Without a Clue (1988) User Reviews

Good pastiche , but sadly underrated

[Maziun · 7/10 · 4 July 2013]

This movie is probably the finest parody of Sherlock Holmes I've ever seen . Yes , I like Wilder's "Private life of Sherlock Holmes " . Yes , Levinson's "Young Sherlock Holmes " was fun . "Without the clue" in my opinion easily beats them all . The idea here is simple , but brilliant (like the most of ideas) – what if Watson was the smart one and Holmes was an idiot ? This little movie is a great character comedy.

The movie actually really feels like a SERIOUS Sherlock Holmes movie . The music , the mood , the costumes and the art-direction – everything that is needed to bring the world of Holmes from the books on the screen alive is top-notch . Look at the beginning of the movie . Until the moment when Watson begins to shout at Holmes you could be easily fooled that this is just another adaptation of Conan Doyle's books. Hell , the whole plot is done well . If they would keep the original characterizations of the characters this would be a really good "normal" Holmes movie . This is something I feel that was lost by both Wilder and Levinson – the soul of Sherlock Holmes world .

The jokes here are simple , sometimes predictable . There are some more subtle jokes that you might miss , if you're not watching closely ( joke with the disappearing watch , joke with the violin ) . The true strength of this movie lies in the performances of Michael Caine and Ben Kingsley . I was especially surprised by Kingsley . I've never seen him in comedy before . He usually plays a rather evil and menacing characters . I've seen Caine in comedy before , so I knew he was perfectly capable to give a fine performance.

Kingsley and Caine have a wonderful chemistry together that is rarely seen on screen . They can make even the simplest line of dialogue hilarious and the interaction between them is a pleasure to watch . I seriously think that without them , the whole movie wouldn't have work . The other actors give them a good support , especially Jeffrey Jones . He's perfect for the role of Lestrade . He's got one hilarious scene when he's trying to figure out what Holmes said to him – he's facial expression is worth Academy Award . Great performance.

As I mentioned earlier the movie is very attractive visually and the orchestral music by Henry Mancini (famous for "Pink panther theme ") fits the story very well .

Overlooked and unappreciated , even now . Too bad . I give it 7/10.

Unexpected gem turns Holmesian lore on its head

[Libretio · 7/10 · 16 May 2005]

WITHOUT A CLUE

Aspect ratio: 1.85:1

Sound format: Dolby Stereo

'Sherlock Holmes' turns out to be a ham actor (Michael Caine), hired by brilliant detective Dr. John Watson (Ben Kingsley) to play a character whose adventures are dramatized by Watson and published in a popular weekly magazine. But the two men are forced to set aside their differences when Prof. Moriarty (Paul Freeman) hatches a fiendish plot to destabilize the British Empire.

An unexpected gem. Thom Eberhardt's clever revision of Holmesian lore foregoes puns and sight gags for character-based comedy, and a wonderful cast of experienced British thesps plays it with just the right degree of reverence and mockery (Caine and Kingsley, in particular, make a formidable comic team). However, the script - by Gary Murphy and Larry Strawther - is entirely faithful to the spirit of Arthur Conan Doyle's most famous creation: Despite Holmes' incompetence and Watson's escalating outrage, the central mystery is genuinely skillful and engrossing, the clues are delightfully outlandish, and the Victorian atmosphere is conveyed with elegant simplicity, thanks to stylish art direction (by Brian Ackland-Snow) and costume design (by Judy Moorcroft). However, the writers aren't afraid to poke gentle fun at the established conventions, particularly Holmes'/Watson's uncanny ability to draw conclusions from even the most obscure scraps of evidence, and the climax manages to combine warm-hearted comedy and genuine thrills during a final showdown with Moriarty in an abandoned theatre. Highly recommended.

Elementary, My Dear Holmes

[slokes · 8/10 · 26 May 2005]

"Without A Clue" might be called "Without A Trace," as it sunk upon its 1988 release much like a set of five-pound-note engravings at the bottom of Lake Windemere. Hopefully the new DVD release, albeit pan-and-scan, will give people another chance to catch this terrific send-up of fiction's most celebrated detective.

