The story here (based on the novel A Slight Trick of the Mind by Mitch Cullin) is told in such rich strokes, it’s sometime easy to forget that both this tale and the character of Sherlock Holmes created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle are both fictional. McKellen continues to amaze and his performance here while being bathed is subdued British wit burns below the surface with the frustrations of age and the decline of the mental process.

The story revolves around Holmes’ last case and the circumstance that lead to his early retirement and the subsequent 35 years of his self-induced seclusion. It’s a side of the super sleuth that is seldom seen and it informs the character with more human traits that are usually seen with this fictional titan of the mind

This is a work that is told with a pace so far removed from the big bang ethos prevalent today that it might appeal only to those with the patience and eye for subtle detail. However for filmgoers with those attributes, the film offers rich rewards.
Rob Hudson
www.mrholmesfilm.com

In 1947, the world famous sleuth has retired to a remote Sussex farmhouse, living in relative anonymity with only his housekeeper Mrs Munro (Laura Linney) and her young son Roger for company. Cantankerous, demanding and frustrated with the mis-representation of him in Watson’s best-selling novels, he diverts his attention to an unsolved case. As the mystery deepens, Sherlock tries desperately to recall the events of 30 years ago that ultimately led to his retirement.

This also stars Academy Award nominee Laura Linney (The Savages), Frances de la Tour (Harry Potter) and newcomer Milo Parker.
www.mrholmesfilm.com

Competition will be drawn 22 July 2015, winners will be notified by mail.