Mr. Holmes

Plot synopsis:
In 1947, the long-retired Sherlock Holmes, aged 93, lives in a remote Sussex farmhouse with his widowed housekeeper Mrs Munro and her young son Roger. Having just returned from a trip to Hiroshima, he starts to use jelly made from the prickly ash plant he acquired there to try to improve his failing memory. Unhappy about his Watson's fictionalisation of his last case, The Adventure of the Dove Grey Glove, he hopes to write his own account, but has trouble recalling the events. As Holmes spends time with Roger, showing him how to take care of the bees in the farmhouse's apiary, he comes to appreciate Roger's curiosity and intelligence and develops a paternal liking for him.
Over time, Roger's prodding helps Holmes remember the case (shown in flashbacks); he knows he must have failed somehow, as it resulted in his retirement from the detective business. About 30 years earlier, after the First World War had ended and Watson had married and left Baker Street, Thomas Kelmot approached Holmes to find out why his wife Ann had become estranged from him after suffering two miscarriages. Holmes followed Ann around London and observed her seemingly preparing to murder her husband - forging cheques in her husband's name and cashing them, confirming the details of his will, buying poison, paying a man, and checking train schedules. Holmes, however, deduced her true intentions: to have gravestones made for herself and her miscarried children (the man she paid was a stonemason) and then commit suicide with the poison. Confronting her, he confessed he had the same feelings of loneliness and isolation, but his intellectual pursuits sufficed for him. Ann asked Holmes if they could share the burden of their loneliness together. Holmes was tempted, but instead advised her to return to her husband. She poured the poison on the ground, thanked Holmes, and departed. Holmes later learned that she killed herself by stepping in front of an oncoming train. Blaming himself, he retires and falls into a deep depression. Watson briefly returns to care for him and, discovering the details of the case, rewrites the tragedy into a success.
A second series of flashbacks recounts Holmes's trip to Japan, where he met a supposed admirer named Tamiki Umezaki who had told him of the benefits of prickly ash. In fact, Umezaki had a hidden motive for meeting Holmes. Years before, Umezaki's anglophile father had traveled to England. In a letter, the father wrote that he had been advised by the brilliant Holmes to remain in England permanently, abandoning his wife and son. Holmes bluntly told Umezaki that his father simply wanted a new life for himself and that Holmes had never met him. Umezaki was crushed.
In the present, Mrs Munro gradually becomes dissatisfied with her work, and Holmes's overall health deteriorates and he spends more time with her son. After he becomes unconscious from an experiment with the prickly ash, he requires more physical care. She accepts a job at a hotel in Portsmouth, planning to take Roger to work there as well. Roger does not want to go. He is unhappy with his barely literate mother and his family's working-class status, and tension develops between mother and son.
Holmes and Mrs Munro later discover Roger lying unconscious near the house, a victim of multiple stings, and he is rushed to a hospital. Distraught, Mrs Munro tries to burn down the apiary, blaming Holmes for caring only about himself and his bees. Holmes stops her, having realised that Roger had been stung by wasps; Roger found their nest and tried to drown them to protect the bees, but they swarmed on him instead. Holmes and Mrs Munro burn down the wasp nest together, and Roger regains consciousness. Holmes tells Mrs Munro that she and Roger will inherit the house and grounds after his death, encouraging her to stay.
Holmes writes his first work of fiction: a letter to Umezaki, telling him that his father was a brave, honourable man who worked secretly and effectively for the British Empire. As Roger begins to teach his mother how to care for the bees, Holmes emulates a tradition he saw being practiced in Hiroshima: creating a ring of stones to serve as a place where he can recall the loved ones he has lost over the years.

Tags: storytelling, flashback

Review:
When I first heard that Ian McKellen landed the role of Sherlock Holmes in a film about the end of the great detective's life, I knew he would be perfect for the part, and indeed, he was.
The scenes with Roger and Holmes provide poignancy and humor, and also the dose of reality so necessary to a film focusing on a living legend.Bill Condon (Dreamgirls, Gods and Monsters) directs the film, which is based on the novel "A Slight Trick of the Mind" by Mitch Cullin, and pretty quickly pulls the rug out from under us on the iconic deerstalker cap and the ever-present pipe.
It is so similar to Conan Doyle's books (even with Watson's romanticised twists on things) that I would advise fans of the BBC's Sherlock to steer clear, as it is a very different Holmes to the one they love.I would recommend this for a 10+ age group, as anyone younger may not understand the complex messages that are being conveyed - they also might find two scenes in particular too frightening.Ian McKellen is an outstanding actor, and this performance shows it.
