Discussing this tomorrow; finding myself at a loss. What do you think people should consider when they watch this film?
Oh god. XD
The characterization of Holmes and Watson, then and now. I read an article where Ritchie (or maybe it was RDJ or Jude Law, or some combination thereof) talked about how they felt the characterization of Holmes and Watson was, in fact, right in line with the original stories. By Victorian standards, Holmes and Watson were written as being a bit wild. Holmes did cocaine, Watson had a gambling problem, there was a certain amount of breaking and entering, etc. etc. Victorian language being significantly politer than it is today, the contention was that if those same stories were written today, what you would get is very much how they’re depicted in the movies. (Tragically, I cannot remember enough about that article to find the citation for you.)
Likewise, Mary and Irene. Both extremely interesting interpretations of the characters, and an interesting play with the idea of the Victorian adventuress. A case could be made, looking at Victorian literature and the way they delicately phrased things to let people read between the lines, that they are indeed in line with the way ACD might’ve written them in a less genteel period.
You might also take a look at the publicity for the movies? Remember RDJ and his jokes about, “They’re manly men who fight crime and share a bed,” or something to that effect? Obviously, he was tweaking the noses of the media, but it definitely got the film talked about. I saw headlines that literally read, “Holmes and Watson are gay!” And, to be fair, RDJ’s penchant for messing with reporters’ heads aside, there was a certain amount of deliberate positioning of the film that way, PR-wise. Which makes the subtext of the film particularly interesting, not just in a slash-goggles context but in a “What are you REALLY saying here, because this is what you sold us…” way. Watson is getting married. Holmes is acting like a jilted…something. Etc.
Also possibly worth considering is the potential for a reading as a serious asexual relationship? Because Holmes’ behavior DEFINITELY implies a desire to ‘keep’ Watson and thus a thwarted expectation of a long-term exclusive relationship…
Does that help?