Mr. Holmes Movie Review

Mr._Holmes_posterThe oldest of them all, Ian McKellen (Lord of the Rings trilogy) portrays a 93 year old Sherlock Holmes; retired from the world of deduction, the aged detective now lives in a Sussex village with his housekeeper and her young son. As he attempts to rewrite the truth of his life which his former partner John Watson had chosen to embellish, his last case inevitably comes back to haunt him in the form of blurred memories.

Based on an original story written by Mitch Cullin and the famed characters of Arthur Conan Doyle, Bill Condon (Gods and Monsters, Kinsey) takes a much slower approach to illustrate the story of a much more vulnerable Holmes, unlike the fast-paced action thriller Sherlock Holmes starring Robert Downey Jnr., Mr Holmes allows a comfortable and much more delicate viewership with a most intelligent script.

With mesmerizing set decorations and exquisite costumes, Holmes’ search for clarity includes two flashbacks to supplement the present; while short, succinct emotions were expressed and a beautiful original score could all be perceived

At times  the film plays like Still Alice yet with a much warmer setting in the countryside of 1947, and with its twists and turns gives a refreshing take on a perplexing tale of mystery. Masterfully Ian McKellen delivered an uncanny performance, contrasting his more impuissant, retired character with that of the flashbacks. Milo Parker playing the much beloved young son should also receive praise for an exceptional collaboration with his elder co-star.

Overall, though slow-paced Mr Holmes is a wonderfully old-fashioned film with a safe yet clever script, those that prefer a quiet movie of less intensity and more delicacy should be much pleased.

-Henry Pan
An overzealous film critic wannabe, Henry Pan makes a trip down cinema lane once a week, in order to decrease his ever-increasing massive watch list.

In selected Theatres from 23rd of July 2015 in Australia

MPAA rating: PG
ACB rating: M