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Mr. Beaks Steps Into The Punch Bowl With Guy Ritchie, Mad Orchestrator Of SHERLOCK HOLMES!
Guy Ritchie's SHERLOCK HOLMES is not a reinvention. There is nothing in this 2009 take on the iconic deducer that did not exist in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's stories published between 1887 and 1927.
So why does this latest iteration feel like a complete departure?
Credit the shot-out-of-a-cannon energy Ritchie brings to the film, which, from the opening carriage chase onward, invigorates like LETHAL WEAPON 2 transplanted to Victorian London. And then there's the grudging-but-brotherly relationship between Robert Downey Jr.'s Holmes and Jude Law's Dr. John H. Watson, wherein the latter would happily leave the former to his own druggy devices if he thought he could survive without him. Familiar? Sure. But the interplay between Downey and Law is so natural that one often forgets its debt to every detective duo that's sleuthed before. Throw in Hans Zimmer's score, which evokes Morricone in the way its jaunty main theme is introduced via slightly out-of-tune piano, and now you've got an unexpected Leone undercurrent running throughout the film.
If SHERLOCK HOLMES is a departure for anyone, it's Ritchie, who, for the first time in his career, has modulated his frenetic style in order to better serve the mainstream demands of blockbuster filmmaking. The result is an enormously satisfying adventure flick which suggests Ritchie should've been helming A-list action movies all along.
Is this where Ritchie wants to be? No clue. Is he going to be back for the next SHERLOCK HOLMES (and it's hard to believe a movie this entertaining won't spawn a franchise)? He ain't sayin'. But judging from the shot-out-of-a-cannon energy he brought to this raucous ten-minute interview, he's enjoying the hell out of the ride for now.
Mr. Beaks: The film starts off at a full-sprint. Was this your way of immediately separating your Sherlock from Sherlocks past?
Guy Ritchie: I think so. I intended it to be energetic. I don't have the courage to hold on to things for as long as I wish I could sometimes. That said, I think things pick up a kinetic energy, and then once you set a pace, you go with that pace. I just like pace-y movies. I also like rather slow movies, but my disposition lends itself toward moving. I also wanted to have a movie that said it wasn't going to be dusty, but rather contemporary. I thought this was a rather eloquent way of making that point.
Beaks: Not dusty, but sweaty?
Ritchie: I can live with "sweaty".
Beaks: It is a very sweaty movie. Were you worried you were setting too fast a pace with the opening scene, that you might have trouble keeping up throughout a two-hour film?
Ritchie: Yes, I was. (Pause)
Beaks: (Laughs) So how did you get away with it?
Ritchie: "Fuck knows" is the answer to that. This is my pitch, alright: "Start slow and build." But I've never been able to do it. I just start fucking quick and try to remain fucking quick. I love the idea of having a little more courage, saying "Fuck it," and just going with it. But what can I say? That's the way I'm playing the game at the moment.
Beaks: Was that always there in the script? Did you have to rework the script to maintain that energy storywise?
Ritchie: Sure. Lionel Wigram and I had a sort of understanding. He wanted a Guy Ritchie version of the movie, so who better to go to than Guy Ritchie? And I gave him the best of what I thought I could do. That's really how it happened. Lionel was encouraging me to go at that speed, and that's what I tried to.
Beaks: When we last spoke, you had just met with Hans Zimmer. You were really encouraged at the time, and now I see why: his score matches the energy of the film. But it's also different for Zimmer in that it's kind of an Ennio Morricone/John Barry hybrid.
Ritchie: Let me just tell you that... wait, who's the other chap you mentioned? Morricone and who?
Beaks: John Barry?
Ritchie: Well, that'll give you an idea of how little I know about people who do scores. I didn't really know who Hans Zimmer was until I looked up his titles.
Beaks: Really?
Ritche: I'm not that good at who does what in terms of music. But now I love Hans. He's one of my best mates.