The IMDb ratings are often useful, but the ratings on this one are way off.This is a gentle film that shows old world kindness, perfectly drawn character, beautiful photography and a ripping good story.
So, after all this effort to see this film and all the excitement, was the film as good as we expected it to be?Mr. Holmes follows a 93 year-old Sherlock Holmes as he lives retired in a Sussex farmhouse with his housekeeper, Mrs. Munro and her son, Roger.
With the help of Roger and some small tricks up his sleeve, he will write the truth about his final case and how it ended his career, but also let him know that he has a compassionate side as well.I was so hyped for this movie, because who wouldn't be hyped to see Ian McKellen, the aging god of acting, playing one of the best known characters of all time?
Of course, Ian McKellen did amazing as a 93 year-old and a 60 year-old Sherlock Holmes, and he did a great job at portraying the character in two different stages of his life: One when his mind was immaculate, and one where his mind cannot be trusted.
Hattie Morahan does a wonderful job as the woman that Sherlock is trying to remember about, and her character just does something so beautifully tragic that you can't help but feel somewhat sorry for her and sad at the end of the film.
It really worked on so many levels and it kept you intrigued and guessing right until the end.I'd also like to mention the make-up used to age Ian McKellen even further for his role as the 93 year-old Sherlock.
Let's get to the point, Mr. Holmes is a huge cinema achievement with such ambition and its so good to see Sir Ian McKellen steal the show in his fantastic pitch-perfect portrayal of the world's greatest detective, Sherlock Holmes.
Sir Ian McKellen played the role so perfectly, to me, he reaches the same level as the greats like Basil Rathbone and Benedict Cumberbatch and he should be getting an Oscar buzz for this brilliant performance.
There is also a tone of drama, emotion and humour that also really works altogether for the film, the other actors did a great job too and for those reasons, this is one film to buy a ticket for a seat to sit down with your popcorn, drink and snacks and watch with interest.This is a film that will please Sherlock Holmes fans everywhere, as it did me..
The second half of the film picks up in pace as the 3 story lines all begin to start solving themselves, but more importantly Mr. Holmes (I don't think his first name is ever uttered in this movie) starts to realize a moral that he never quite came to terms with in all of his sleuthing regarding the truth and humanity.
Brilliantly acted by the cast, including young Milo,who should become a regular screen presence( Let's hope he doesn't end up in a franchise mess).Beautifully filmed with little or possibly no over the top CGI,this should satisfy any serious movie fan.
This BBC film has an aged Sherlock Holmes, in failing health, living in retirement in the country, and trying to remember his last case.Shakespearian thespian and British Knight, Sir Ian McKellen, plays well, and convincingly, the eponymous detective, both in his later years, and in flashbacks to his last case.
Laura Linney, Hattie Morahan, Hiroyuki Sanada and Milo Parker make up the rest of the cast.Probably the most admirable aspect of this film is the fact that I believed in Ian McKellen's Holmes.
I actually believed that Sherlock Holmes in his old age will probably act and behave in the way McKellen portrays him.
Laura Linney, the young Milo Parker and Hattie Morahan are all very good too.The theme of the film basically dealt with Holmes' transition from being a professional detective driven solely by logic to an old man who finally realises the virtues of kindness and care and actually comes to identify how he has benefited from the kindness showered on him by people around him including his old friend and colleague John Watson.
Another minor flaw for me was the dialogue in one or two scenes which felt a little artificial like when Laura Linney's character talks about the kid Roger's father.So overall this is a very charming film with a good screenplay, good direction and great acting.
This 2015 British-American film , based on Mitch Cullin's 2005 novel A Slight Trick of the Mind, takes place in Sussex two years after the end of the Second World War. This interpretation, among the many Sherlock Holmes we have seen, focuses on the lonely and contemplative man struggling to remember his last case, not the analytical mind associated with the world's most famous fictional detective.
The movie's style is very British (BBC, Channel 4,etc.) and the reinterpretation of Sherlock as an old man (played by an amazing Ian McKellen - Gandalf...) fits just great!Also the young boy as "Watson-pendant" did a great job!
Meanwhile, Roger's mother wants to take a job in Portsmouth, knowing that Sherlock won't live forever, nor is she all that interested in being his caretaker instead of his housekeeper.This is such a lovely story of a man at the end of his life coming up against the choices he made, as he attempts to make sense of his last case, which he considers a failure.
There's a spark in his eye as he sees the intelligence and interest that Roger has, and realizes that he needs something he has done without most of his life - people.Ian McKellen gives a layered performance of Sherlock at 63 and a frail and forgetful 93, again showing his depth as an actor.
