Without a Clue
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Movie Reviews of Without a Clue
Movie Review: "I've got it! His real name is Arty-Morti!"
Summary: 4 Stars
Without a Clue (1988) poses an interesting and humorous take on the Sherlock Holmes mythos created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The film asks what if the character of Sherlock Holmes was truly a fictional character created by Doctor Watson, and is played by an actor, with Watson being the actual mastermind behind solving the various cases and crimes?
In the film, Ben Kingsley plays Doctor Watson, the man behind the deductive and crime solving skills of his fictional character, Sherlock Holmes. For reasons that are revealed within the movie, Watson was not able to take credit for solving his first caper, so he invented the character of Sherlock Holmes, but soon found his creation was in great demand, so he hired an actor, Reginald Kincaid (Michael Caine) to play the part of the detective while Watson stayed in the background continuing to be the 'brains' of the operation. Only problem is Reginald Kincaid is a buffoonish, womanizing, gambling, drunkard, and unable to, as he put it, '...detect horse manure if he stepped in it.' After a falling out, Doctor Watson fires Kincaid, and decides to go it alone as 'The Crime Doctor'. Guess what? The legend of Holmes has grown so large and become ensconced so deeply within the public psyche that no one takes Watson seriously, and even his publisher threatens to sue if Watson reveals the truth of the situation publicly. Not only that, but a rather important case involving the financial integrity of the British Empire has surfaced, one involving the nefarious Professor Moriarty, and Holmes is the only man for the job. Watson finds himself in the humbling position of bringing Kincaid back for what will be one last performance.
Kingsley and Caine play their parts perfectly, and are supported by a wonderful cast including Jeffery Jones as Inspector Lestrade, Paul Freeman as Moriarty, Lysette Anthony, and Peter Cook. The dialogue is witty, and even though the plot a bit thin in some areas, the film works wonderfully as a farcical tale with just the right amounts of slapstick and tongue in cheek humor. A completely professional job done by everyone all around. My favorite part of the film was the notion of Watson using Holmes to keep Inspector Lastrade busy tracking down pointless leads while Watson performed the real detection at the crime scene. I was laughing hard when Holmes was on all fours inspecting the pattern of a rug with the baffled inspector right next to him, trying to get the jump on the 'master' detective.
I was a little disappointed in the release of this film on DVD, as I thought the picture and sound quality could have been better. Also, why is there only a full screen release available? Special features are virtually non-existent with the inclusion of a trailer for the film. MGM usually does a pretty good job with their releases, but they seemed to have dropped the ball here. Anyway, this is a great little film, and worth watching if only to see two fine actors at work
Cookieman108
Movie Review: Holmes: I couldn't detect horse manure if I stepped in it!
Summary: 4 Stars
Without a Clue (1988) directed By Thom Eberhardt is amusing, consistently very funny, impeccably acted Comedy/Crime/Mystery. The greatest mystery remains why this movie is so overlooked? This is a comedy that has got all the right elements, took the beloved classics of mystery genre, looked at them from different angle and retold them in the most enjoyable way. Two of the great modern actors were perfect as beloved characters that were created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and became real for millions of fans. In the movie, though, we are presented with the situation that it was Dr. Watson who not only had documented his celebrated friend's most famous cases but who actually had the outstanding deduction, analytical, and observation skills and had solved the great mysteries of his time. Dr. Watson also had the writing talent and created his alter ago, the eccentric detective, Sherlock Holmes. The stories of Holmes' adventures had become wildly popular. Dr. Watson hired the local actor named Reginald Kincaid to impersonate the legendary detective. Kincaid (Michael Caine) certainly looked the part but by his own confession, he couldn't detect horse manure if he stepped in it! In addition to that, he was drunkard, womanizer, and a gambler. As played by Caine, he is absolutely hilarious and very charming. The best and funniest scenes belong to him. How he was trying to figure out the meaning of the evil Professor Moriarty's name is one of all time's funniest scenes. I've been fascinated by Caine's versatility for many years. If there is an actor who can play practically any role, be dramatic, moving, chillingly scary or comically brilliant and always convincing and joy to behold - it is Caine. Ben Kingsley (not a Sir at the time but Oscar Winner already) was also exceptionally good as easily irritated but brilliant, brave though greatly underrated Dr. Watson. As a huge admirer of two gentlemen from 221B Baker Street, London, I am happy to recommend the film to any fan. I believe that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle would've enjoyed it. He had a wonderful sense of humor which shines through all Sherlock Holmes stories even the darkest ones and I believe he would've appreciated the idea of Holmes and Watson switching roles.Movie Review: Two Great Pros at Work
Summary: 4 Stars
Ben Kingsley, as Dr. John Watson, and Michael Caine, as Sherlock Holmes, do an outstanding job in turning amusing light fare into a small masterpiece. In this highly entertaining new iteration of the Holmes legend, Holmes is a creation of Watson rather than Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Watson is the brains behind all of Holmes achievements. He not only writes the serialized tales of Holmes's adventures he actually solves the crimes.
