SHERLOCK: THE LYING DETECTIVE
UK, 2017, 89 minutes, Colour.
Benedict Cumberbatch, Martin Freeman, Toby Jones, Mark Gatiss, Rupert Graves, Una Stubbs, Louise Brearley, Amanda Abbington, Lindsay Duncan, Sian Brooke.
Directed by Nick Hurran.
This is the second film in the final series of Sherlock with Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes and Martin Freeman as John Watson. The several series had been extremely popular over many years, Sherlock in a modern situation, confrontations with Moriarty, adaptation of Conan Doyle's characteristics of Sherlock presented in a 21st-century situation.
With Moriarty dead, this film provides a new villain, Toby Jones has a smarmy self-promoter, television advertiser, Culverton Smith. In fact, he is a serial killer but prefers his victims to be anonymous – but then wants to enhance his reputation and become famous. A clear set-up for conflict between Holmes and Smith.
However, the narrative of this film continues the aftermath of the death of John Watson's wife, Mary (Amanda Abbington) who makes considerable appearances in this film as a ghost, part of her husband’s consciousness as well as conscience. Mycroft Holmes (Mark Gatiss) is also concerned and there is a reappearance of Lindsay Duncan as Lady Smallwood.
There are complications with Culverton Smith's daughter, a psychologist treating Dr Watson, some impersonations – and the revelation that there is a third Holmes sibling, preparation for the third film and the end of the series.
1. The continuation of the previous film? The focus on Mary Watson? Her death and the consequences?
2. The London settings, the world of advertising, television, business offices? Baker Street? Homes? The musical score?
3. The title, with reference to Sherlock? Benedict Cumberbatch and his style, manner, web speech? The autistic suggestions and the visual-verbal attention to clues? The drugs? His reactions? At home, with Mrs Hudson, missing John Watson? His blame over Mary's death? Culverton Smith, the article about the two? His reactions?
4. Dr Watson, the psychological effect of Mary's death, going to the psychologist for talks, Mary continually appearing to him, talking to him, urging him on? His baby in care? His refusing to talk to Sherlock? Mycroft contacting him? The situation, his being asked to help?
5. Sherlock and John, the interactions, one saving the other?
6. Sherlock and the meeting with Smith's daughter, the discussions,?
7. Culverton Smith, Toby Jones and his style, the meeting, his daughter present, giving everyone the drugs, his need to confess, 'Anyone' as his murder target? Sherlock working out the one syllable victim? The puzzles, his role as a serial killer, at first anonymous, his thrills, his reputation, boasting, television advertisements?
8. The variety of clues? Mycroft and his concern? The interactions with Lady Smallwood and the previous interrogation? Mrs Hudson and her concern?
9. The buildup, the revelation about the real daughter?
10. The confrontation with Smith's, the threats, death?
11. Everything seemingly back to normal? Then the revelation about Sherlock and Mycroft and their hidden sister? Her disguising presence as Smith's daughter?
12. The preparation for the finale?