The film is interesting as a depiction of an old Sherlock Holmes and his problems but can be kind of boring as not much happens throughout the story,the direction is in a slow style,and it drags on for a while.
Ian McKellen is, as always, fantastic and perfectly cast in the titular role but the most intriguing character is the subject of Holmes' final case, wonderfully portrayed by Hattie Morahan as Ann Kelmot.
The character of Sherlock Holmes as an old, frail man to be apparent and portrayed well - This is where the film fails in my opinion.
The, perhaps most gifted, classical actor of today, Sir Ian McKellen stars in this film about the most famous fictional detective ever created, who tells us himself, towards the end of the canonical stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, that when Sherlock Holmes retired he became a beekeeper.
(Several stories occur during and after his retirement.) In addition to McKellen, Laura Linney, with a sometimes shaky British accent, plays Holmes' housekeeper Mrs. Munro and Milo Parker plays her young son Roger, Holmes' young follower and admirer.Mention should be made of Nicholas Rowe who famously played young Sherlock many years ago but, in this film, he is in a brief satiric "matinee movie" scene, a nice touch.The similarities to the earlier film "Gods and Monsters" (1998) in which the same star, Ian McKellen, played the director James Whale, of the original Frankenstein films, is also not accidental with the story having to do with the final days of that director surrounded by real and fictional characters.
One, that I have loved all things related to Sherlock Holmes ever since reading the "Hound of the Baskervilles" as a young boy, and two, being a great fan of Ian McKellan, who I consider one of the United Kingdoms greatest actors.
I would also like to point out the performances of both Laura Linney, who we see all to little of and is a wonderful actress, and an excellent turn by young Milo Parker who is not overshadowed by Mckellan, but who in fact interacts delightfully with him and only increases the overall excellence of the movie.Slow, but delightfully so, and poignant, "Mr Holmes" should be enjoyed by all who enjoy movies not just for action or a "tall tale" but for the intellectual and emotional stimulus with which only truly great performances can illicit from the viewer..
Needless to say, that interesting twist never arrived.Sir Ian McKellan is an excellent actor and this is clearly displayed in this movie, but all the great acting in the world cannot save a boring story..
The young man Milo Parker is just delightful and he comes off as a long time veteran with his incredible acting abilities as Mr. Holmes - played by McKellen - new protégé.
After seeing the movie about a couple of days ago I can say that the movie wasn't all that good, this isn't the worst movie I've seen but it could have been a lot interesting when it came to characters and story.Ian McKellen as the old Sherlock was truly spot on for him.
And the other flashback is kind of interesting as we get to see Sherlock solving a small mystery that I can't bring up or can't go into full detail because if you have full interest on seeing the movie and don't want things to be spoiled then your save here, but what I can bring up that doesn't end up spoiling it is that it involves a man who's worried about he's wife and she's acting a bit strange, so Sherlock takes interest in this case and tries to solve this mystery, oh and how the flashback ends is pretty funny and that's Sherlock stopping the story and saying to himself "I can't remember the rest of it".
His only companions are his housekeeper (Laura Linney) with whom he has a cordial but cold connection; and her young son Roger (Milo Parker) with whom he bonds quite amicably.Based on the novel "A Slight Trick of the Mind" by Mitch Cullin, the story is much different from what one would expect in a Holmes film.
Nor does it feel like an ending of the series of Sherlock Holmes as a whole, but rather an exploration of one of many ways Mr. Holmes might retire - and why.While some may say it was too slow, not all great movies need a lot of action.
Sir Ian McKellen is superb as an elderly Sherlock Holmes, with his performance my favourite portrayal of Holmes in film - a completely different angle to Robert Downey Jr's!
I did not expect to love this movie, I am a huge Sherlock Holmes fan ad have been reading the original Sir Arthur Conan Doyle books and stories over and over again for almost 45 years in addition to other authors version of the character and watching every Sherlock film made (big Rathbone/Bruce fan).
Frank Miller's "The Dark Knight Returns", a Graphic Novel (Comic Book) widely Credited for a Batman "New Wave", paints Gotham's Vigilante in Advanced Years and Dealing with Mortality.This Film is based on the 2005 Novel by Mitch Cullin, "A Slight Trick of the Mind", Sherlock Holmes is doing the same at Age 93.The Movie is Nothing Like the current Reinventions in Film and on TV (Downey and Cumberbatch) mostly made for the Hyper-Twitchy-Moderns.
So now we find Holmes in 1947 in his dotage, suffering from serious dementia, trying to recollect the details of his last case, both to recast the original version written by Watson and to recall why it led to his retirement.Ian McKellen is simply wonderful in the eponymous role and the 76 year old actor has been brilliantly made up as the 93 year old beekeeper.