This is the film that dares reveal Sherlock Holmes is a fraud, an out-of-work actor named Reginald Kincaid (Michael Caine) pulled out of the gutter by a desperate crime-solving doctor named Watson (Ben Kingsley) who needed to produce someone to play the part of this invention of his. Dr. Watson, you see, didn't want the initial notoriety of his sleuthing successes. He desired admission to a medical college that would frown on such things. Now he wishes he wasn't so successful in playing Kincaid off as Holmes; Kincaid's a drunken womanizing blaggard grown too big for his britches, whining that Watson doesn't treat him at all times with the respect his borrowed robes command.

"I am the one the public really cares about," Kincaid/Holmes sniffs.

"Are we talking of the same man who once declared the late Colonel Howard had been bludgeoned to death by a blunt EXCREMENT?"

"Is it my fault if you have such poor handwriting?"

The lines aren't all polished gems, but they complement a pair of nice comic performances by Caine and Kingsley that keep spirits merry as the game goes afoot.

Also well-done is the understated late Victorian period detail and some strategic nods to the Holmes canon like the presence of Mrs. Hudson the housekeeper and the Baker Street Irregulars, all of whom are in on the Kincaid/Holmes secret. There's choice digs at Holmes' notoriety throughout, like a fellow who gives some meaningless eyewitness testimony to Holmes before a rapt hometown crowd who break into applause when Holmes tells Watson: "Make a note of it." Watson's slow burns here and elsewhere reward repeat viewings.

With Henry Mancini doing the score and director Thom Eberhardt effectively working in a light Ealing tone, this film plays like some great lost Peter Sellers comedy, except Sellers would never share the screen so easily with another as Caine and Kingsley do here. Eberhardt also did good work in another film that went past too many people, "Year Of The Comet;" it's a shame we didn't see more of him.

This would be a classic if the mystery at the heart of the story was more developed, and there are a pair of unnecessary killings that distract momentarily from the light tone. I'm not wild about all the supporting performances, but Jeffrey Jones is a very funny Lestrade as he chases Holmes around an abandoned house on his hands and knees, Watson having told his partner first to do his usual sleuthing routine so Watson himself can root around unobserved. Lysette Anthony is sexy and effective as the potential romantic interest, inspiring Holmes to try and solve the case without Watson, as well as look in keyholes when he's not supposed to.

He's less successful attempting elementary deduction when he spies a man he takes for a reporter just back from the subcontinent.

"I'm a barrister and I've never been to India in my life," the man answers.

"But you do read the Times."

"Of course."

"Aha!"

You don't need to be an Arthur Conan Doyle fan to enjoy "Without A Clue," though it helps. This is the best kind of parody, no less riotous and cutting from being a work of true love.

A true lost gem

[Baroque · 6 December 2002]

The premise is so clever. Sherlock Holmes never really existed. It was Dr. Watson (Ben Kingsley) who had been solving these cases all along, and simply hired bumbling actor Reginald Kincaid (Michael Caine) to play the fake Sherlock Holmes.

To those who are hard-core Holmes fans, this film will be cherished. Sadly, the VHS is out of print in the USA (I bought mine used at a flea market), and DVDs are available only in Europe.

(UPDATE: The film has been released on DVD in the USA, but in Pan & Scan.)

Also, the film received hardly any promotion in the USA. But it is lavishly directed, cleverly written, and magnificently cast.

Everything about this film deserves exclamation points!

Track it down any way you can, and prepare to laugh out loud.

loved the concept

[blanche-2 · 6/10 · 1 May 2012]

Michael Caine is "Without a Clue" as Sherlock Holmes in this 1988 film also starring Ben Kingsley, Jeffrey Jones, Lysette Anthony, Peter Cook, and Nigel Davenport.

In this story, the real brains of the operation is Dr. Watson (Kingsley) - he solves a case, but because he was up for an important position at the time, he made up the name of a detective and told the police that he had solved it. The name he made up was, of course, Sherlock Holmes.

When Holmes becomes in demand, Watson goes out and finds a drunken, womanizing actor (Caine) with gambling debts and has him front for him as Holmes.

Watson gets fed up with Holmes, as does Mrs. Hudson, who loathes him, and at one point, they throw him out of 221B Baker Street. Watson tries to take an important case of counterfeit 5 pound notes himself, but the people involved only want Holmes. Watson has to go to a bar and talk him into returning.

Very good concept that becomes a little bit slapsticky (though funny) in the middle of the film -- its strong points are at the beginning and at the end of the movie.

