Holmes 2009 movie

[elaby]

I've seen the new Holmes movie twice now XD And I wrote this earlier this week, but I keep forgetting to post it!


First of all: I. LOVE. THIS. FREAKING. MOVIE. XD XD XD Unashamed, unabashed love. It was exciting and amusing and Victorian and the characters were for the most part true to themselves, and I had a hell of a wonderful time watching it. Twice :3

There isn't much that I can say I really disliked about it... as caitirin pointed out to me, Holmes would have never gone for Irene first when the wharf exploded, but I consider that made up for by his panic when he regained consciousness, and how the adorable constable knew without even having to ask that he was panicking about Watson. And I didn't hear the "they've been flirting like this for hours" line! Considering that Irene was in the boat when she said it, I suspect it might've been in regards to Watson and the sailor guy, though, not Watson and Holmes, so it's just as well XD I was also ALMOST very angry about what I thought they'd done to Lestrade (le-STRAHD *cracks up*) with that whole "being a member of the secret order" thing, but that was quickly fixed once we found out it was all a ruse. A ruse in which he got to suckerpunch Holmes, which I'm sure he found VERY therapeutic XD

Now then, onto the squee.

I knew Jude Law was going to be a wonderful Watson. Everyone whose opinions I've read have agreed on that point, and was he ever. He limped, for heaven's sake. Consistently. He mentioned India, and he was a consummate doctor and soldier and friend and gentleman, everything he should be. And holy mother did he ever look good in a frock coat *swoons* The only thing they didn't really emphasize was Watson as writer, but they did mention his stories and case-notes a handful of times. It was so delightful to see a Watson who allowed himself to get angry with Holmes, to yell at him and scold him as he often deserves, while at the same time very obviously caring for him. He couldn't tear himself away from either Holmes or the cases, and they made it clear that it was both he would miss, not just one or the other. Jude Law also struck a great balance between wanting to settle down with Mary and not wanting to hurt Holmes, and also understanding that no matter what he said, if he left, hurting Holmes was inevitable. All of their awkward silences, and the way they communicated with only looks, was very strongly Holmes-and-Watson to me.

I was less certain about how Robert Downey, Jr. was going to play Holmes, and even though I do love him and I like watching him act no matter what he's in, I didn't really expect him to play Holmes the way I think Holmes is. And he did definitely have a different look: much scruffier, more unkempt, a Holmes several weeks into a period of depression. But it worked, because he so perfectly portrayed a lot of the mannerisms and the expressions that I feel are integral to Holmes. Foremost of these is what I've called, in Jeremy Brett's case, the "angsty inward stare." Jeremy Brett is a master at this, and so is RDJ. There were so many points in the movie where Holmes's eyes would unfocus and it was obvious that his less logical and detached side was trying to get the better of him, that things were going on inside his head that he wasn't sure how to deal with. That was kind of the essence of RDJ's Holmes, and it filled me with fangirl squee of the highest caliber: his Holmes bounced between being brilliantly, energetically in his element and being emotionally incapable, uncertain, and awkward with the people he actually cared about. The way they portrayed how his mind works - the overlapping voiceovers showing how fast his brain runs and how without anything to work on, he shudders to a halt like an engine out of gasoline - was right in line with how I think his mental processes work. They definitely explored how Holmes's genius kind of screws him over in the other areas of his life, and the Granada Holmes is the only other one I've seen that's really addressed that too. His physical mannerisms weren't flawlessly Holmes all the time, but there were definite moments of lightning recognition where I thought "Holy cow, that is SUCH a Holmes gesture!" When he was studying Mary at dinner, for example, and whenever he steepled his hands to listen to someone, and even when he was boxing.

And, of course, I was delighted beyond the telling with the way he reacted to Watson's impending marriage. It was so very Holmes-like to try to trick/goad/cajole Watson into coming with him on various investigations instead of just asking, and all of his psychological tricks - using "we" and "our" all the time even when Watson pointed out he'd be leaving soon - were, I felt, very in-character. I loved the fact that they didn't feel the need to spell out why Holmes didn't want Watson to go, too. Neither of them said anything about Holmes's reasons, and that's what made it so realistic: they wouldn't have. Watson would understand without words, because he does that, and Holmes would manifest his upset in various ways which he would never face up to out loud. They didn't have any open discussions about why Holmes was trying to sabotage Watson's engagement because they didn't need to, and they wouldn't have talked about it anyway. Everything that needed to be portrayed was portrayed obliquely, through actions and glances and Holmes's stricken expressions every time Watson mentioned leaving. RDJ did them SO well, and if for nothing else, I'll love his Holmes for that.

I think my favorite scene in the movie (which was full of awesome scenes, so I'm really hard-pressed to pick one) was after Watson recovered from the explosion, and they were both sitting on the bed in the room where Holmes had been experimenting with Blackwood's rituals. Holmes says something like "I'm so very glad to see that you're still with us," all haltingly and quietly, and they both look in different directions and clear their throats, and it was the most adorable thing I think I've ever seen XD _melisande_ concurs, and that means it must be good.