The great detective has a widowed housekeeper (Laura Linney, with an accent that veers from Kent to Devon and back again) whose studious young son Roger (Milo Parker) finds a father-figure in Sherlock.His health declining and sliding into forgetfulness if not dementia, Holmes struggles to remember the details of an unsolved late case involving a beautiful young woman and a poisoning.
I thought the young boy playing Roger was a bit miscast, too cutesy by half.I also found the the plethora of mini-plots - wasps vs bees, Japan/Hiroshima, the 50 year old case, tension between mother and Holmes etc etc simply made the story difficult to follow and the whole lacked any cohesion.
-Mr. Holmes is a 2015 British-American crime drama mystery film, directed by Bill Condon, based on Mitch Cullin's 2005 novel A Slight Trick of the Mind, and featuring the character Sherlock Holmes.
The film stars Sir Ian McKellen as Sherlock Holmes, Laura Linney as housekeeper Mrs. Munro and Milo Parker as her son Roger.
In 1947 Sherlock Holmes (Ian McKellen) is 93, retire from detective work as he feels he didn't solve his last case, is on the verge of dementia, is befriended by 10yr old Roger (Milo Parker) the son of Mrs. Munro (Laura Linney) the housekeeper.
Its more about an older Sherlock Holmes (Ian McKellen) who is suffering with memory lose and is finding it hard to remember his last case, which he has decided to write about.
Basically, I would have liked to have seen Sherlock Holmes go out in a blaze of glory, except for being stuck in a house, not remembering all of the amazing crimes that he has solved.Budget: N/A Worldwide Gross: $25.5millionI recommend this movie to people who are into their mystery/drama's starring Ian McKellen, Laura Linney and Hiroyuki Sanada.
That the role was used and played in such a subtle manner will only be realized when the ending is reached and the viewer realizes the true point of the story-- a point that as in all good detective mysteries-- is artfully withheld until the last several minutes.For those who love crying at the movies, you may wish to have a hankie in hand-- though you may be surprised as to when it becomes necessity.This is a film of superb acting on the part of McKellen, excellent directing and effectiveness between the director and actors, and with satisfying and unexpected twist that makes this Holmes greatest challenge-- to delve into his own past and deduce the hidden mystery that has brought him to this point in his life.Anyone who "yawns" at this film needs find fare less cerebral.
His mind is still often sharp, but not as sharp; he has trouble with names, and his attempts to write the story of his final case are faltering.Ian McKellen is excellent as Holmes, as is Laura Linney as his melancholy housekeeper, whose young son takes an interest in beekeeping and that final tale.While the movie is primarily concerned with aging, it does understand that people want to see Sherlock deduce something, and he does, quite ably.
Ian McKellen is a good actor - although Bill Condon is a bit lazy, making almost exactly the same kind of film as his GODS AND MONSTERS from a couple of decades ago - but he doesn't play Holmes here, just some kind of wise old man.Each of the stories has flaws and faults.
Sherlock Holmes(played by Ian McKellen) is 93 years old, and he is living with his housekeeper, Mrs. Munro(played by Laura Linney), and her son, Roger(played by Milo Parker).
I thought he wasn't even a great actor to begin with.But I was wrong.When I saw this movie with my Mom, I was completely blown away by everything about it.The acting, characters, and character development were excellent, particularly by our three main characters.McKellen's performance as Sherlock Holmes at the age of 93 and retired was completely splendid.
It is completely satisfying from every angle.The story is set in 1947, following a long-retired Holmes (Ian McKellen in a brilliant performance) living in a Sussex village with his housekeeper (Laura Linney) and potential detective son Roger (Milo Parker).
In addition, I only understood the relationship between Sherlock Holmes and Laura Linney's character until far too late, by that time I'm already so confused that I lost interest in the film.
This movie is not about young Sherlock Holmes doing lot of deduction work to solve mysteries, but it shows an aging detective who is struggling with memory loss and trying to leave his life peacefully.
I would recommend people to watch this movie who are there to know Sherlock Holmes as an old man, to see his inner side..
This film should be seen for Ian McKellan's magnificent portrayal of Sherlock Holmes who in 1947 has lived to the ripe old age of 93 and is in retirement.
British thespian, Sir Ian McKellan is wonderful in his role as the great detective who has found that old age and a diminished mind is fast catching up with him.McKellan's Holmes is living in his country estate in picturesque Sussex just after the Second World War with his housekeeper, Mrs Munro (Laura Linney) and her curious and intelligent son, Roger (Milo Parker).