Sherlock Holmes - Next Cult Hit?

Jude Law, Robert Downey, Jr., and Rachel McAdams are a fresh cast for Guy Ritchie.

The more people I talk to, the more I realize that Guy Ritchie films are…an acquired taste. They’re not break out hits at the box office, they don’t bring in millions and millions like some buzzed about action flicks. But they’re cult hits. They have a very devoted following, who find themselves these niche films with characteristic UK brutes, complex and sometimes confusing storylines, large ensemble casts, rough and tumble brawling, and sardonic lines. Personally, I happen to think these films, such as Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch are pretty brilliant. They’re a refreshing change from the Michael Bay-esque, special effects and explosions heavy action films we’re used to. They’re a fun vacation into the gritty streets of England, and the action is, surprisingly, more realistic, being more hand-to-hand. Plus Ritchie usually casts some of the best actors for this type of film, from super famous to not-so-famous, including Brad Pitt, Benicio del Toro, Gerard Butler, and Jason Statham.

Ritchie’s next project, Sherlock Holmes, is due out this coming Christmas. If you ask me, people are paying more attention to Ritchie ever since his high profile divorce from Madonna. On one hand, it’s all the wrong reasons for people to go see his film, on the other hand…whatever gets them in the theater. Hopefully people will go to see a Ritchie flick and come out actual fans. Sherlock’s also getting more attention stateside than most Ritchie films thanks to more high profile casting, including Robert Downey, Jr. as Holmes himself - Downey being a more American household name - though I fear his British accent skills for this project. Jude Law will play Watson, and Rachel McAdams is the leading lady, Irene Adler. It was a long, talked about shoot for the film, and between Ritchie’s divorce and a cast everyone knows, there was a lot of free publicity going on. So whether people will flock to the theaters out of true Ritchie film devotion or for more gossip-minded motivation, it’s fair to say that there should be a nice turn out for the bloodier, gorier take on this classic - tagline “Crime Will Pay.” However, as far as the public opinion of the film, I think it’s a safe prediction that Sherlock Holmes will join the ranks as a cult hit - a gory take on Sherlock Holmes is not everyone’s cup of tea, and it will take the mind of someone already devoted to Ritchie’s tongue-in-cheek violence to truly appreciate the film.

July 1st, 2009 by Courtney Iseman | Posted in Hollywood | (1)