"Without a Clue" is a little bit silly, and with actors like these involved, it should have been a much stronger script. The performances are all excellent. I just wish it had been a little better.

Michael Caine as a clumsy Holmes in a fun film with an amazing amount of surprises

[ma-cortes · 6/10 · 9 June 2006]

This is a special perspective on the life of noted sleuth Holmes and doctor Watson turning characters each other . Now Sherlock (Michael Caine) is a bungler , coward , unknown ham performer addicted to alcohol and girls-chasing , while Watson (Ben Kingsley) is a broody , intelligent , obstinate detective . Mastermind Watson contracts an unknown , botcher interpreter in order to hide his own activities . He substitutes famed Sherlock and takes off some of his more dangerous cases . They solve unanswered mysteries and must rescue a damsel (Lysette Anthony) in disgrace from nasties , being beset by their rival , devilish Dr. Moriarty (Paul Freeman).

It's a genuine ripping tale plenty of hilarious moments , engaging farce , spoof, and some fun . Michael Caine as Holmes is magnificently incarnated , he makes a fine performance , however his character is too much stupid and fool . Ben Kingsley as the clever but zealous Watson is the best role . Remaining secondary cast playing usual characters from Arthur Conan Doyle's novels : Inspector Lestrade (Jeffrey Jones), Mrs Hudson (Keen), Dr. Moriarty (Freeman) , all of them are frankly well . The film boasts a beautifully cinematography by Alan Hume and haunting musical score by Henry Mancini ; besides , an atmospheric production design . The movie details an un-mythical Holmes personage , along with ¨Private life of Sherlock Holmes¨ (directed by Billy Wilder) concerning about gossips regarding homosexual relation each other ; ¨Adventures of Sherlock Holmes' smarter brother¨ (filmed and played by Gene Wilder) upon his stupidest brother ; ¨Solution seven per cent¨ (by Herbert Ross) deals with meeting between Sherlock and Sigmund Freud to cure his cocaine addiction . The motion picture was correctly directed by Tom Eberhardt but received little recognition and limited box office .

Clever but one-joke comedy.

[gridoon · 7/10 · 13 June 2003]

If you stay all the way through the closing credits you'll finally read the phrase "with apologies to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle". Well, no apologies are really needed: this is an "irreverent" but still affectionate Holmes variation/homage, and Caine and Kingsley demonstrate a warm chemistry as "Holmes" and Watson, respectively. The film produces many genuine laughs, however the one-joke script (Holmes keeps getting credit for Watson's brilliant deductions) wears a bit thin after a while. In short, an amusing film, but no comic masterpiece. (**1/2)

A must see!

[super marauder · 10/10 · 9 November 2001]

I was a theater manager in 1988. I got this movie called 'Without a Clue', and that describes what I knew about it. I never saw a preview, I had no one sheet (poster) for it......Nothing! When I put the thing together, and saw the beginning, I thought oh, no! Not another Sherlock Holmes movie! (I think they made too many as it is!) But when Watson yelled at Holmes "You idiot!", that blew me away! I sat and watched it and laughed my butt off! Unfortunately, nobody else knew about this movie either! My theater was in a small town, and everybody knew me, and I told people if you want to see a funny movie that has no sex, really bad words, you have to see this movie! On Friday, when it opened, the theater was nowhere near full, on Thursday, the night it closed, we had a good crowd, some seeing it two, or three times (our admission price was $1.00 at the time). Granted, the teen-agers didn't care for it, but the adults loved it! In fact, one lady said to me, why don't they make more like that anymore! This movie IS an overlooked gem of a comedy!

Ordinarily I do not bother with half-wits and buffoons.

[hitchcockthelegend · 7/10 · 18 May 2013]

Without a Clue is directed by Thom Eberhardt and written by Larry Strawther and Gary Murphy. It stars Michael Caine, Ben Kingsley, Lysette Anthony, Jeffrey Jones, Matthew Sim, Paul Freeman, Pat Keen, Matthew Savage and Nigel Davenport. Music is by Henry Mancini and cinematography by Alan Hume.

Sherlock Holmes (Caine) is really a second rate actor hired for incognito purposes by the intelligent crime solver Dr. Watson (Kingsley). Tiring of him getting all the praise, Watson tries to dispense with the oafish Holmes' services. However, a major counterfeit case rears its head and Watson, with a bumbling Holmes in tow, must set aside differences to try and crack the case.