The plot was, as in almost all things Sherlock Holmes, completely secondary in my mind to the characters. I did think it was interesting, though, and I liked very much how they held off explaining things and had Holmes narrate his chain of logic the way he does in the books. Blackwood wasn't particularly scary or sinister or anything, but I frankly wasn't paying much attention to him XD I loved the fight scenes, and holy cow, the music during them! I never would have thought to score fight scenes using fiddles and harpsichords, but it worked SO well. I want to own the soundtrack right now.

The girls! I almost forgot about the girls. I have mixed feelings about Irene Adler being a thief... I like her better the way she is in SCAN, a famous and well-respected opera singer, even if she is eccentric and too independent for her time. She was useful in several places in the movie, and smart and sexy, but she was still being used and manipulated and had to be rescued. Plus, she was all in love with Holmes, which was - well - silly. I can, however, imagine RJD's Holmes kissing her forehead like he did at the end, because it was sort of friendly and brotherly. Canon Holmes would never, of course XD But RDJ's Holmes's constant O_O;; at her, his distinct awkwardness with her affection, and the way he averted his eyes from her bare shoulders, were all amusing and in-character. It was pretty obvious (as caitirin pointed out to me) that he was only fascinated by her intellectually, not romantically. The fact that they wrote Irene as being in love with him was just as bad as if they'd made it seem like he was in love with her.

I did rather like Mary, though. She was strong and observant, she stood up for herself, and she recognized Holmes in disguise. She also believed that Holmes loved Watson as much as she did, and if anyone was to be given a line from 3GAR, I think she deserved it: "He would say it was worth the wound," she said of Watson, trying to comfort Holmes after the explosion, even though he'd treated her callously before. That's a very Mary sort of thing to do in my mind.

Poor Mrs. Hudson wasn't in it very much, but I liked what we saw of her. She was appropriately long-suffering and teased Holmes just the right amount.

I'm afraid Lestrade didn't grow on me. He wasn't terribly charismatic, but he was appropriately picked on without being portrayed as stupid, which is something anyway. I liked the red-moustached constable - Clarky? - better. caitirin kept going "That's MacPherson!" the whole time XD You can see why I love her.

Comments

[ajs-bunny.livejournal.com]

I listened to the soundtrack the instant it was available online (about three days before the movie was released), and I loved it right from the start. It wasn't exactly what you would expect a Sherlock Holmes soundtrack to sound like. Hans Zimmer pulled out the quirky aspects of the actor's interplay, which added to the steampunk ambiance of the film.

That constable was so with a crush on Holmes, don't you think? If Holmes wasn't desperately in love with Watson, perhaps he could have stood a chance (he as a similar look, but younger).

You've given me things to look for when the DVD comes out and I can sit and scrutinise over it. (The public movie experience is very difficult for me; that scene of Holmes at the restaurant is exactly what it's like.)

Lestrade's involvement with the Order never fooled me. XD Perhaps it was because he looked like he was enjoying the abusing Holmes too much.

[elaby.livejournal.com]

I wasn't smart enough not to be fooled by Lestrade's charade about the Order XD I was all *INDIGNANT!!* but I quickly got over it once they revealed what was actually going on, heh.

[coastal-spirit.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad you liked it! Daddy and I are going to see it as soon as we can. :)

[elaby.livejournal.com]

I looooooved it ^_^ I think you'll both really, REALLY like it!

[janeturenne.livejournal.com]

Unbelievably enough *COUGH COUGH* I agree with you on absolutely everything, with the SOLE exception, oddly, of our dear Inspector. But here's what: you need to play 221b. Because I'd not have fallen in love with their Lestrade based just on the movie, either. But there's gotta be an extra...good lord...probably nighabouts half-an-hour of JUST Lestrade footage (like, he's the ONLY character on the screen) in the course of the game, and so his character gets all the development it should. I don't remember which chapter really got me, but there's a clip a few chapters in where he has the kind of moment we were just talking about--where it's very obvious what a good man he is--and THAT was when I came around to their Lestrade. He will never be Colin, of course, in all his glorious subtlety--this is a rougher, brasher, louder Lestrade in many ways--but if I've learned to love the new Lestrade for what he is, I know you can too. Onnacounna the whole separated at birth thing ^_^ Go forth and play!! http://221b.sh

[elaby.livejournal.com]

OooOOOOoo! I had totally forgotten about that! *glomp* Thank you! I shall indeed play it!

Unbelievably enough XD *giggles* I never would have suspected having the same opinion as you about anything! What shock! *huggaluvs*

[redatt.livejournal.com]

Totally, totally, totally agree <3

[elaby.livejournal.com]

Yay! I'm so happy you liked it too, respected Holmesian that you are :)