See it at the Movies

MR. HOLMES

with Joyce & Don Fowler
Posted 7/23/15

* * * *

(Fascinating tale of a senior Sherlock Holmes)

Heaven knows we’ve seen enough movies and TV shows about Sherlock Holmes. From Basil Rathbone to Robert Downey Jr., he has been …

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See it at the Movies

MR. HOLMES

Posted

* * * *

(Fascinating tale of a senior Sherlock Holmes)

Heaven knows we’ve seen enough movies and TV shows about Sherlock Holmes. From Basil Rathbone to Robert Downey Jr., he has been portrayed in a variety of ways.

Now we have the terrific senior actor Ian McKellen, giving us a look at the master detective in the twilight of his years.

Holmes, sans Watson, is having memory problems, but his deductive powers are still sharp. He has retreated to his country house, where he is cared for by his housekeeper (the always good Laura Linney) and her young son, who has taken a liking to his hero.

There are both poignant and humorous scenes as Holmes recalls the “fiction” that Watson has written about him. He never wore that silly, pointed hat and preferred cigars over that curved pipe.

Holmes is haunted by an old unsolved case involving a man who hired him to follow his wife. We fill in the blanks of the story and his lapsed memory through a series of flashbacks.

McKellen, in his mid-70s, plays Holmes both in his 60s and in his 90s, and he is so convincing at both. His relationships with his housekeeper and her son are precious, as he teaches the boy about his beekeeping hobby, which proves to be more about life than bees. This is one charming little movie.

Rated PG-13, to be enjoyed most by a mature audience.

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