The premise is role reversal and it makes for a lovely entertaining movie. Oh the plot itself is hardly ingenious, and the absence of Kingsley's Watson for a good chunk of the last third of the movie is sorely felt, yet the japery and chemistry of Caine and Kingsley see it safely home.

Caine as Reginald Kincaid as Sherlock Holmes is a buffoon, a hard drinking pratfaller in waiting, someone who is not beyond peeking through a keyhole to ogle a shapely thigh. And Caine has a ball with the role! On the other side is Kingsley's Watson, continually irritated by his companion in crime solving, he's grumpy and stomps about like a spoilt kid. Kingsley also has a ball.

Holmes aficionados will appreciate the characterisation of Inspector Lestrade (Jones), since he's played as clueless, while the Baker Street Irregulars (Savage sprightly), Professor Moriarty (Freeman not in it much and not playing it for laughs really) and Mrs. Hudson (Pat Keen wonderful and really given a character that impacts on the jollification on show) keep the Holmes/Watson world vibrant.

Elsewhere Lysette Anthony raises the temperatures with her beauty and sexuality, whilst thankfully getting a character written as more than just an ingénue. Mancini strings together a jaunty and period themed musical score, while the Victorian production design is authentic and pleasing on the eyes. So all in all, one or two quibbles aside, it's good wholesome fun that is well performed and constructed by the makers. 7.5/10

A Sherlockian Comedy of Grand Proportions!

[peacham · 10/10 · 21 December 2001]

Its a shame this film is not better appreciated.Its the finest parody of the Holmes Mythos ever set to screen. The stories are sent up without being malicious.Its an absurdists view with loads of honest laughs. Ben Kinsley shines as Dr. Watson,the true brains behind the Holmes cases.In order to continue his medical practice without repurcussion (Crime Solving is shunned upon for a respected professional)Watson invents a character named Holmes. His reputation grows to the point that people wish to meet him...enter Reginald Kincaid played to perfection by Michael Caine. Kincaid is a drunken,out of work actor hired by Watson to play Holmes. With the teaming of these two screen greats the chemistry is electric. Add a solid supporting cast of wonderful character actors (including Paul Freeman as Moriarty and Jeffrey Jones as Lestrade)and a very convincing performance from the lovely Lysette Anthony and the film is off to a great start. The screenplay and Direction solidify its relevence as a first class comedic romp. If you can catch "Without A Clue" on television don't miss it! Its not yet available on DVD and sadly out of print on video.

Awesome sets and locations steal the show

[wavecat13 · 7/10 · 2 September 2019]

We have here a humorous take on the Sherlock Holmes legend, with a different perspective on the great detective and his sidekick and chronicler. In this version Holmes is a clownish bumbler who gets by on charm, and the real brains of the operation are John Watson's, but he is growing increasingly bitter and jealous over being in a supporting role. The two of them goof it up and stumble into a criminal organization headed by Holmes' arch-enemy. Caine is fine as Homes, but Kingsley seems a little too intense as Watson. I'm giving this a higher rating than it deserves because I like Sherlock Holmes stories and because the production design is fantastic - I swear I couldn't keep my eyes off the gorgeous Victorian sets!

Something quite wonderful...

[Yielding · 9/10 · 4 July 2006]

A much overlooked film of comic perfection, Without a Clue is a hidden gem of a movie that shows beyond doubt the true talents of its main actors, Michael Caine and Ben Kingsley.

While not the funniest movie of all time, it is in its entirety both heart-warmingly humorous and adorable in its simplicity. The relationship between The two main characters is stunningly portrayed, and the gentle humour throughout is speckled with enough laugh out loud moments, touching character interactions and great supporting roles, as to leave the viewer with nothing but love for the movie and it's stars.

Both Caine and Kingsley are great actors, but in pairing the two together, this movie shows their skill in a completely new light. The comic timing is flawless, and while neither men have had too much experience of comedy, you would never know it from their portrayal of the bumbling Sherlock Holmes and the genius Dr.Watson in this turnabout story of the traditional sleuthing pair.

