Last fall, news broke of not one, but two Sherlock Holmes movies in the works. While there hasn't been any further buzz about the project Judd Apatow is producing, Guy Ritchie has charged forward with his take on the fictional detective. Based on this new trailer, I'd say it's a pretty, um, unique take. And from some of the message boards I've been trolling, it's clear that many fans of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's stories are thoroughly freaked out about it.
At first I had no idea why it looked like Holmes had entered himself into some sort of late nineteenth century fight club. Then I read that in The Sign of the Four, the second of four novels Doyle wrote about Inspector Holmes, the good detective was described as a fist-fighting champion. Other stories noted his training in a bizarre form of martial art called Bartitsu. Since this is a Guy Ritchie film we're talking about, no one should really be that surprised to see these lesser-known skills of Holmes played up in the trailer.
But what about that supernatural vibe present throughout the clips? I'm not familiar enough with Doyle's stories to know if Ritchie (who co-wrote the screenplay alongside Anthony Peckham and Michael Johnson) is focusing in on a plot that was used before, but regardless, I certainly didn't expect Watson and Holmes to be battling an occult leader. (Though I couldn't be happier that said Satanist lord comes in the form of the wonderful Mark Strong.)
I like that this trailer surprised me, but am curious to hear from anyone out there who is an expert on all things Sherlock Holmes. Are you intrigued or distraught by what you've seen of Ritchie's vision so far?
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Posted on May 19, 2009 at 6:34 pm
I’m a sort of halfway-Holmes fan–I know to the devoted that’s like saying you’re “sorta pregnant.” But I’ve been reading the stories here and there for the past few years and love them a lot. But I can’t recall ever having really watched a Holmes MOVIE (other than Young Sherlock Holmes as a youth). I have friends who are very dedicated Conan-Doyle-ites who have their list of favorite on-screen (and made-for-TV) productions, but I’m clueless, so to speak.
All that said, I do like many of Guy Ritchie’s films, I adore Robert Downey (like all of us), and this looks absolutely wonderful fun. No, it’s not the least bit faithful to the tone and tenor of the stories, but as there have been dozens and dozens of Holmes film adaptations, I think the character can survive this.
And of course, there’s always the argument (sure to be hauled out by Ritchie in interviews next winter) that maybe some folks will see his jacked-up, sexy, kick-butt version and be inspired to check out Conan-Doyle’s stories themselves. And then probably come away disappointed that Mr. Holmes never ends up naked, chained to a bed.
We all have our geekdoms we are protective of (ie Star Wars or LOTR), so I completely respect the dedicated Holmes fans’ freak-out–this very clearly is NOT your great-grandfather’s Holmes. But then I’m not my great-grandfather (I’m about 75% less Amish, for starters), so Ritchie’s slam-bang trailer pushed all my right buttons.
Posted on May 20, 2009 at 3:34 am
Most certainly not and expert. I am however very intrigued by this trailer, and the actors they’ve got in the film :]]
Posted on May 20, 2009 at 11:24 am
Interesting you would bring this up, as today (5/20) on NPR Diane Rehm discussed the famous detective; here is their main site addy (where you can look up this show specifically, or others) http://wamu.org/programs/dr/
and, here is the title and background for the 11am show from today:
Readers’ Review: “The Hound of the Baskervilles” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
To mark the anniversary of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s birth 150 years ago this month, Diane and her guests discuss the most famous of his mysteries. It’s the tale of an ancient curse and a savage ghostly beast.
Guests
Carla Coupe, mystery writer
Daniel Stashower, author of the Conan Doyle biography “Teller of Tales” and co-editor of “Arthur Conan Doyle: A Life in Letters.” His most recent book is “The Beautiful Cigar Girl: Mary Rogers, Edgar Allan Poe and the Invention of Murder.” A two-time Edgar award winner, he is the author of five mystery novels.
Peter Blau, geologist, journalist, and secretary of The Baker Street Irregulars
Posted on May 21, 2009 at 9:13 am
Just a thought, but Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was fascinated by spiritualism especially later on his life. Maybe Guy Ritchie is pulling from some of Doyle’s actual beliefs to create this story rather than just from the Holmes stories.
Personally I rather liked it. No it doesn’t feel like the traditional Basil Rathbone BBC version of Holmes (which I adore) but it doesn’t seem completely out of the range of possibility either. I’m rather looking forward to it!
Posted on May 26, 2009 at 3:03 pm
I do not think this is a fan film by any means. It seems like more of an adaptation of a comic that was very loosely based on the fantasies of someone who had heard of Sherlock Holmes and liked the idea of him.
Basically, it seems like what William Goldman claimed to have done with the Princess Bride: a “Good Parts” version of a stuffy older work. (Which I just learned was a fictitious context written for the book version of The Princess Bride.)
Posted on May 26, 2009 at 3:37 pm
Yes, I’m a Holmes fan. Yes, I’ve read everything Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote on the subject of Sherlock. Yes, I’ve been known to peruse various books authored by others (only when in desperate need of a new story). Yes, I was excited by the fact that Robert Downey Jr. was going to be playing Holmes in a movie – as I have great respect for his acting abilities.
That being said, I was NOT happy when I saw the trailer for this! Ritchie seems to have sensationalized everything I love about Holmes, taking the man himself (as I’ve come to know him) almost completely out of the equation! Don’t even get me started on Irene Adler! I still hold out hope that RDJ will be able to salvage something from the script, but I’ll admit, it’s a fleeting hope at best. I’ll likely give this movie a shot, but only if I can convince myself this ISN’T a Sherlock Holmes movie! If I want that, I’ll go watch Jeremy Brett.
Posted on November 17, 2009 at 1:39 pm
I can’t wait to see this movie! Thanks Pattymelt!
Posted on November 23, 2009 at 5:55 pm
This is not Sherlock Holmes. This is an action movie based upon Sherlock Holmes. I suspect it will follow in the same vain as the Van Helsing movie did. Apparently, audiences today get bored too easily, so everything has to be spiced up with action, sex, explosions, karate fights, and bad one liners.