JohnDoe
Bryn
BrentonWithout A Clue (1987) - Footage Included
January 19th 2007 02:54
Without A Clue
DVD Cover
Writers:Gary Murphy and Larry Strawther
“It wasn't YOU he tried to kill!” - Holmes
”Think man, think... Who was SUPPOSED to be in that room?” -Watson
”That's right! You were!”– Holmes
“Moriarty knows, I am the only match for his evil genius.” - Watson
”You mean he's not trying to kill me?”- Holmes
”Of course not, he knows you're an idiot.” - Watson
”Oh, thank God.” - Holmes
Ingenious reworking of the Sherlock Holmes mythology, lovingly staged to incorporate mystery and adventure with a twist of dry wit.
Without a Clue is a comedy of errors that will keep you grinning, in this version of the tale Dr Watson (Ben Kingsley) is the mastermind and his accomplice Sherlock Holmes (Michael Caine) is a drunkard actor pretending he is a super sleuth.
The Arthur Conan Doyle novel “The Red Headed League” sets the stage for the opening scene where Holmes nabs the bad guys in an art gallery and solves the case with his trademark flair for theatrics.
The bubble burst as soon as the police take away the felons and Dr Watson turns to the egotistical Holmes with scorn on his face. We learn quickly that the gifts of logic and deductive reasoning are Watson’s alone and that Holmes is in fact a bumbling fool.
Theirs is a strained relationship with Holmes misplaced arrogance and mindless ideas at odds with Watson’s intellectual nature that repels from the lime light.
“Steady, Watson! Just get through it one more time! Then you're rid of that fellow... What a pleasant thought! I feel much better... quite euphoric!” – Watson
Constantly bickering, the two butt heads and inevitable split at the most impromptu moment. A baffling case has just arrives and all signs point to the return of their nemesis Professor Moriarty, priming for another deadly game of cat and mouse.
“You didn't tell me that homicidal maniac was in on this!” – Holmes
Struggling to put their personal dislike of each other aside the duo begin following the clues and in typical fashion collide with damsels in distress, dangerous coincidences and clever turns of phrase.
“The game is afoot” - Watson
Shoosh, Im trying to act here and all you are talking about is my eyes
Hilarious and fun, a literary comedy rooted in the theatre told with pizzaz and performed with adoring energy from all the cast.
The script mines the role reversal angle resulting in genuine laughs, an unrelenting flow of witty exchanges and knowledgeable twists on the character dynamic. Obvious appreciation for the source material results in sincere homage and a cracking little mystery to solve.
The chemistry between the two stars Ben Kingsley (Sexy Beast, Ghandi) and Michael Caine (Ipcress File, Get Carter, The Man Who Would Be king) is magic, the film would not work without their precise performances. Bouncing off each other and unashamedly basking in their roles.
Ably supported all around by familiar faces, this is wise family friendly entertainment that will captivate the kids with its slapstick and have the adults rolling on the floor at the fluid repartee.
The DVD
Transfer:Widescreen 1:85:1/Dolby Digital 2.0
Extras:Trailer
I couldn’t find a single useable clip for this movie anywhere so instead I have include footage of Michael Caine teaching his style of acting….had me laughing out load for different reasons…
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Comment by Adrienne
Comment by Cibbuano
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Drop in anytime...
Thought you might get a chuckle out of this one Cib...Without a Clue sits proudly on my shelf beside Clue, Slueth and Murder by Death. (I often watch them back to back) I love this style of comedy and they always put me in a good mood.
Shouldnt be hard to find a copy and it is quite cheap to buy.
Comment by Mike Crowl
Webitz
Work Report
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Glad you got somkething out of the Michael caine clip...you can see the other 5 parts of the doco at youtube.com
I always get a buzz out of listening to actors talk about the technical side of their work.....bring on Inside The Actors Studio
Have you seen WithOut A Clue?
Now for no apparrent reason...my top 10 Michael Caine Films.... (Excluding- Without A Clue)
1. Get Carter
2. the Ipcress File
3. The Italian Job
4. The Man Who Would Be King
5. Slueth
6. Deathtrap
7. Dressed To Kill
8. Alfie
9. Zulu
10. The Wrong Box
Runners up:
Pulp
The Black Windmill
Shiner
Quills
Little Voice
Batman Begins
The Prestige
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
He has been in a lot of films I have enjoyed it seems
Comment by DuskDevi
Rugby World Cup 2007
....Caine as Alfred...this butler did it! Great casting.
(....and don't start me on Bale as Bat/Bruce...yum... yum. Yum. Did you like 'Batman Begins' JD? If so, did you do a review?)