It’s Elementary, My Dear Watson: Sherlock Holmes

By Audra Foster

The Sherlock Holmes Movie Poster

What is it about the whole ‘fallen hero’ archetype that so appeals to the American masses? We love to see Batman suffer internally as he protects Gotham, and watch as an aged Indiana Jones stumbles around on a screen, and gawk as Captain Kirk gets his ass kicked in a bar brawl. Gone are the days of clean-cut heroes in respectable costumes, with manners and dignity and the confidence that they are right. Sherlock Holmes is not the well-shaved, polite, gentlemanly genius one might expect him to be—he is a rough and tough street fighter who drinks too much and doesn’t bathe nearly as often as he should, who acts rude and intimidating and absolutely crazy when he thinks he has to. And people love him for it. He’s devious and manipulative and a snob and a show-off and honestly I could watch him on a screen all day.

Holmes was written so cleverly that only such a clever actor as Robert Downey Jr. could really bring his character to life. It’s phenomenally entertaining, at least for those who have read the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s books and never imagined that Sherlock Holmes would involve himself in an underground boxing match just to blow off some steam, or be found handcuffed to a bed, stark naked. It’s so unexpected that such a traditionally reserved character go through such a tremendous change when brought to life on the screen.

The Sherlock Holmes of Doyle’s books is always in control, prepared, ready to do or say whatever he knows has to be done. He never gives the impression that he doesn’t have each situation perfectly in hand, even if he fails to enlighten anyone else as to what is going on. But the Holmes portrayed by Downey seems to almost accidentally stumble onto each clue, each part of the mystery, and it isn’t until his entire thought process is laid out in front of the audience (after a visually riveting scene where Holmes apparently drops acid to find out exactly how the villain’s mind works) that one truly realizes how intelligent Sherlock Holmes is.

But just as intelligent, if less glaringly so, is Sherlock’s right hand, the impeccable Dr. Watson, played by the equally impeccable Jude Law. Watson is everything Holmes isn’t—dignified, well-dressed, engaged to a demure young woman, and as respectable in the eyes of society as one can possibly be. He’s the perfect wingman for Holmes, because he is more willing to interact with the people Holmes can’t stand, the pompous and useless members of Scotland Yard, and, although quite often not entirely willingly, always joins Holmes on his often dangerous and seemingly pointless investigations.

The only snag in their otherwise perfectly functional relationship is Watson’s engagement to the young and pretty Mary Morstan (Kelly Reilly), whom Holmes is most certainly jealous of for stealing Watson away from his dubious post as Sherlock Holmes’ back-up and closest acquaintance. The only other person Holmes seems to be able to tolerate (or something of the sort) is his long-time fling, Irene Adler (Rachel McAdams), who is, to date, the only living person who has managed to outsmart him (twice). The secret romantic in all of us surely approves of their twisted relationship, where neither of them can ever swallow their pride and admit any sort of feeling for the other.

But that is how Sherlock is with everyone, especially Watson. Truthfully I thought Holmes and Watson made the cuter couple—their nonstop banter, absolute knowledge of the other’s particular quirks and character flaws, and concern over each other’s physical and mental well-being all made for a perfectly adorable bromance and a totally enchanting movie.

Don’t worry, though, there is little else in the movie that resembles a chick flick. The action sequences—especially when they’re in slow motion—are intensely satisfying, especially when paired with the excitingly lovely original score, composed by Hans Zimmer. The movie itself is entirely clever, from the acting to the action, the musty surroundings to the musical compositions—I only hope they make a sequel, and fast.