A Wistful, Adult “Mr. Holmes”
By Skip Sheffield
“Mr. Holmes” is an adult film in the best sense of the word.
The estimable Ian McKellen stars as a 93-year-old Sherlock Holmes in this
wistful tale of regret and opportunities lost. McKellen is a mere lad of 76,
but he is quite convincing as the world-weary Mr. Holmes, still haunted by an
unsolved case 50 years ago.
The story, based on a 2005 novel “Slight Trick of the Mind” by
Mitch Cullin, was inspired by Arthur Conan Doyle’s brilliant British detective
character. It is set in 1947 in the English countryside of Sussex. Holmes has
retired there after the marriage of his loyal sidekick, Dr. Holmes. Holmes is
lame, unable to walk without a cane, and he is becoming increasingly forgetful.
He shares his house with Mrs. Munro (Laura Linney), his housekeeper and her
bright young son Roger (Milo Parker).
Holmes has taken to bee-keeping in his old age, and Roger is
fascinated by the creatures. The story begins with Holmes puzzling over the
premature death of some of his bees. When they return to the house Mrs. Munro
angrily asks if Roger has been bitten. “Bees don’t bite,” Holmes replies. “They
have no teeth. They sting.”
Jeffrey Hatcher’s screenplay is littered with witticisms
such as that. Holmes’ son Mycroft (John Sessions) is a rising sleuth himself,
but rather disengaged from his father. When Roger discovers a mysterious box in
Holmes’ study, it harkens Holmes back to a case involving a Japanese man
(Hiroyuko) and a beautiful, troubled young woman, Ann Kelmot (Hattie Morahan), who
is married to a concerned Thomas Kelmot (Patrick Kennedy).
“Mr. Holmes” will connect with people who harbor lasting
regrets over missed opportunities. While regret is not a constructive emotion,
sometimes it is inevitable. “Sadder but wiser” is the cliché, and the sorrow is
underscored by the terrible knowledge that one’s once-brilliant powers of
deduction are slipping away. “Mr. Holmes” is by no means a downer, thanks to Ian
Kellen’s masterful performance, coupled with strong turns by young Milo Parker
and American actress Laura Linney. This is not summer fluff, but
thought-provoking adult drama.
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