Without A Clue – Genius detective, John Watson, creates the fictional character of Sherlock Holmes and publishes short stories of his exploits in The Strand. As Holmes’ popularity grows, Watson is forced to hire a down-on-his-luck actor, Reginald Kincaid, to pretend this fictional man is real. Bumbling and squabbling through their latest case, their partnership seems to have reached its end. However, when the British government approach Holmes and Watson with a threat to the country, the pair must put their differences aside to crack this big – and dangerous – case.

Without A Clue (1988) – Director: Thom Eberhardt

Rating: PG

Running Length: 107 mins

Starring: Ben Kingsley, Michael Caine, Lysette Anthony

Genres: Comedy, Crime, Period

REVIEW: ‘WITHOUT A CLUE’

Sherlock Holmes, and his loyal side-kick Dr Watson, are names known throughout the world. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s almost super-humanly clever and observant sleuth has resonated with people since his first appearance in ‘A Study in Scarlet’ in 1887 and continues to find a huge amount of popularity today. However, what if Dr Watson was the genius and Sherlock Holmes was a bumbling idiot? ‘Without A Clue’ takes this premise and doesn’t hold back; with the classic comedy pairing of ‘straight man’ (Ben Kingsley as Watson) and ‘funny man’ (Michael Caine as ‘Holmes’) well, the game’s afoot.

The chemistry between the two leads is wonderful and while both have their charms, their own imperfect personalities stop you from siding with either of them during their numerous spats. The twists and turns of the case keep you guessing as to what the truth really is but through it all, ‘Holmes’ and Watson drive the story forward, with plenty of laughs along the way. Where ‘Without a Clue’ succeeds and other comedy Holmes movies fail (naming no names) is that not only to both character actors imbue their performances with all the subtle (and not so subtle) tics that sell the humour, the actual case they are investigating is a compelling one that keeps you guessing. Combine this with a wonderfully theatrical ending and glorious boo hiss baddie (Paul Freeman) and the result is a something special.

Will you enjoy ‘Without A Clue’? Elementary, my dear reader!

CONTENT: IS ‘WITHOUT A CLUE’ SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN?

The movie opens with some robbers being caught by police. Some punches are thrown and one threatens Holmes with a crossbow. A suit of armour falls on him causing the crossbow bolt to hit a nearby mannequin.

Reginald Kincaid, aka Sherlock Holmes, is a drunk. This is merely suggested at first as he has a bottle of alcohol hidden under floorboards in his room. In an outburst, Watson calls him ‘a gambler, a womaniser and a drunkard!’ He is seen drinking at a bar and returns to his hotel intoxicated. Later, a different character moves books in his office in order to get to a decanter of whisky and he takes a drink.

A boy flirts with a grown woman saying ‘Hello ducky, do you work here?’. Later a woman walks through a bar, she stops short and screams then angrily says ‘Alright, who did it?’, implying someone has touched her inappropriately. ‘Holmes’ speaks to her then cheekily admits it was him and does it again laughing. Although she is not impressed by this, the scene is played as comedy so could be imitable by some kids. However, shortly after this Holmes is approached by two large, tough men who threaten him regarding some gambling debt, the woman from before tells them ‘That’s the bloke who pinched me bum!’, and Holmes is forced to run away.

Holmes tells Watson about a postcard his friend had, saying ‘He had this wonderful one with two women…’ although he doesn’t finish his sentence.

A dead body is pulled out of water although this isn’t gory. A man speaks of the dead man imagining him  ‘…struggling futilely, flailing desperately as the cold black waters seal his fate forever!’

‘Holmes’ talks to the daughter of a missing man saying ‘we think he’s at the bottom of Lake Windermere, drowned like a rat!’

Holmes is keen to see a woman undressing, and mentions her ‘heaving breasts’. He then spies on her through a keyhole without her knowledge. The music in the scene is suggestive as we see the woman remove her stockings, revealing her whole bare leg. He spies on her through the keyhole again later but is caught and berated by another woman.

A rug made from a real tiger is shown up close, it’s full head in the foreground of the shot.

When spying on some criminal activity, ‘Holmes’ and Watson see a dock worker’s throat get cut, he pleads for mercy but the camera cuts away and his body slumps to the ground. No blood or suffering is seen.

When tragedy strikes, ‘Holmes’ is completely dejected, he becomes quiet and upset. He walks home with a rope and other characters find him upstairs with a noose around his neck, in a botched attempt to end his life. The fact he fails even at this is played for laughs and the scene is not morose.

An incidental character is stabbed in the neck onscreen, however no blood or wound is shown.

A female character turns out to be a male transvestite. He proceeds to flirt with another established male character who believes him to be a woman. Knowing the truth, Holmes and Watson play along with the ruse. This is done at the expense of the established character and does not mock the transvestite at all.

CAN I SEE A CLIP?

VERDICT: IS ‘WITHOUT A CLUE’ FOR KIDS?

‘Without A Clue’ is a great comedy movie that will keep you laughing from start to finish. If we’re being honest, the attitudes to women are best described as ‘old-fashioned’ and cheapen the otherwise solid fun at points. It’s worth talking to children that these attitudes belong firmly in the past and women don’t exist just to be ogled, touched or coveted against their will. Fortunately there is plenty more to enjoy, so dig in to this bait and switch that gifts you a ‘Sherlock Holmes’ as you’ve never seen him before.

• Violence: 2/5 (some punch-ups. The stronger violence is never over-done or gory)
• Emotional Distress: 2/5 (a character is believed to have been killed, and their friends are upset by the loss)
• Fear Factor: 0/5
• Sexual Content: 3/5 (suggestive language, women are ogled and pinched, a woman is spied on as she undresses)
• Bad Language: 2/5 (some mild cursing and blasphemy. A woman is called a ‘silly cow’. Insults like ‘idiot’ and ‘fool’ are used. One instance of ‘faggot’)
• Dialogue: 2/5 (some dialogue about dead people is a little strong, sexual inuendo and threats of violence)
• Other Notes: Deals with themes of criminal activity, using intellect to stop crimes, friendship, feeling underappreciated, regretting your decisions and overcoming adversity.

Words by Laura Record