Where so many other movies have failed to put a worthy spin on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's legacy, the chemistry of it's actors and the sharp but not too wieldy script, make this a must see for any fan of Sherlock Holmes, or any student of comedy.

This movie is living proof that funny doesn't have to slap you in the face in order to grab your attention, and where many other films deemed as comedy classics may find their place in the your memory, this one will find a place in your heart.

Wholesome and funny take on classic Holmes mythos

[cybainfo · 7/10 · 27 April 2021]

Well, mostly wholesome, except for when Holmes is perving on near naked women of course!

Without a Clue is an entertaining take on the classic Sherlock Holmes genre. Played pretty straight but with tongues firmly in cheek by Cain and Kingsley. Often feeling like a pantomime and incredibly over-acted by pretty much all of the cast which doesn't matter or detract because it just adds to the fun.

Cain & Kingsley virtually just play themselves, or rather spoofs of themselves which is also fine because they're who you've paid to see right?

It feels a bit dated, even for a 1988 movie, as in it feels like it was made in the mid 70's and not nearly 1990. I think the panto feel, over acting and slapstick comedy may have something to do with it.

They looked like they had a lot of fun making it and being genuinely good actors made it fun to watch. Can definitely recommend this hidden classic.

The Crime Doctor

[richardchatten · 3/10 · 31 December 2020]

That Billy Wilder had already done such a magnificent job of demythologising the Great Detective in 'The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes' (1970) simply renders this garrulous version (in which a counterfeiters' den supposedly located in Victorian London contains earthenware jars marked 'kerosine') still more redundant.

The title, more suited to a sitcom, indicates the level of wit deployed; while the plushness of the production - not to mention the star power of the leads - simply shows up the thinness of the material. In place of the heartbreakingly beautiful score for Wilder's film by Miklos Rosza, we get a gallumphingly emphatic score by Henry Mancini on an off day. Sorry.

Funny (but not hilarious) spoof of the legend – made twice as good as it should be by the two leads.

[bob the moo · 16 March 2002]

Sherlock Holmes is the greatest detective to live. Unfortunately he is only a creation of Dr Watson who is the true great detective. Forced to give life to his creation Watson hires actor Reginald Kincaid to play the part in real life. However when the pair are asked to investigate the theft of £5 note printing plates they find themselves up against Moriarty and in greater danger than they expected.

It sounds like a terrible idea – other films that have messed with the Holmes story have not done well – but this comes off quite nicely. The switch of characters is funny in itself and there are plenty of nice jokes and set pieces. The plot itself is full of holes and never grips as a mystery for one minute - but it is more than sufficient to support a comedy spoof. The real enjoyment comes not from the plot however but from another factor.

The two main actors are superb and it's their class that lifts the film well above the material. Caine is excellent and is visibly enjoying himself while Kingsley also looks at ease with his co-star. Support from Jeffrey Jones and Paul Freeman is good, but really the lead duo make the film work so well.

Overall, it is not a good mystery and it is not what you'd call hilarious – but the casting helps raise the bar a bit to create an enjoyable lightweight film.

Of Manchurian Mambos and The Crime Doctor!

[spookyrat1 · 7/10 · 24 April 2022]

Oddly Thom Eberhart's Without a Clue, wasn't critically well received on its 1988 release and apparently nor was it greatly promoted, resulting in a sadly brief theatrical run, before disappearing into the annals of cinema history, to be occasionally resurrected since then, for the odd television appearance. It's a pity because it's a cleverly written and well produced film, deserving of a far greater recognition. I wonder whether it was dismissed so easily, because director Eberhardt, who doesn't really work in the industry any more, was collectively seen as very much a director of "B" fare, who never seriously looked like helming a film of critical substance. At any rate, my feeling is that with Without a Clue, Eberhardt did reach his creative zenith and delivered a light - hearted feature of real worth.

Utilising an excellent script from debut cinema screen writers and Holmes tragics Larry Strawther and Gary Murphy, the film takes the Conan Doyle Holmes Canon and then plays with it for all that its worth, in creating not so much satire, but what ends up being a funny, but honourable parody of the Great Detective and his loyal medico off - sider. In this version, the roles are reversed: Dr. John Watson (Ben Kingsley) is the brilliant detective and novelist, while "Sherlock Holmes" (Michael Caine) is an actor hired to pose as the detective so that Watson can protect his reputation as a physician.

