Comedic takes on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson are as renown as the serious adaptations and include the popular likes of "Without a Clue"; "The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes"; "The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother" and the animated, "Sherlock Gnomes". (Guy Ritchie's Holmes pictures and Joshua Kennedy's recent "The Return of Sherlock Holmes" also pay homage to the popular, funny-bone angle with fruitful nods.) It should come as no surprise, therefore, that another tongue-in-cheek variation would arrive, featuring a current, comedy duo.
In the case of "Holmes & Watson", written and directed by Etan "Men in Black III" Cohen, Will Ferrell plays the legendary detective and John C. Reilly his respectful, investigative partner. Keeping with tradition, they're up against old rival, Professor Moriarty (or is he, in fact, Reginald Musgrave?), portrayed by steely Ralph Fiennes.
The film's premise: a Moriarty note links to a murder at Buckingham Palace and challenges the duo to solve the crime within four days or else the Queen will perish.
What ensues brims of inside Brooks-ian jokes, song/dance and Benny Hill salaciousness (with alas, one polarizing, political reference--why, oh why?), all woven into a polished, Victorian backdrop. Holmes' celebrated traits and habits are turned into gags throughout, including his deducing prowess and mastery of disguise, much of it presented with wide-eyed wonderment.
The supporting cast does a devilish job in promoting the buoyant atmosphere and slapstick segments. There's Kelly "Brave" Macdonald's Mrs. Hudson; Hugh Laurie's Mycroft Holmes; Rob Brydon's Inspector Lestrade; Steve Coogan's "One-Armed Man"; Rebecca "Iron Man 3" Hall's Dr. Grace Hart; and Lauren "Jurassic World" Lapkus's Millie, to whom Holmes directs peculiar, though jubilant affection. Pam Ferris is most effective as Queen Victoria, whose dry responses brings out the hilarious best in her "protectors".
"Holmes & Watson" is, above all, a tour de force for Ferrell and Reilly, who give a "Step Brothers" snappiness to Cohen's campy indulgence. The formula rises to the occasion, much in the Johnny English vein: a loving homage that never degrades its subject matter, opting instead to cull respectful fun from it.
For those who fancy Holmes/Watson mysteries (no matter the tone) or simply crave bawdy, old-fashioned entertainment, the conclusion is elementary: There's no way to come away from "Holmes & Watson" without feeling good.
WOW! The reviews are in and talk about supreme hatred being directed at a silly comedy. Don't get me wrong: I wasn't keen on at least one of the film's absurd, political jabs. The movie lost a significant point for that. All the same, the damn thing is intended as a carefree homage for Holmes fans (with plenty of references regarding Doyle's rich mythology), not some form of highbrow art. For most of its stretch, it was precisely what it promised to be. What the hell were people expecting?
ReplyDeleteA wee feature, featuring two of the above's stars (looks like a swell bio): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKb0_4_KTzc.
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