SHERLOCK: THE SIGN OF THREE

UK, 2013, 90 minutes, Colour.
Benedict Cumberbatch, Martin Freeman, Rupert Graves, Amanda Abbington, Una Stubbs, Mark Gattiss.
Directed by Colm Mc Carthy.

This is the second film in the third series of Sherlock. Its main focus is on the wedding between Dr Watson and Mary Morstan. There are various comic touches, especially in the development of the character of Sherlock, who characterises himself as a high-functioning sociopath.

The film opens with a comic touch, Inspector Lestrade being called to a series of bank robberies and, about to arrest the criminals, receiving a desperate text from Baker Street – but it is only Sherlock Holmes wanting advice in preparation of his speech to be best man at the wedding. There are several humorous flashbacks as different people are interviewed by Holmes for their behaviour at the wedding. Many of the characters make humorous observations about Holmes and his role.

After the ceremony, he makes a long speech, discarding the telegrams, focusing on himself and communicating his warmth towards his friend, Dr Watson. In his speech he refers to several cases, especially one that he could not solve. Then this becomes part of the wedding meal scenario, an attempt on a life, the revelation of an unexpected killer which also solves the previous case.

The structure of the film is quite complex, moving around in time, and, sometimes in Sherlock’s imagination, especially in interview with various women in contact with the killer, and imagining Mycroft and others guiding him in his detection.

The new direction of exploring Sherlock’s character gives even more scope for Benedict Cumberbatch to display a complex character. On the other hand, Dr Watson is preoccupied with his marriage.

1. The popularity of the series? The change of character in the third series – more personal development? While Sherlock is still an enigma?

2. The focus on the wedding, on Sherlock’s friendship with Watson?

3. The structure: the focus on the wedding, but the various flashbacks, to the friend of Mary, to the boy? The planning, the serviettes like the Sydney Opera House? Sherlock and his composing for the violin, practising dancing?

4. The initial joke, Lestrade and the frustration of the bank robberies – and the text from Baker Street, the backup? Sherlock wanting help about writing his speech?

5. The wedding story, dressing, going, after the ceremony, the photos, the guests, the dinner? Sherlock and his awkwardness, being best man? The telegrams and discarding them? His notes? Talking about John? The cases, the variety of glimpses and the flashbacks? The murder of the Grenadier guard? Unable to solve it? The murder attempt at the wedding? Solving it? Finally dancing and playing, almost flirting with Janine? Talking to John and Mary about the pregnancy – the sign of three?

6. Benedict Cumberbatch and his portrayal of Sherlock, a high-functioning sociopath? The bonds with John, difficulties in expressing it, language? With Mrs Hudson? The interactions with Mary? Lestrade, present at the wedding? The Q&A about the killing, asking Lestrade, Tom and his theory? The visuals of the clues, the words, Mayfly, target? Solving of the case? The summary of the cases?

7. The Mayfly issue, the various women, the woman coming to see Holmes, he and Watson drinking out on the town, the aftermath? The image of the various women and the connections with the Mayfly? The knowledge of Watson’s name, Hamish?

8. The Grenadier guard, the stalker, Watson and Sherlock arriving, the military treatment of Watson, the dead guard, the doctor’s help, still breathing, saving a life and commended by Holmes?

9. Mycroft, the discussions, his influence, not going to the wedding?

10. Mayfly, too many possibilities? The emphasis on Holmes and thinking? Targets, clues? Sholto in his room? Mary knowing the number? Sholto and his comment about dying in uniform, the knife inserted through the uniform? Watson saving him?

11. The solution, Sherlock’s method, the photographer and his motivation?

12. The blending of personal story with case study?