The film mirrors well known real life events, like Conan Doyle never regarding his Holmes collection with great regard, in that Watson also attempts to dispense, unsuccessfully of his Holmes creation. But like Conan Doyle himself, finds he is forced to resurrect his Holmes, if he wishes to carry on investigating surreptitiously. Whilst giving respectable nods to many of the Holmes touchstones, such as Mrs Hudson, The Baker Street Irregulars, Professor Moriarty, Inspector Lestrade (a very funny Jeffrey Jones) and a damsel in distress, the production team do a thoroughly A class job of recreating late nineteenth century London.

The Conan Doyle role reversals proves to be an irresistible hook for comedy, with wonderful performances tendered by Kingsley and Caine who demonstrate an effortless chemistry between one another. They both obviously appreciate the crackling banter provided by scripters Strawther and Murphy and the range of comic situations provided therein, bearing in mind the storyline involving the theft of currency plates form the Royal Mint, is in itself, never much more than routine.

Without a Clue doesn't offer the kinetic pace of the entertaining Guy Ritchie films, nor the seriousness of the Basil Rathbone anthology. But it's well performed by the stars and offers a fresh, charming, affectionate take on the beloved characters.

A brilliant, Borgesian reworking of the Sherlock Holmes myth.(possible spoilers)

[the red duchess · 7/10 · 24 April 2001]

By suggesting Sherlock Holmes was a fictional vehicle for the brilliant - but unglamorous - Dr. John Watson, Crime Doctor, 'Without a clue' merely tweaks the subtext of Conan Doyle's original stories. Holmes was always the creation of Watson, a receptacle for certain ideals, a certain way of looking at the world: Holmes, within Watson's chronicles, is always complaining about his sidekick's exaggerations, mythologising and inaccuracies, while many adventures are left out, deemed inappropriate for public consumption, i.e. not fitting into the myth. There is an unbuilt conflict in Conan Doyle between 'Watson' and 'Holmes', which is given a twist by the real author's notorious dissatisfaction with his creation, and his many attempts to murder him.

Although Holmes is often seen as the archetypal figure of order, the reassuring interpreter of chaos and crime, he is also a creature of the fin de siecle, a drug-taking, atonal violin-playing, mad-scientist decadent. This duality was the theme of Wilder's masterpiece 'the Private life of Sherlock Holmes', with which this film shares a comic, revisionist tone, and at least one plot twist. Both films emphasise the figure of Sherlock Holmes as a role, something to be played for the public, masking a real person at odds with both role and his society.

In 'without a clue', there is no 'real' Holmes, he is literally a role played by the inept theatrical ham, Reginald Kincaid, the sort of character Vincent Price played in films like 'Theatre of Blood'. The allusion is not gratuituous - both films make the theatre their central thematic motif, climaxing in an old theatre, site of the actor's greatest humiliation, in which he attempts redemption. For Edward Lionheart, this was tragic; for Holmes it is genuinely redemptive as he saves the day as 'himself' (or a role more suited to his own personality), and earns the respect of his creator.

And creator is the word. Another motif running through the film is religion - the mystery and its solution centre on a man who reads the Bible. Watson is a God who attempts to create a man in his own image; like the first God, his Adam is a miserable failure, prey to ever-accumulating temptations. The film's best scene occurs when Watson dies - an eerie, nocturnal scene that moves from misty Victorian Conan Doyle to the metaphysical world of Borges; Holmes the role must live as a man without his creator, in a Godless world. The idea of the bible as a code to be deciphered to solve the mystery is satisfyingly Borgesian too.

These two sets of metaphors - religion and theatre - culminate in the finale, set in the Orpheum, named after the poet who ventured into the underworld (a pun here on hell and the criminal fraternity), host to Kincaid's last performance, 'Shadow of Death', a multi-reference to the Psalms, Holmes himself (one of Basil Rathbone's films) and, again, a whiff of Borges. The ceiling of a theatre, from which Holmes descends, and which constantly defeats Leslie (herself playing a role) is called the 'gods': the lighting by fire and the ultimate conflagration suggest hell.