Sherlock Holmes in this version is actually an unemployed actor named Reginald Kincaide whom Watson hired years ago to put a handsome face upon his fictitious detective. As the movie opens Watson has reached the point of exasperation with Kincaide receiving accolades for the latest case "solved" by his dim-witted Holmes. Watson attempts to jettison Kincaide's Holmes and reinvent himself as the "Crime Doctor". He finds to his dismay that the Holmes character is so embedded as a part of English culture that neither his publisher nor anyone else will accept him as a detective.
He re-obtains Kincaide's services in a fittingly humiliating manner. They are retained by the British Treasury to recover the plates for the manufacture of the country's official 5 pound notes which have fallen into the hands of that iconic master of crime, Professor Moriarty. That leads Kingsley and Caine on a wonderfully convoluted chase that is full of amusing chuckles as the hopeless Kincaide/Holmes tries to keep up with Watson's detective work while acting as though he is actually solving the case. Parents can watch this film with their children as it plays on several different levels.
Caine is terrifically funny as Kingsley's foil. Kingsley is wonderful as the exasperated Watson. Neither actor overplays his part which would be very easy to do and would ruin the movie. The game is afoot, alright. And Caine does a marvelous job of comically tripping over his until Watson solves the case.
Movie Review: Kingsley and Holmes as comic geniuses; 4+ 1/2 stars of sparkling spoof!!!
Summary: 4 Stars
What a joy to see two of the finest actors on the planet, Ben Kingsley and Michael Caine in a comedy! Academy Award winners,both,WITHOUT A CLUE is a great reminder of how real comedy done by classically trained actors can be so much more rewarding, especially Ben Kingsley who is more noted for his serious roles. Caine on the other hand has often played a lout and a buffoon before (SAVING GRACE)with great effect. Both show why they have such long and distinguised careers as they, with great agilility, bring Dr. Watson and Mr. Holmes to life in this funny and ficticious role reversal.
It is not necessary to have an indepth working knowledge of the Sherlock Holmes stories to appreciate this wonderful film, though knowledge of the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle stories does make this screenplay all the more clever!
The great Henry Mancini provides a wonderful romp of a soundtrack fitting for this sparkling spoof on the team of Holmes and Watson.....or is it Watson and somewhat if none of Holmes at all???
Beautifully filmed on locations in and around London it is a real shame that WITHOUT A CLUE was released in a year when comedies such as BEETLEJUICE and A FISH CALLED WANDA as well as heavyweights DANGEROUS LIAISONS, THE LAST TEMPTATION OF CHRIST and RAIN MAN were garnering all of the praise .Perhaps in a different year WITHOUT A CLUE , Kingsley and Caine would have received the recognition so richly deserve!
Both vhs and dvd are adequate for WITHOUT A CLUE as they are both in FULL SCREEN and both have wonderful colour saturation.
Another suggested companion film spoofing the Holmes stories would be YOUNG SHERLOCK HOLMES.
Movie Review: A Funny Holmes Pastiche, Worth Having
Summary: 4 Stars
Dr. Watson has a problem. He's always been the brains behind Sherlock Holmes, a fictional character he dreamed up as cover for the cases he has solved. He even hired a third-rate ham actor, Reginald Kincaid, to impersonate Holmes. But now he's fed up with the fatuous dimwit Kincaid whom everyone is fascinated by and who seems to believe his own notices. He longs to be known as John Watson, Crime Doctor, and to receive the recognition due him for his amazing deductive powers.
That's the set up, and it's a funny one, especially with two first-rate actors as Ben Kingsley playing Watson and Michael Caine playing Kincaid. Watson finally boots out Kincaid and decides to solve a case as himself...but no one is prepared to take Dr. Watson seriously as a detective, even his publisher. Plates for 5-pound notes are stolen from the Royal Mint, the powers of England want Holmes on the case, Watson finds he may need Kincaid after all, and the game's afoot.
Caine makes a spectacular dimwit who finally and inadvertently comes through. Kingsley combines frustration and resentment in a performance that is funny and believable. They both learn something about friendship.
The movie has its weaknesses. It goes on a bit, the climax is workmanlike, and it's essentially a one-joke premise. It still, however, is a very nice, amusing movie, especially if you're a fan of Holmes pastiches. If you're stuffy about Holmes and the sacred canon, well, you may not find this suitable. I thought it was great fun.
The DVD transfer is nothing special but good enough.