What I wanted was a score that was authentic to the [London] of the time. It was a little bit Eastern European, a little bit Yiddish, a little bit Gypsy, a little bit Irish... we went for the grittier side of London at the time, rather than the posh side. That's how it came together. But we did talk a lot about Morricone.
Beaks: It does show - not just in the score, but in the sound of carriage wheels as they click across stone. There is something in the sound design that makes it feel... heightened in a Leone way. It's sort of Spaghetti Sherlock. (Laughs) I mean, it's not vaguely Italian, but it does have that aesthetic to it.
Ritchie: By the way, if I'm going to take a compliment, that's it: I love the idea of "Spaghetti Sherlock".
Beaks: (Laughs) Then I'm glad I could throw that out there. Now, in settling on the look of the film with your cinematographer Philippe Rousselot, you're working with a lot of grays; how did you keep the film from looking and feeling kind of drab?
Ritchie: I wanted a film with a bluish look to it. It's supposed to be sort of bluey, whitey, blacky... it's supposed to have that look, with a little bit of color creeping into it. I can tell you that we spent a good deal of time farting around with the grade of the thing in order to make it look like that. But I just like that look. I just like that very... I don't quite know how to describe it. Does it have a look? Help me out here!
Beaks: (Laughs) It does have a look. It's very gritty, but in a clean way. I keep referring to the film as a great '80s blockbuster in tone, and those films always had "clean" looks regardless of where they were set. So I guess that's how I'd describe it.
Ritchie: (Laughing) Good!
Beaks: (Aware that we're running out of time) I do want to talk a little bit about Robert here...
Ritchie: Why, why? I'm much more interesting.
Beaks: I know. But, having watched Downey on the set of IRON MAN 2, I was really struck by how big a part he played in the actual direction of a scene. How collaborative was he on your film?
Ritchie: Pretty collaborative. Robert and I were pretty empathetic in our approach to the film from the beginning. Robert and I would talk a scene through, and if everyone felt it was headed in the right direction, we would move forward. But often Rob and I would sit there and fuck around about fifteen or twenty minutes before each scene, and say, "Hold on. Is this really going to work?" And then we'd grill it and realize, "No, we can improve this." So we did do a bit of that.
Beaks: Did you have to do much in encouraging the chemistry between Robert and Jude?
Ritchie: Once they got on within about ten seconds off-screen, the benefit of my experience - and logic will tell you - that it's going to work onscreen as well.
Beaks: Did you allow for much in the way of improvisation?
Ritchie: Eh... I mean, listen: I'm as improv as the next man. So between the three of us, I'm up for any improv-ing. And it doesn't take you long to figure out whether that little bit of improv is going to trump what's there or not.
I'm being looked at by Laura, my assistant, and... what are you trying to tell me, love? (Pause) Oh, we've got to wrap up.
Beaks: Okay. Real quick, I want to touch on the status of LOBO, to which you were recently attached.
Ritchie: By the way, it should've never been announced that I was doing that. I'm not officially attached to that.
Beaks: Okay. How about the next SHERLOCK then?
Ritchie: (Someone in the room interjects rather forcefully.) Oh. Now I've got a whole army of people telling me I can't answer these questions. Ask me something not too controversial, like am I a heterosexual.
Beaks: Fine. Are you, Guy Ritchie, a heterosexual?
Ritchie: (Laughs) Why don't we have a drink and talk about it.
Beaks: Wonderful.
So that happened. I'll let you know if we ever have that drink. In the meantime, SHERLOCK HOLMES opens all over the gol-darned place on Christmas Day. Check it out.
Faithfully submitted,
Mr. Beaks
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+ Expand All
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YOU HAVE THE TASTE OF A RETARDED CHIMP!!!
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Ask him what he thought of Bring It On... wonder if it spoke to his soul like it did to yours.
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Merry Christmas you vulgar sonsabitches!
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I'll keep going... ask him why Sherlock Holmes lacks a decent rape scene.
