I love that spark of excitement that happens when, with fall on the horizon, I see that first grand performance of the movie year. That happened with Ian McKellan’s performance in Mr. Holmes.
The film is indeed about that Mr. Holmes, as in Sherlock. But I didn’t go because I’m a fan of that literature. And you needn’t be to enjoy this movie. Yes, a case is involved. And yes, our Mr. Holmes shines as a detective, sharing tips and secrets with the adorable and young Roger (Milo Parker, also wonderful in his role). But the movie is about so much more. It goes deeper. It means more.
If you’ve seen the movie poster, then you know the film involves Mr. Holmes later in life; he’s 93 years old. (Granted, McKellen is a youngster by comparison at 76.) And it would come as no surprise that at age 93, the years have caught up with a body and a mind. This, I can admit, was difficult for me, experiencing issues with an ailing and aging parent right now (as is my movie companion for this film, making this movie viewing all the more poignant). Along those lines, the movie touched a place in me, reminding me about a conversation I had with a friend who volunteers for Hospice.
Many people see hospice as that care involved toward the end of life that helps family members cope with the impending loss of a loved one. But hospice care also greatly focuses on the person dying. As my friend put it, the care helps the person wrap things up. Perhaps that involves reaching out to others, engaging in some conversations, finding resolution where none had lived before. It helps someone find their peace in saying goodbye to this life.
And that’s what I saw in Mr. Holmes, this elderly gentleman, seeing the signs of a life slipping away, but wanting to finish up some areas left incomplete. The manner in which he goes about doing so is an endearing, gentle look at that sunset of life–a beautifully colorful, powerful albeit fading, peaceful sunset. But don’t get me wrong, it’s not a sad, depressing tale. It’s genuine. It’s charming. It’s sweet. Seeing the twinkle in Mr. Holmes’s eye gives the viewer a sense of peace of where he is in these cool-down laps. And that makes this movie great.
As I indicated earlier, McKellen’s performance takes this movie to that level. He remarkably shows the varying acceptance, fear, dread, love, compassion, sadness, and everything else that must settle into someone at that place in life. While doing so, he brings amazing life to his Holmes, even while showing in his face how swiftly that life is nearing its end. To do that with such grace and charm and flair, well, Mr. Oscar, start buzzing.
(End note: To be fair, and in the interest of full disclosure, I should probably confess that I could not have told you what Ian McKellen had been in before I saw him in this film. But that’s part of me—not necessarily knowing to which roles actors belong. (I know, I know—-to all of you LOR fans, I apologize. But now, figuring that out, of course I remember his as Gandalf. But to be fair to me, I saw only one of those films.)
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