That this rich stew - about acting; creating; the role of the popular press; the police; the link between detection and voyeurism/misogyny; metaphysics; identity and gender; doubles (after all, Watson the creator, must play a role as the 'dim' sidekick); the Victorian age ('respectable' society's reliance on 'irregular' help from 'urchins'; Watson's strait-laced austerity contrasted with Holmes' indulgence of every appetite) - should result in such a funny film is remarkable. Its true entertainment lies less in the filming (at one stage a boom glares at the top of the frame in a porto-Dogme moment of self-referentiality), the 'economic' recreation of 1900 London, or the tendancy to caricature in supporting roles, or the sometimes ill-advised 'visual' humour, than the two marvellous, gleeful central preformances, Kingsley's clipped, constipated, infuriated genius, and Caine's wonderfully lecherous, hammy drunk.

looking for clues

[simonrosenbaum · 6/10 · 8 November 2002]

This is by no means a great film but there are some good things about it. Best of all is the very engaging performance of Michael Caine who looks like he's enjoying his part, and that really comes across. Ben Kingsley is also quite good and they play off each other very well. Henry Mancini's score is delightful, as is some of the location work. It does lose steam a bit towards the end, but there are enough funny scenes and dialogue to enjoy before you get there. (6/10)

Witty movie with great performances

[daryl-3 · 10/10 · 6 March 1999]

Every once in a while you see a movie that most everyone overlooks but it still strikes a cord with you. Without A Clue is a such a movie. It starts with a clever premise, Watson is the brains behind the bumbling Holmes, and while the actual criminal investiation in the movie isn't exactly a big stretch in deductive reasoning, what makes this movie worthwhile are the solid performances of Michael Caine and Ben Kingsley. The professional reviews linked with this movie would have you believe this movie isn't worth the bother, but that's not true. Caine and Kingsley seem to be having the time of their lives in this movie. (Granted Kingsley has the less flashy role but he still fills it with a great deal of subtley that the likes of Roger Ebert and his ilk must have missed) The quote page has some great excerpts from this funny movie, but there's so much more to it than just that. This one ranks as a guilty pleasure of mine, maybe not one that sits in everyone else's video collection, but it definitely holds a place in mine.

Good Sherlock Holmes comedy

[The_Void · 7/10 · 12 August 2009]

I'm a big fan of the classic Universal Sherlock Holmes films starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce, and so naturally I was a bit weary going into this film knowing that it plays around with the basics of the classic detective stories. Well, I have to give credit to all involved as while this is not what I'd call a brilliant comedy, it's fun and entertaining and at least does justice (in a comedic way) to Arthur Conan Doyle's classic character - although that is largely thanks to excellent central performances from Michael Caine and Ben Kingsley. The idea of the film is that Doctor Watson is the real detective, while Sherlock Holmes is just an actor hired to front the investigations. However, the actor hired likes to drink and frequently annoys the 'crime doctor'! The plot itself is influenced by a few Sherlock Holmes stories but isn't - as far as I know - based on any one in particular. We follow Holmes and Watson on the case of some stolen plates, used for printing five pound notes.

The story itself takes some ideas from the classic Universal films in terms of plot - most notably The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and The Spider Woman. However, the plot itself isn't really important; it's not particularly in depth and clearly the point of the film was to focus on the 'tweaked' characters rather than tell a mystery story. And this works quite well! Kingsley and Caine have a good rapport with one another and work well on screen together. Michael Caine is of course the standout and delivers an excellent comic performance. There are plenty of jokes in the film, mostly stemming from Holmes' ineptitude, and some of them are laugh out loud funny - although it has to be said that these are mostly few and far between and the film is generally more likely to raise a smile than a laugh. Still, the important thing is that it's entertaining for the duration, and the film certainly is that. I'd say it falls somewhat short of 'great' but if you're looking for a fun little flick to kill a couple of hours with, then you could do much worse than Without a Clue.

Most excellent comic turn on the Sherlock Holmes saga. The game's afoot!

[llltdesq · 9/10 · 16 August 2001]

This is one of Michael Caine's funniest performances and he and Ben Kingsley worked quite well together. The supporting cast is top-notch as well. Jeffry Jones as LeStrade is very good and Peter Cook has a fine supporting turn. As for the premise-that Holmes was a front for Watson, given the fact that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was himself a physician and that he grew so sick of Holmes he tried to kill him off, I suspect he would have enjoyed the whole thing enormously. Twists and turns throughout, as a good mystery should and enough comedy to keep you laughing. Some interesting twists at the end. Poor LeStrade! Recommended.

