Being a Sherlock Holmes fan since youth, I had been curious about the new Holmes movie directed by Guy Ritchie. Finally we went to see it last night. It was an entertaining film, filled with fast-paced fighting scenes, gun-fires, beautiful imagery, and fancy visual effects. I would say it was the type of movies that a 13-year-old video-game-loving boy would certainly enjoy. And the leading stars, Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law, were admittedly two hotties whom I should not complain looking at either.
So, it was a fun movie to watch. Nevertheless, it was NOT a Sherlock Holmes movie. The original great detective depicted in Sir Conan Doyle's novels was a brilliant and physically agile man. But he was also an immensely reserved, private, sometimes cold, almost always neat, Victorian gentleman. The quirkiness of Robert Downey Jr.'s script lines, performance, and even costumes, were completely out of character. After watching the movie, I had to go back to watch my favorite Holmes, portrayed by the one and only Jeremy Brett, in the 1980's Granada TV series.
I once read an interview of Mr. Brett. I don't remember the exact words, but he talked about trying to squeeze his own character out and adopted that of Sherlock Holmes'. And to me, judging by his on-screen persona, he did succeed in doing that. It was true that there had been real obstacles for him. Brett was in his fifties when he took the role. That was much older than the 30-ish Holmes as described in the book. Inevitably, there were discrepancies in appearance, especially in later episodes when Brett's own health was deteriorating. However, he miraculously managed to transform himself into Holmes. The manner of his speech, movements, facial expressions, were all exactly on the mark. I simply cannot imagine a better Holmes.
I also read that Mr. Brett suffered from severe maniac depressive (bipolar) disorder later in life. It was presumed to have been caused by his wife's tragic early death. But I sometimes wonder, whether it had something to do with his unrelenting efforts to become Sherlock Holmes. Holmes was a man somewhat disconnected from human emotions, either by nature or by choice. In fact, some people argue that Holmes himself had symptoms of bipolar disorder, marked by alternating between superman-like energy springs and lethargic depressive moods that could only be alleviated by a new case or a cocaine shot. It must have been extremely difficult to carry the burden of such a character for several years. Perhaps, there was a price to pay to be that great of a detective, for both Mr. Holmes and Mr. Brett.
Anyway, I just had to lament about how un-Holmes-like Robert Downey Jr.'was, and express how I love the real Holmes portrayed by Mr. Jeremy Brett. Yeah, maybe it's just that I have become old-fashioned and nostalgic myself. My hu*****and, for one, prefers the new movie and does not have the patience to watch the Granada TV series.
（多謝文青、聲姐/妹指正語法～）
One of my favorite Holmes episodes: The speckled band
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