Without a Clue (1988)

Touches You

I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

Excellent and certainly provocative... If nothing else, the film is a real conversation starter.

The biggest problem with this movie is it’s a little better than you think it might be, which somehow makes it worse. As in, it takes itself a bit too seriously, which makes most of the movie feel kind of dull.

The same year, Michael Caine gave life to the alcoholic & stubborn Inspector Abberline of Scotland Yard, assigned to investigate the Jack the Ripper murders in the high budget'd mini-series of the same name, he played the total opposite (well, except for the liquor part) in "Without a Clue", a lighthearted 'pastiche' on the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, spoofing his most famous characters on reversing their roles, placing Dr. Watson as the real sleuth with great deduction powers and Sherlock Holmes as a has-been stage actor with an alcohol problem, hired by Watson as his figurehead. As the incompetent Holmes, not only disturbs and embarrass the genius detective work of Watson, but he's seen by the Press and general public as the mastermind of investigation and Watson just a mere inefficient sidekick, the self- called "Doctor of Crime" tries to rid out of him to assume his real talents , but the process won't be easy...The screenplay by Larry Strawther & Gary Murphy, two Sherlock Holmes' devoted fans, is smartly written to work both as a slapstick farce and as a harmless parody to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle himself, who at a certain point, was tired of his own fictional creation and tried, unsuccessfully, killing him off.The dialogue is wonderfully witty and the staging of the comedy situations it's well-crafted and genuinely funny without forcing it to the viewer, due a vivid and inspired direction of Thom Eberhardt, self-aware of the comedy timing and inducing a perfect tone to the movie, and the absolutely brilliant cinematography by Alan Hume, which is visually top notch, recreating the Victorian Era. The editing is also very good with the movie, flowing at a relatively fast pace without filling-in with unnecessary scenes. The production design, art direction, set decoration and costume design, all together did a terrific job giving life to the Sherlock Holmes' world.In terms of performances, Sir Michael Caine and Sir Ben Kingsley are both excellent in their respective roles with Caine being a riot to follow. Kingsley got the less meaty part, but he subtly, captured the true essence of his straight character and gave the essential counterpoint, for Caine's flamboyant performance to work.The supporting players were all perfectly cast for their roles and well-directed in their performances, especially Jeffrey Jones as the dumbest Inspector of Scotland Yard, Lestrade (his facial expressions' are comedy gold) and Paul Freeman as Sherlock Holmes'... well... Dr. Watson's arch enemy, Prof. James Moriarty.In short, "Without a Clue" failed with movie critics and audiences, in both continents, when it was released in '88 which was a shame, because it's not only one of the best Sherlock Holmes' movies ever made, but also one of the very best spoofs out there and 30 years after it was made, is still criminally underrated for the general public, even if it was re- valuated along the years and started to be figured in some Top Lists made by Sherlock Holmes' aficionados.Erroneously, some critics pointed out that was way inferior to the previous, Sherlock Holmes' humour oriented 'pastiche', "The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes" ('70) directed by the acclaimed Billy Wilder, but it's like comparing apples to oranges, it's a totally different genre and tone with obviously, totally different results.Highly recommended !!

Sherlock Holmes (Michael Caine) is actually a drunken degenerate gambler actor hired by the brilliant Dr. Watson (Ben Kingsley) to hide his hobby of detective work. Watson has enough of the idiot and throws Holmes out. Only Mrs. Hudson (Pat Keen) and the Irregulars know the truth. Watson tells his publisher Greenhough (Peter Cook) who threatens to sue him. Inspector Lestrade (Jeffrey Jones) and Lord Smithwick (Nigel Davenport) of the Treasury have a new case for Holmes. Nobody is willing to trust Dr. Watson with a case and he has to hire Holmes back. £5 banknote printing plates has been stolen orchestrated by Prof. James Moriarty (Paul Freeman). Suspicion falls on long time employee Peter Giles leading to his daughter Leslie (Lysette Anthony).Caine and Kingsley make a surprisingly good comedic team. It's always funny to have people fall over themselves for Holmes while they dismiss Watson. This is an inventive and fun spin on Sherlock Holmes.

