Twilight Detective

Mr. Holmes

I have always wondered what would happen to fictional heroes when they got old. I am not really sure why I have pondered such a notion. I know that I am not the only person that has questioned this because in 1986 Frank Miller wrote and illustrated a story about an aging Batman and what his world would look like if he was retired in the graphic novel The Dark Knight Returns. Well this year BBC Films gives a glimpse into the life of another detective that has long since retired in Mr. Holmes.

After retiring for 35 years, famous detective Sherlock Holmes (Ian McKellen X-Men: Days of Future Past) has lived a life of solitude. Accompanied only by his housekeeper Mrs. Munro (Laura Linney The Fifth Estate) and her young son Roger (Milo Parker Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children), the elderly detective wants to relieve some of the regret he has carried for so many years. Holmes feels the desire to set the record straight about his last case. The problem is that the elderly detective can’t seem to remember certain things about the case. With help from the small boy, Holmes starts to piece together the memories of the case that left him with no choice but to retire.

Mr. Holmes is a wonderful little movie that achieves so much with so little. Unlike a lot of Sir Doyle’s stories, there isn’t a lot of complication or misleads here in this film, but just a view of what it would be like if one of the greatest literary minds seemed to start losing his most valuable asset. With beautiful costumes and delightful performances, Mr. Holmes embodies what I have been praising from a few movies this year…simplicity. The story isn’t overly complicated and besides the 1947 wardrobe there isn’t too much to the visuals to take way from said story.

McKellen has turned out another brilliant performance as the legendary crime solver. McKellen achieves the harsh logical personality Holmes is known for, yet he also exudes a softness of a man at the end of his life. Linney also gives a great turn as the reluctant housekeeper. The loathing that Linney shows toward Holmes is palpable and her little facial tics makes watching Linney so enjoyable. As for Parker, well I can’t wait to see what else he is in. Parker is the perfect mirror into Holmes past, as he showcases some of the same characteristics of Holmes.

The best thing that director Bill Condon (The Fifth Estate) is able to achieve with this film is the pacing. While not doing a bad job with any other part of this film, Condon is able to keep this film a very leisurely pace that is just right. There isn’t much to Mr. Holmes and so I was worried that the film would drag, but thankfully Condon is able to change up the film so that we aren’t focused on one aspect of the story for too long.  Condon also does a magnificent job getting the best out of his youngest star. McKellen and Linney are seasoned and award-winning veterans, but to get Parker to display some of the maturity as Holmes was awesome.

Hardly any visual effects and a simplistic story, Mr. Holmes isn’t your typical summer film. However it achieves more than most films out during it’s run at the theatres. If you are looking to just sit, relax, and just enjoy a movie than Mr. Holmes will definitely not disappoint.

The Verdict: Worth Your Time.