‘Mr. Holmes’ — Is the world interested in a PG-rated geriatric Sherlock?
Ian McKellen plays the title role in "Mr. Holmes." He appears here with Hiroyuki Sanada.
Laura Linney and Ian MeKellen appear in "Mr. Holmes."
Ian MeKellen and Laura Linney appear in "Mr. Holmes."
After a particularly physical Robert Downey Jr. and an extremely quick-thinking Benedict Cumberbatch have both so greatly put their mark on the character, will the world sit still for a sickly, aged, and retired “Mr. Holmes” who forgets things, falls asleep in his chair, and doesn’t have much more to do than pick up a new hobby like bee-keeping?
I hope so. And when that Sherlock is played by Sir Ian McKellen (and supported by the likes of Laura Linney), all of this comes off as downright involving. “Mr. Holmes” also has the benefit of being rated PG, so bring the kids without fear. It’s been a long time since a PG movie has been a quality film of this caliber.
It’s 1947, and the great Sherlock Holmes has retired in relative obscurity to a small village with his housekeeper Mrs. Munro (Linney) and her intelligent young son Roger (Milo Parker) who looks up to the aged Mr. Holmes. But this Holmes is riddled with regret over how he has lived and treated people his whole life (which is pretty well exemplified in Downey and Cumberbatch’s takes on the character), and he’s also haunted by an unsolved case from 50 years prior. But with his memory fading, he’ll need all the help he can get from Mrs. Munro and her son to finally crack that case and put some ghosts to rest.
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Ian McKellen plays the title role in “Mr. Holmes.” He appears here with Hiroyuki Sanada.
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Laura Linney and Ian MeKellen appear in “Mr. Holmes.”
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Ian MeKellen and Laura Linney appear in “Mr. Holmes.”
Inconsistent director Bill Condin is on a roll here with a solid script from Jeffrey Hatcher that is interesting even though there is very little of the action we’ve come to expect from the latest versions of Arthur Conan Doyle’s characters. But pros like McKellen and Linney (and capable fresh face Parker) imbue every catchy turn of phrase with depth and presence. I’m hoping that such a popular draw as McKellen gets folks in the seats, and that they will have some patience with not only a geriatric Holmes, but with subplots that take some time to build. If so, they’ll be rewarded with possibly one last great adventure with super sleuth Sherlock Holmes.
REVIEW
- THE FILM: `Mr. Holmes'
- CRITIC RATING: ***1/2
- STARRING: Ian McKellen, Laura Linney, Milo Parker.
- BEHIND THE SCENES: Sir Ian McKellen is the second notable actor to take the role of Sherlock Holmes recently, after Robert Downey Jr.
- PLAYING: Broadway Theater in Salt Lake City.
- MPAA RATING: Rated PG for thematic elements, some disturbing images and incidental smoking. 104 minutes.
