"It is a capital mistake to theorise without data..."

[shoebox2]

Finally saw Sherlock Holmes this weekend, as a farewell gift from a friend. And enjoyed it immensely, warts and all.

I have never quite understood the purists who insist on Holmesian externals as the be-all and end-all, that Victorian London be picturesque, cozy and uncomplicated largely because Holmes stands like a bulwark against evil: all-knowing

Comments

[dendritejungle]

Okay, now I'm just curious: what's an Irregular?

[shoebox2]

Heh. In-universe, the Baker Street Irregulars are a gang of street urchins that Holmes uses when he wants errands run at street level (usually finding or tailing suspects).

In the real world, the Baker Street Irregulars were the first official Sherlock Holmes fan club, starting in London and branching out to North America shortly after. Over the years, it's become shorthand for 'really, REALLY serious Holmes fan' [ie., the kind that would contribute articles to the Baker Street Journal... no, really.]

I don't know if Ritchie's quite that far gone, but this movie sure demonstrates an uncanny grasp of Holmesian subtleties.

[idaniel]

Hello!
I found your review while looking for information about Irene Adler. And it's the most interesting one so far. I agree with everything you say(except for the Irene part), especially when you say that a certain image of Sherlock Holmes has been in people's minds for so long that they have trouble accepting a new and in most ways more accurate image of the detective. And I'd like to say a big "thank you" for saying that Holmes needs Watson for reality and normalcy check(yes, they're best friends and accomplices, but that's it) and that Watson sticks to Holmes because of the thrill of that crime-solving life. Yes, he tolerates Holmes' eccentricities because he's his friend, but there are also certain things about Holmes he doesn't like.
Anyway, your review was brilliant and I'll point it to all my friends who haven't watched the film yet, if you don't mind. :)

[shoebox2]

Why, thank you so much! I'd be flattered. (And sorry for not finding this comment earlier -- I've been shamefully lax about journal maintenance lately.)