Watch Mr. Holmes
- PG
- 2015
- 1 hr 44 min
-
6.8 (65,534)
Mr. Holmes is a 2015 British-American drama/mystery movie, directed by Bill Condon and starring Ian McKellen, Laura Linney, and Hiroyuki Sanada. The movie is based on the novel "A Slight Trick of the Mind" by Mitch Cullin. The story is set in 1947, at a remote village in Sussex, England, where an aged Sherlock Holmes, now 93 years old, lives in semi-retirement with his housekeeper, Mrs. Munro, and her young son, Roger. Holmes has long since retired from his career as a detective and is now a beekeeper, but he struggles with the gradual loss of his memory and the difficulty of facing his past. As the movie begins, we see an ageing Holmes forgetting important details about his last case, leading him to question the accuracy of his memoirs, a book that was written by Dr. Watson based on his work. He decides to revisit the case, which happened 30 years earlier, in order to uncover the truth about what happened and the reason why he retired from detective work. In flashbacks, we see a 60-something Holmes, fresh off of his final case, taking a trip to Japan to obtain a rare plant that he believes can extend his lifespan as much as a thousand years. When he returns to England, he's haunted by the memory of an unsolved case that he was never able to crack. He's also still struggling with his abrupt retirement: even though he's been able to build a new life for himself in the country, he's still not at peace with the fact that he was no longer able to chase the truth. As Holmes retraces his steps and recalls his past, he begins to unravel the case, exploring the pieces of the puzzle and piecing together the evidence. He grows closer to Mrs. Munro and Roger, and as the three of them bond over his work, they reveal some of their own secrets, struggles, and fears. Throughout the movie, Holmes is struggling with his decline in memory and the difficulty he faces in trying to recall the details of the case. He finds himself turning to beekeeping as a way to help him combat his memory loss, as he tries to learn useful skills that help him focus on the present and remember the past. The story is incredibly emotional, about a man struggling to accept his own mortality and remember the truth about his own past, while learning to be proud of who he'd become. As he reflects on his legacy, he realizes the importance of his work and the impact it has had on society. Ian McKellen's performance is a masterpiece; he's able to convey both the intelligence and vulnerability of his character, and the relationship between him and his young assistant Roger is something special. Laura Linney is also great in her role, and the supporting actors provide strong performances throughout. The movie is beautifully shot, with stunning landscapes and sets that transport the viewer back to the time and setting of the story. The plot is cleverly constructed, and the pacing is perfect, with enough suspense and mystery to keep the viewer guessing until the very end. In conclusion, Mr. Holmes is a powerful and moving movie that pays tribute to the iconic detective while exploring the themes of memory, aging, and legacy. It's an intelligent and heartfelt film that will appeal to fans of both Sherlock Holmes and historical dramas.