Mr. Holmes

Sherlock Holmes is one of the very few characters in modern literature and pop culture that not only handles reinvention well, it flourishes with each new iteration of it. Dating back to the Basil Rathbone era all the way up to Benedict Cumberbatch's modern retelling, Holmes and Watson have been the original dynamic duo. One area of Holmes' chequered life that's been somewhat neglected, however, is his twilight years.

That is, until Mitch Cullin's A Slight Trick Of The Mind which forms the basis of Mr. Holmes. The world-famous detective is now 93 years old and living in a sleepy English hamlet with his housekeeper, Mrs. Munro (Laura Linney) and her precocious son, Roger (Milo Parker). Having just returned from a trip to Japan, Holmes is intent on holding onto his dignity in the face of advancing dementia by keeping a journal of his events. In a weird twist, Holmes is now cantankerous against Watson, played Colin Starkey, as he's made a small fortune from selling his memoirs of his time. In order to keep his mental acuity, Holmes is pushed to resolve one final case with the help of young Roger.

Where Mr. Holmes departs from other iterations of the detective is that the film is less about the chase and more about the characters themselves. Bill Condon's clever directing and Jeffrey Hatcher's well-attuned script flits back and forth to Holmes' final case as he tries to salvage what's left of his memories. It's a touching moment to see the character, at the full height of his powers, and then his current state which is a former shadow of himself. McKellen's gravitas and imposing frame fits perfectly into the mould of Sherlock Holmes. His precise, quietly insistent voice trails over gorgeous cinematography and stirring dialogue, giving the film a slick presentation.

Linney, likewise, is admirable as Mrs. Munro, generating a warmth and sincerity that's truly heartening to see. Likewise, young Milo Parker is equally genuine as the son who drives Holmes' story forward, pushing him to recall his former glories. The issue with Mr. Holmes, however, is that the pace is a little bit too slow for its own good. We're aware that he's not at his full capacity, sure, but there's just something a little too stately for all of this. Not only that, the strict budget does seep through in places and takes away from the immersion of it all.

Despite these minor complaints, Mr. Holmes is a sturdy,well-made character drama with a strong central performance from McKellen.