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did you ever get that "drink"?
and by drink I mean did you get to finally take a big frothy Guy-load to the face like you've always dreamed of?
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I feel that if Sherlock Holmes had the guts to have Mcadams getting fucked in the ass while crying (complete w/ CGI penis).. it would seal its place as #1 movie of the millennium...
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and remember how since he said that we all still value his opinion on things like movies and in no way think he's a pretentious douche bag. Remember those things?
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Now I will have to try and use it three times in one conversation.
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Funnily enough, even though Quint rather raved about the film, it is only now after Beaks' piece that I'm really looking forward to this. Probably because I love Sergio Leone and Morricone. :D
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I must know.
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On purpose even!
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LOL Hes got a point Beaks. Looking forward to this regardless.
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Just let him answer the question about the sequels!
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JettL93, how different is the filmed version to your original screenplay?
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http://tinyurl.com/y98vhtb
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The guy asking for the autograph makes a valid point about the plot of Avatard at the end of the sequence.
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Dec 24, 2009 1:46:59 PM CST
zombieheathledger hates when people refer to themselves...
by zombieheathledger
..in the third person. ZombieHeathLedger really finds that pretentious.
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I honestly don't know who to root for in that clip. They guy in the beginning mentions that he only needs Cameron's signature to complete the cast. If it's for himself, then yeah, Cameron's a complete douche. If it's for the guy to sell on E-bay, then I can see how Cameron wouldn't want to sign it. The problem is: how does Cameron know? Of course, what should it really matter to Cameron who's wealth has got to be in the hundreds of millions of some guy makes a few hundred bucks to some fan who buys it who really is going to appreciate having all the signatures on it. So, I think I just talked myself onto the side that I think Cameron is a douchebag for not signing it. I bet he regrets not signing it because it would've made the guy just go away and he wouldn't have had that ugly episode with him and now it's all on the web (including AICN which I know he reads). And yeah, the plot of AVATAR is it's weakness.
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...is obviously a gold digger. I wonder how many minutes it took him from that exchange to making some $$$ off the video.
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You're right dude. In the final analysis both end up looking like fuckwads. But Cameron was definitely pwned by the 'three year old' remark.
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True, but Cameron could've avoided the whole thing with a two second autograph. Besides, I don't the fan made any money off that footage because I think it was shot by one of the TMZ staff they have posted at the LAX.
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I could happily have read a bit more of that. Fucking PR bastards.
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Dec 24, 2009 2:15:00 PM CST
I bet that guy in the James Cameron vid is a TBer!
by richard_gere_raped_my_gerbil
So come one. Which one you was it?My money is on Lockesbrokenleg (who IS an asshole).
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...having plant fans trying to get a rise out of you all the time.You have to be cool to real fans...and I'm sure even they get tiresome sometimes. I'd have a hard time with it.Of course I get the impression that Cameron is prick to fans, fake fans, friends, and family 97% of the time...
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I forget who it was, but some actress once said something to the effect of "I don't get paid to act. That I do for free. I get paid to do all of the other things that I have to do to be able to act." And I always thought that was a really great attitude to have. Cameron makes more money than most third world countries and he can't scribble a signature for two seconds? And how do we know the fan was a plant? He may have been genuine. Further, nobody knows better in this day and age about technology than James Cameron. If you're a celebrity or a public figure you have to be on your best behavior at all times or you have to accept that your conduct will be recorded by someone (we all have video recording phones these days) and it's gonna get posted for the whole world to see on the web forever and ever. As for if you and I would have a hard time with it, I don't know, man, having hundreds of millions of dollars would buy me a whole lotta patience, lol.
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Douche wouldn't sign my Episode I poster.
