Oddly Thom Eberhart's Without a Clue, wasn't critically well received on its 1988 release and apparently nor was it greatly promoted, resulting in a sadly brief theatrical run, before disappearing into the annals of cinema history, to be occasionally resurrected since then, for the odd television appearance. It's a pity because it's a cleverly written and well produced film, deserving of a far greater recognition. I wonder whether it was dismissed so easily, because director Eberhardt, who doesn't really work in the industry any more, was collectively seen as very much a director of "B" fare, who never seriously looked like helming a film of critical substance. At any rate, my feeling is that with Without a Clue, Eberhardt did reach his creative zenith and delivered a light - hearted feature of real worth.
Utilising an excellent script from debut cinema screen writers and Holmes tragics Larry Strawther and Gary Murphy, the film takes the Conan Doyle Holmes Canon and then plays with it for all that its worth, in creating not so much satire, but what ends up being a funny, but honourable parody of the Great Detective and his loyal medico off - sider. In this version, the roles are reversed: Dr. John Watson (Ben Kingsley) is the brilliant detective and novelist, while "Sherlock Holmes" (Michael Caine) is an actor hired to pose as the detective so that Watson can protect his reputation as a physician.
The film mirrors well known real life events, like Conan Doyle never regarding his Holmes collection with great regard, in that Watson also attempts to dispense, unsuccessfully of his Holmes creation. But like Conan Doyle himself, finds he is forced to resurrect his Holmes, if he wishes to carry on investigating surreptitiously. Whilst giving respectable nods to many of the Holmes touchstones, such as Mrs Hudson, The Baker Street Irregulars, Professor Moriarty, Inspector Lestrade (a very funny Jeffrey Jones) and a damsel in distress, the production team do a thoroughly A class job of recreating late nineteenth century London.
The Conan Doyle role reversals proves to be an irresistible hook for comedy, with wonderful performances tendered by Kingsley and Caine who demonstrate an effortless chemistry between one another. They both obviously appreciate the crackling banter provided by scripters Strawther and Murphy and the range of comic situations provided therein, bearing in mind the storyline involving the theft of currency plates form the Royal Mint, is in itself, never much more than routine.
Without a Clue doesn't offer the kinetic pace of the entertaining Guy Ritchie films, nor the seriousness of the Basil Rathbone anthology. But it's well performed by the stars and offers a fresh, charming, affectionate take on the beloved characters.
Utilising an excellent script from debut cinema screen writers and Holmes tragics Larry Strawther and Gary Murphy, the film takes the Conan Doyle Holmes Canon and then plays with it for all that its worth, in creating not so much satire, but what ends up being a funny, but honourable parody of the Great Detective and his loyal medico off - sider. In this version, the roles are reversed: Dr. John Watson (Ben Kingsley) is the brilliant detective and novelist, while "Sherlock Holmes" (Michael Caine) is an actor hired to pose as the detective so that Watson can protect his reputation as a physician.
The film mirrors well known real life events, like Conan Doyle never regarding his Holmes collection with great regard, in that Watson also attempts to dispense, unsuccessfully of his Holmes creation. But like Conan Doyle himself, finds he is forced to resurrect his Holmes, if he wishes to carry on investigating surreptitiously. Whilst giving respectable nods to many of the Holmes touchstones, such as Mrs Hudson, The Baker Street Irregulars, Professor Moriarty, Inspector Lestrade (a very funny Jeffrey Jones) and a damsel in distress, the production team do a thoroughly A class job of recreating late nineteenth century London.
The Conan Doyle role reversals proves to be an irresistible hook for comedy, with wonderful performances tendered by Kingsley and Caine who demonstrate an effortless chemistry between one another. They both obviously appreciate the crackling banter provided by scripters Strawther and Murphy and the range of comic situations provided therein, bearing in mind the storyline involving the theft of currency plates form the Royal Mint, is in itself, never much more than routine.
Without a Clue doesn't offer the kinetic pace of the entertaining Guy Ritchie films, nor the seriousness of the Basil Rathbone anthology. But it's well performed by the stars and offers a fresh, charming, affectionate take on the beloved characters.