User reviews:
Awesomely gay.
by tawdry_hepburn (Sat Dec 17 2011 14:52:10)
First off, I am straight. However, I enjoy movies with a strong gay subtext because they remind me of Hollywood's classic period during the Hay's Code where you couldn't actually show sex in any form. There's something charming about the throwback feel of a homoerotic subtext where we understand that the protagonists are in love with one another, though it is never spoken aloud. Sorta like "To Catch a Thief" where the romantic leads kiss and we pan up to the fireworks overhead. The audience understands the symbolism, even as the text itself remains understated.
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, moreso than even the very gay original, is a great example of this trend.
As the film begins, Watson is about to marry. Holmes is none too pleased about this, though he cannot explain exactly why.
Next, Holmes throws Watson a stag party. Even though the party takes place at a *brothel*, Holmes systematically makes sure that Watson has no sexual contact with any women. He also makes sure that none of Watson's other male friends are even present. It's like having a bachelor party thrown by the bride.
And then there's the bit with the cigar...
After this, Holmes shows up and interrupts Watson's honeymoon, dressed as his wife (!) and ensures that Watson cannot consummate the relationship.
Later, Watson brings Holmes back to life by penetrating him with a phallic object.
And as if the film were not overt enough, the climax is Watson walking in on Holmes embracing another man! If you cut that close up of Watson into Jude Law's romantic drama "Closer" it would fit right in as Law's moment of heartbreak (assuming you ignored the period clothing).
I didn't love this movie, though the last 30 minutes were quite good. However, the gay angle, which Downey Jr. and Law have discussed openly, was very entertaining.
,Said the Shotgun to the Head--
Saul Williams
by kit-sung (Sat Dec 17 2011 15:00:45)
Are you sure you're not a closet homosexual? Cause you sure sound like a gay person who sees a gay subtext in even the most innocent moments...
by tawdry_hepburn (Sat Dec 17 2011 15:12:27)
No. I just went to film school. ahah.
But seriously, Downey Jr. and Law *did* discuss the intentional gay subtext of the original film during the junkets for part one. They're clearly playing Holmes and Watson as secret lovers.
As Freud said, "Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar." But in this case, the cigar is quitea bit more.
I enjoy films that deal with forbidden love and in 2011, we've already broken the class barrier, the age barrier, the race barrier and so on. Secret gay love affairs are all that is left.
I don't see why I would have to be gay to get enjoyment out of this angle anymore than I would have to be a drug addict to find catharsis in The Lost Weekend or Requiem for a Dream.
I would have linked to the original interview with Downey Jr. on Letterman, but it appears that that's been pulled from youtub.
This message has been deleted by the poster
by tawdry_hepburn (Sat Dec 17 2011 15:14:51)
I saw that as just action choreography, but I suppose you're right. Wasn't Holmes in a dress and makeup with a wig that resembled Watson's wife at that point too?
by luluthebeast (Sat Dec 17 2011 15:24:28)
While I agree that there is a good deal of subtext going on, I think you missed the point of the ending completely, and as far as the bachelor party goes, Holmes was there on business.
And I loved the movie and thought it was better than the last one. But I don't want to go into too much detail until more people see it. You know....spoilers and all.
by tawdry_hepburn (Sat Dec 17 2011 15:29:22)
I agree that it's unfair to discuss minute details of a film that's been out for less than 72 hours. I tried to keep it spoiler free. The image description I give for the climax doesn't really give anything away.
I know that Holmes was at the stag party on work, but his character is always doing two things at once. And it plays into the double entendre nature of his relationship with Watson where everything is buried and has a 'rational' explaination, as well as a *wink*wink*nudge*nudge* meaning.
The ending especially struck me as an interesting resolution of the film's internal romantic tensions. Watson is trying to leave Holmes, to go legit and get a wife, but when he sees Holmes in the arms of another man... it's like the ending of Last American Virgin (most authentic sex comedy ever made). That moment especially struck me as a double meaning. There is no particular reason for Watson to come outside at that exact moment other than as an exposition shortcut and to underline the subtextual themes.
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