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Dec 24, 2009 2:30:49 PM CST
the_unimpressed_ghost_of_Lockesbrokenleg
by richard_gere_raped_my_gerbil
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I know fans love to meet celebs but it really is annoying when some jackass like the one in the video approaches you and you know he isn't really a fan, but justs want the autograph to sell online, or piss you off enough to get you angry on a cellphone cam.personally i used to give autographs, but about 10 years ago, i took the cue of other celebrity freinds and i only give official autographs, meaning ones that are sold for charity, or in a case where the person asking for my sig seems genuine. For example i had a gentleman and his son come up to me at a restaurant, the man's wife had passed away months earlier and he said that The dark knight really got him through the grieving. I not only singed an autograph for them, but i took down their address, made a donation to a cancer charity in their name and sent them some TDK props from the filmand as a rule most gen x'ers between the ages of 18-32 are skeevy little fanboys that actually show they like your work by claiming they hate it (thats about 85 percent of you on these talkbacks, by the way)
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..i'd be exactly the same. I'd be "You want a fucking autograph? I'll autograph it on your FACE, asshole! With bullets! I can do that shit because I'm fucking James Cameron. I created the fucking TERMINATOR and I'll terminate you if you fucking come near me with that pen, asshole. What's that? How much do you earn an hour? Fuck that, you loser! James Cameron earns that in a microsecond.Cameron out."
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if that dude is a resident of "Kal-For-Nuh" and he commits murder, good luck getting a pardon buddy
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...and that's a good quote. I'm just slightly torn about it. I'm often grumpy or daydreaming myself and would hate to be bugged all the time. I would try to be cool, but it's a good thing nobody's following me around with a camera.I'm sometimes impressed by someone who just lets it fly, especially in this age of video phones etc...since the ability to record something levels the playing field in a way. I'm making this up as I go here, but I'd say the real rule is that you should NEVER lose it on someone who isn't at least theoretically your equal. Being a prick to a child, a teenager, an older person, or server in a restaurant or anyone else who depends on you financially is always inexcusable.But like you said...he should have just signed the fucking autograph...
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This guy just doesn't give up does he? Isn't the definition of insanity something about continuing to do the same thing even though you always know the result will be the same but you somehow expect (or hope for it) to be different. (See JettL)
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I don't think 18-25 year old are really considered "gen x" anymore. They are post Gen X for sure. And now you're confusing me, I thought you were pretending to be JettLucas. Who are you pretending to be from TDK? Bale or Eckhardt. Bwahahahahaha(deep breath)hahahahaha!
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...he'll lose it for a while and you figure he's all played out...but every time you leave him for dead he pinches out another good one.Even an insane clock is right twice a day it seems...
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I like the guy's movies and all, but I know people who have worked on his films, and they are all pretty much on the same page whan asked about him. He is an egotistical prick who likes to treat other people like shit. I guess he's just another one of those "mad artist" types." And with the money this guy makes, he can afford to be. Not much of an excuse to be sure. I think it would be great to see someone walk up to his skinny ass and belt him in the mouth. He deserves it.
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Inquiring minds would like to know
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He didn't deserve an autograph or the money tmz gave him for the video of Cameron cursing. He was obviously egging Cameron on.
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Dec 24, 2009 5:03:49 PM CST
and for posting videos that piss off Cameron fanbois
by zombieheathledger
and I even like Cameron but it's been a hoot watching Cameron fanbois bend over backwards to justify his asshole-ish behavior. Like being an asshole is TOTALLY out of character for what everybody knows about Cameron. GTFO.
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That quote appearing on a dust cover makes me giggle. Sorry Beaks, no offense intended.
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I dare you to find ONE nice person an airport.
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JETT LUCAS...George Lucas' adopted son! Makes sense I guess. Deductive reasoning and all that...
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...maybe not, and in the grand scheme of things, does it really matter anyway? Merry Xmas and Happy 2010 to all, and to all a good night!!!