Nice Try

[vox-sane · 7/10 · 9 February 2004]

Almost brings off what's considered impossible: a good Sherlock Holmes spoof. Ben Kingsley is a superb Watson, who is the real brains behind Sherlock Holmes. Holmes has to memorize everything Watson writes out about each case. Jeffrey Jones is a wonderful, longsuffering Lestrade, who seems genuinely flummoxed that Holmes beats him to every solution, and rolls his eyes at Holme's more ridiculous suggestions -- and yet is so intrigued by the success of Holmes' foolishness actually works he follows Holmes around like a puppy, trying to pick up how he does it.

The weak link is Michael Caine, who is supposed to be a dead ringer for the Holmes of the magazine illustrations -- but who doesn't look anything like him. Caine may have good comic timing, but his Holmes is utterly unconvincing (it would, in fact, have been a coup to get Jeremy Brett for the part).

A lot of the humor works, some of it doesn't, and the big climax, while having some good gags, doesn't come off too impressively. Nevertheless, it's the best Holmes comedy out there, with a solid script and more good ideas than other attempts, such as Billy Wider's "Private Life of Sherlock Holmes".

Absolutely brilliant, Watson! A Sherlock Holmes story where LESTRADE SOLVES THE BLOODY CASE!

[Spleen · 9/10 · 23 September 1999]

The Sherlock Holmes stories are full of monumental blunders. Watson's famous war wound, which moves about from limb to limb, is among the least of them. Most of the blame for Arthur Conan Doyle's unparallelled clumsiness has fallen upon poor old John (or, according to one story, James) Watson - as if HE could possibly be responsible for the all (or any) of the inanities in, say, 'The Mazarin Stone'.

'Without a Clue' is an honest, meticulously researched film that does what it can to redress the injustice. It reveals that Watson was really the brains of the Holmes/Watson team - that Sherlock Holmes does not, technically speaking, even exist. How does this get us around all the inconsistencies that have puzzled Sherlock aficionados over the past century? To be frank, it doesn't. But no theory does. There are just too many inconsistencies to be fended off and this theory is about as likely to be right as any other. It's the theory I tend to believe. At least it's funnier than any of its rivals.

Anyone who loves the Holmes stories - anyone who has not been exposed to the stories but is genetically predisposed to love them nonetheless - MUST see this film. You don't need to know who Holmes, Watson, Lestrade and Moriarty are in order to enjoy it. Or rather, you need to know, but whatever you may think, you DO know - knowledge of the Sherlock Holmes universe has found its way into the water supply and 90% of all people are born with it. That's why 'Without a Clue' is so hilarious. That's why it won Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Screenplay and Best Actor. Actually, it didn't win anything, but I presume this was only because of some footling technicality.

P.S.: I should really set readers' minds at rest by telling them that Lestrade doesn't really solve the case. 'Without a Clue' offers us a radically revisionist account of history - but not THAT radical.

Pretty amusing spin on the tale

[MovieAddict2016 · 6/10 · 11 July 2005]

This movie proposes that Sherlock Holmes is in fact a drunken idiot and Watson, his humble detective, is the real mastermind behind the investigations.

"Without a Clue" isn't a great film but it works mainly due to its refreshing twist on the tale.

Ben Kingsley plays Watson very well. He's not really the funnyman; he's the straight player and Michael Caine, as Sherlock Holmes, is the goofy and physically humorous one of the pair.

When Watson grows tired of the fake Holmes' inactive life style and drunken oafishness, he decides to go it alone - only to realize the public wants the creature he has created, and not he himself.

"Without a Clue" isn't the best or funniest comedy in the world but it works. It's likable and entertaining. I can't strongly recommend it, but if it comes on TV or you happen to pass by a copy at the local video store, it's worth a peek; who knows, you might really like it! Some people I know do.

Without a Clue

[studioAT · 5/10 · 17 August 2022]

Sherlock Holmes spoofs are ten a penny, but they never seem to do well.

This film didn't upon release, but appears to have gained cult status.

It's deserving of such belated acclaim, with some very funny moments and good chemistry between Caine and Kingsley.

It is perhaps a one joke idea stretched a bit too thinly, but if you enter into the fun of it all you'll enjoy it.