emotional, picking up a whirlpool of ecstasy, despite all the instructions of good old Holmes to “turn off” feelings, trying to think rationally.
Fantastic “will” of Bill Condon (“Fifth power”, “Twilight”. Saga. Dawn, Gods and Monsters, as if truly shrouded in some magical haze, from the first frame disposing of the viewer, so subtle, sensual and completely exclusive was the film. First, this is not another interpretation of the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, but a film adaptation of the novel by Mitch Callin “Mr. Holmes’ Bees”. Secondly, Mr. Holmes appears before us in a completely new performance that will pleasantly surprise the viewer. The director tried to fame, supplementing the detective tape with elements of drama that can melt the ice of even the coldest heart of the viewer.
The picture unfolds in 1947, when Sherlock Holmes is already an echo of memories in the same hunting hat and with a smoking pipe in his mouth, in fact preferring cylinders and cigars. In fact, it is: most screen time is occupied by memories. Three detective stories are beautifully woven into the plot: the “real” tells the story of the quiet life of a retired 93-year-old detective who breeds bees and settles in the sleepy village of Sussex with a maid Mrs. - no longer Hudson! Munro and her only son, Roger. At one time, the master detective was young and full of strength, which we tirelessly remind energetic heroes of Benedict Cumberbatch or Robert Downey Jr., but now old age overtook the great detective, replacing charisma and grace with rheumatism and memory loss. However, he still lives with the motto “Logic above everything”, his inherent rationality and deduction, noting everything down to the smallest detail, down to the number of bites received from bees – 7,186 times. Being retired, the latter still fills his mind, resting in the palaces marked "unsolved." The second theme of the “past” is devoted to this: the London history of thirty years ago, which skillfully absorbed flashbacks in the form of a trip to postwar Japan with a lot of its own secrets. During Holmes’ absence, the curious Roger cannot resist temptation and penetrates his office, discovering the manuscript of the book, the writing of which was necessary for the detective to refute the fictional story of Watson, whose fantasy concealed the loss of the great detective from the world. The story of the woman, whose plot I will leave out, so as not to reveal all the cards of the director’s plan, helps the viewer to look at Sherlock Holmes from the reverse side of the medal. The case of a woman with a glass harmonica becomes a turning point both in her career and in her views on life: what has always been considered unacceptable in the career of a detective breaks out like platinum, exposing the world of sentiment and acutely pricking emotions. He fully feels empty and emotionally detached from people, realizing how lonely he is in this world. Therefore, intelligent Roger becomes an outlet in the senile seclusion of Holmes, the only one who cares about the gray-haired detective. Now callousness before the Englishman become known firsthand such concepts as care, fear for the neighbor, and most importantly - love and affection. Is this not a farewell gift for a man by whose age all such feelings should have dried up, let alone blossomed for the first time inside?
Investigating a string of cases, we observe such a multifaceted Ian McKellen, perfectly accustomed to the image of Holmes. According to different stories, the look of the detective changes on the screen: then before us is an infirm old man with teary eyes and huge hollows of bruises under them, a dry face, shaking in a voice like a living dead man, then he is already transformed into an elegant, stately man in a velvet cylinder, with eyes burning from a new business, light gait and graceful movements. And it's amazing how unrecognisably an actor can reincarnate, as if some of the footage was filmed in his youth. If the actor himself was seventy-five years old at the time of filming, then Holmes in the “present” – ninety-three, and in the “past” – thirty years less; to play this already causes a feeling of admiration, because it is not makeup and all sorts of effects that are important, but the acting itself. In the image of Sir McKellen, echoes of past roles are no longer visible - the wizard Gandalf or the powerful Magneto - he isolates himself and opens the most powerful sides of honed skill, exposing himself in all its glory. The performance of the role seems excellent, it is possible that a look at a kind of metamorphosis of the British actor will be much more interesting plot path of the film.
The fascinating camera work of Tobias E. Schliesser, combined with the sounds of piano and violins whirling in a fast waltz under the direction of composer Carter Burwell, form a gentle picture that so harmoniously complements the series of events. The buzzing of bees, the fluttering of wheat ears in the wind, the dust from old books, the warm home atmosphere of a lonely house, the waves flowing smoothly to the shore in contrast to the destroyed buildings and ash, old wounds and a rubbed robe create three completely different atmospheres of the film. The scenery and costumes correspond to the place and time, without causing disharmony and dissonance, collectively reflecting the picture of the twentieth century.
Only a self-respecting fan of immortal creativity about the great detective will refuse the opportunity to see the great British actor as an aged Sherlock Holmes. Viewers are also waiting for a nice bonus from Bill Condon – a reference to the legendary film Barry Levinson “Young Sherlock Holmes” with Nicholas Rowe in the title role. It is definitely worth watching: the film lives up to all expectations, even if at the very beginning it can smell boredom, which is unlikely. Infinitely kind, touching and not lost a lively spark, the film hits the heart, rolling a lonely tear down the cheek amid a series of sincere smiles. Leaving such a broad legacy, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle would be much to be proud of.