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This Guy Richie irritates me. What bugs me is how desperately he wants to be QT. His cockney gangster flicks were praised for being hip and energetic, but if they had been American films they would have been dismissed as nothing more than QT knockoffs, which is what they are. He's part of that generation who worship at the asshole of Tarantino, who, quite frankly, has directed one good film, Reservoir Dogs. Pulp Fiction bored the crap out of me--the characters talking talking talking, and every one of them sounding exactly the same! Great music intro, and cool start, then an eternity of wannabe cool that sucked the soul from my body. Why any director wants to emulate that absolutely staggers me. The coolest crime movie of that era is Miami Blues, way cooler than anything Tarantino ever achieved. But Richie doesn't have the imagination to be influenced by anything genuinely interesting. Hell, the best Tarantino movies were directed by Tony Scott and Oliver Stone, far superior film-makers. What does Richie have? Oh yeah, he screwed Madonna. When he was sticking it to her, he must have been thinking, Wow I'm screwing Madonna wow I'm screwing Madonna. Yeah, but your crappy movies are screwing us!
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Is there a fucking movie that this guy or one of his minions doesn't score? I'm suprised Hans Zimmer didn't score AVATAR too, to tell you the truth!
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Dec 25, 2009 6:38:24 AM CST
Mr Beaks didn't mention the evolving sensebilities of Guy Ritchi
by asimovlives
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There are more than 200 adaptations of Holmes, I think the character can be open to a little more room interpretation. Plus, the film is rather faithful to Doyle's character. Yes it emphasizes his martial art skills more than Doyle ever did, but it doesn't go against what Doyle write and is in fact, historically accurate.
Of course, I guess some people are like the die hard Christians who couldn't stand what Scorsese was doing with Last Temptation of Christ. Strict dogma I guess... -
"I'm eating crow, and it tastes delicious." (And no, Crow does not refer to a specific individual person--it's a metaphor, stupid.) I was pretty certain this movie was going to blow donkey dick. However, I have a tradition of seeing a new release on Christmas Eve, and this was last night's pick. And good gods, was I wrong. I still stick to my guns that I predicted Watchmen's failure on every level (and I was spectacularly right), but as for Holmes...bring on part 2, baby, now now now!
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The bit here when Beaks and Ritchie seem to think it's breaking new ground by starting an action movie with an action sequence. Just about every action movie starts that way, I dunno every James Bond film, Star Wars, Mad Max, pretty much all of 'em.
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"True, but Cameron could've avoided the whole thing with a two second autograph."
If this were a one-off situation, he would. But it isn't. It's what game theorists call an iterated scenario. If you do the easy thing this time, it may make your life harder next time, and the time after that, by encouraging the other agent to return again and again. It's why you don't indulge whining children all the time for the sake of two minutes' peace, and why you don't negotiate with hostage-takers. Cameron gives this guy an autograph in a random public scenario, and soon he'll be getting hundreds of people pestering him every time he walks through an airport. He did the right thing as far as I'm concerned, other than that he shouldn't have kept talking to the guy. -
is it any wonder the TB is so short?
Let's see...it has all the hallmarks of an sphinter greasing sessions...Beaks, ZombieDouche and flickapoo. -
obviously
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That's exactly what it was. Good call, Beaks. I generally don't like Guy Ritchie but I did like the movie. I was surprised. And the thing with the sound. I had seen NINE Saturday and SH yesterday. My complaint with NINE and even CHICAGO was that they sounded like they were in a can. I couldn't understand why a musical would be like that. Sound is the most important thing. And then I'm sitting there watching this movie, hearing every little noise clearly, thinking 'See that's how you're supposed to do it.' The score really sticks out in a good way. I hope it gets recognized. But I can't believe he didn't know who Hans Zimmer is. O_O
p.s. If you have that drink with him, don't turn you're back on him. Madonna's last ex-husband turned into Harvey Milk. I'm just sayin'. -
That was a total fucking setup, that guy just keep yelling the same shit because he had nothing else to go on, he was trying to get a reaction for the camera. I probably would have punched him in the throat if I was Cameron, so he had more tact than me. And if he thought the film was that shit he wouldn't want an autograph would he? What the fuck was this thread about?
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