The Life of Bohemian Genius

Rating: 8/10 (10 January 2010)

Combining Guy Richie with Robert Downey Jr. (Sherlock Holmes) and Jude Law (Dr Watson) in Sherlock Holmes movie sounded like mixing George Lukacs with Meryl Streep and Anthony Hopkins in Jane Austen story. But surprisingly the style, story and actors fit perfectly to depict this the end of 19th century mystery.
The movie concentrated a lot on Holmes' antisocial behaviour and eccentric habits, and on his troublesome relationship with Scotland Yard, perhaps more than was done in books. But then again the most of the books were narrated by Watson, the movie follows mostly Holmes. His regular cocaine use was replaced by experimenting drugs on his dog, bringing some humorous relaxation into otherwise intense story. No doubt the friends of canine are not happy about this twist. The genius part, how the deduction process in Holmes' head works, was achieved by a flash forward scenes narrated by Holmes, or similar kind of flashback scenes. The story it self is following now so trendy symbolism/supernatural/undead theme.
Jude Law was superb as Watson, having precisely a right amount of edginess, physical activeness, and frustration and loyalty toward Holmes. Robert Downey Jr played drug induced Holmes, well perhaps naturally. Character of Irene Adler (Rachel McAdams), The Woman for Holmes, even though acted well, felt like unnecessary stuffing for the story. But filmmakers just has to dumb some sexual/romantic whatever it is into movies even though it serves know one. Taken the amount of writers in this movie, it was surprise that storyline worked at all.
Overall, a very refreshing adaptation of old story.It would not be surprise if sequel shows up in a year or two.