Searching round for a Comedy film DVD which I could pick up for a friend's upcoming birthday,I suddenly remembered seeing a fun film on the BBC a few years ago,which involved Michael Caine in a Sherlock Holmes movie.Tracking down a wonderful review of the movie from a fellow IMDber,I got ready to find out if Sherlock Holmes is really without a clue.The plot:Preparing to enter medical college,John Watson decides that the school would look down on his amateur detective skills.Being keen to continue his investigations, (and to start selling them as Mystery stories to a magazine for cash) Watson hires a washed up actor called Reginald Kincaid to act as a fellow detective.Feeling that Reginald Kincaid is not a catchy name,Watson decides to re-name him:Sherlock Holmes.9 Years later:Sickened by his creation getting all the credit,despite his only job being to stand in front of the cameras once all the work is done,Dr.John Watson decides that it's finally time he sends Holmes back to the gutter from which he came from.Excited about being able to do his own detective work without a drunk actor taking all of the glory,Watson soon discovers that everyone is unwilling to give him any clues to a current investigation,which leads to Watson taking the decision,that he must once again team up with Sherlock Holmes.View on the film:For the screenplay of the film,writer's Gary Murphy and Larry Strawther brilliantly combined sight-gags with a real sense of adventure which is threaded by a charming wraparound Mystery.Showing the Holmes/Watson relationship to be at the breaking point from the start,the writers use the character's off-the-cuff lines to deliver some cheerful in jokes to Sherlock Holmes past (from the opening being based on the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Holmes story The Red-Headed League,to the movie taking a bite out of The Hound of the Baskervilles.)Smartly taking the mystery side of things serious,Murphy and Stawther reveal Holmes and Watson to slowly start re- building their friendship,as they pick up the clues one by one.Backed by a whimsical score from Henry Mancini,and terrific,fog covered directing from Thom Eberhardt,Michael Caine and Ben Kingsley each give excellent performances,with Kingsley showing a real stiff upper lip relish as Dr.John Watson,whilst Caine shows Holmes to be more keen on grabbing some quick booze,rather than grabbing the baddie.Joining Caine and Kingsley's extremely charismatic double-team,Peter Cook (who edited the UK's satirical investigating journalism magazine Private Eye) gives a fun,tough performance as Watson's magazine owner,whilst a very good Jeffrey Jones shows,that when it comes to Holmes & Watson, Inspector Lestrade will always be without a clue.

How many films have these three names as stars, as Sherlock and Dr Watson, though Peter has a minor role, but also with the likes of Nigel Davenport and Jeffrey Jones too, the quality cast always keeps things interesting, even if the comedy comes and goes a bit, at times.My movie came by way of a job lot of Michael Caine films given 'free' with the Daily Mail, so in essence, it cost just 20p. Some of this lot are of frankly awful quality, sub-video actually but this one sparkles with crisp, bright visuals and good stereo sound.Despite Michael Caine playing Michael Caine (again) his comedic, often drunk portrayal of the sleuth is always engaging, if hammy and a little obvious. Of course, as others have also pointed out, director Thom Eberhardt's novel twist is the role reversal and that it's all Watson's genius and sleuthing and Holmes is just an actor acting him out - therefore, Sherlock is the buffoon, often (& comically) corrected by Kingsley's Watson - you'll see exactly how this works yourself, by watching it!Whilst it helps to be a fan of the Baker Street duo (I'm not an avid one, but can and do enjoy an occasional dip into) there is a breezy and broad appeal here whilst still retaining a good period feel, though Blenheim Palace near Oxford doubles as old London a fair bit. The whole family could sit down and enjoy this one, unlike the stuffier, more authentic Holmes', the jaunty and rather fun score by Henry Mancini helping. The steam train journey up to Lake Windermere is also a pleasant diversion, breaking up a rather ridiculous story about forged five pound notes.So, not a movie for those requiring - or expecting reasoned logic and by-the-book acting, but for a light, rainy Sunday afternoon flick that you can dip in and out of, then good fun and well worth the time, especially, if like me, you fancy a bit of good ole Michael Caine.