Sherlock Holmes Sequel Threatened by "Homoerotic Subtext"
- Thread starter Andy Chalk
- Start date
I think Holmes and Watson have more of a homoerotic vibe in the books than in the movie. Movie Watson is totally whipped by his fiance while Movie Holmes is obsessing over the bad girl that left him.
While Watson does marry (twice?) in the books, he doesn't seem terribly committed, nor entirely broken up about the death of his first wife, and he moves back into the Baker Street lodgings. Holmes, as I remember, doesn't ever even have a girlfriend. At no point does Doyle specify that Holmes and Watson are "involved" with one another, but then at no point does he specify that they are not, either.
Personally, I really don't care one way or the other.
It would be really funny if Doyle (were he still alive) pulled a Rowling and said "I always imagined Holmes as gay." It would certainly get attention. I can only imagine the flurry of activity in the libraries of "Christian" elementary schools as they were purged of masterworks of literature now retroactively deemed to be smut.
While Watson does marry (twice?) in the books, he doesn't seem terribly committed, nor entirely broken up about the death of his first wife, and he moves back into the Baker Street lodgings. Holmes, as I remember, doesn't ever even have a girlfriend. At no point does Doyle specify that Holmes and Watson are "involved" with one another, but then at no point does he specify that they are not, either.
Personally, I really don't care one way or the other.
It would be really funny if Doyle (were he still alive) pulled a Rowling and said "I always imagined Holmes as gay." It would certainly get attention. I can only imagine the flurry of activity in the libraries of "Christian" elementary schools as they were purged of masterworks of literature now retroactively deemed to be smut.
I can't say I have read many of the books but I do believe it's canon that Holmes was trained as a boxer.high_castle said:
*pacifist
Dammit, the first Sherlock Holmes was a refreshing movie that perfectly mixed humor, action, and mystery with superb acting tied into memorable, likable characters. Now the return of such greatness is threatened by some homophobe whoe lacks any tolerance of others' interpretations while brandishing legal rights like she created the damn novel sherslf? Simply because Roberty Downey Jr. said there was a homoerotic subtext does not imply it is even readily apparent in the film adaption itself. As others have stated, both Holmes and Watson are depicted in heterosexual infatuations through the movie, so I do not see how Mr. Downey's comment will suddenly bring about the collapse by lowering a sequel's quality and spawning some Scooby Doo Meets The Village People sham.
With all of the bloody miserable films that make it to release in the face of crushed opportunities for potentially exceptional sequels, it would be a further crime if a Sherlock Holmes sequel was to be halted on such baseless grounds.
If Ms. Plunket becomes the root of this, then I am so going God of War on the Film Deities.
With all of the bloody miserable films that make it to release in the face of crushed opportunities for potentially exceptional sequels, it would be a further crime if a Sherlock Holmes sequel was to be halted on such baseless grounds.
If Ms. Plunket becomes the root of this, then I am so going God of War on the Film Deities.
Yeah, they were totally gay for each other in the movie. It may not have been the intention of the writers, but Downy and Law totally played it as though Holmes and Watson were lovers.
Watson tries to end their relationship, and marry a woman, Holmes becomes moody and depressed and does whatever he can to destroy Watson's relationship with his fiance.
Personally, I thought that was an interesting character choice which they pulled off really well.
Watson tries to end their relationship, and marry a woman, Holmes becomes moody and depressed and does whatever he can to destroy Watson's relationship with his fiance.
Personally, I thought that was an interesting character choice which they pulled off really well.
idk...The way Downy played it, It seemed like he was interested in Adler more because she was able to outsmart him in the past, as opposed to any sexual attraction.dogstile said:
And from what I remember, there was a fair amount of of fighting in a couple stories, Watson made a pretty big deal about Holmes being a master of Bartitsu.
I have been a fan of Holmes since I was younger and to me he came across almost like he was scared or unsure of women rather than he was gay.
I always thought that they are outside his ability to understand the way people react or act and therefore they totally throw him off and he doesn't like it, almost making him a misogynist.
He's certainly not a pacifist in the books although he rarely resorts to firearms ala Batman (lol), he gets up to all sorts of stuff 'backstage' as it were and Watson was a soldier so he often takes him along for backup. I think Law's presentation Watson was the best I've seen down the the limp and the cane.
Come to think of it I don't think there is a female antagonist anywhere in the Holmes books (from memory so feel free to correct me if I'm wrong) apart from Irene Adler who he failed to catch. I think Holmes just can't 'read' women (like Watson's fiance) like he can men and it annoys him.
I always thought that they are outside his ability to understand the way people react or act and therefore they totally throw him off and he doesn't like it, almost making him a misogynist.
He's certainly not a pacifist in the books although he rarely resorts to firearms ala Batman (lol), he gets up to all sorts of stuff 'backstage' as it were and Watson was a soldier so he often takes him along for backup. I think Law's presentation Watson was the best I've seen down the the limp and the cane.
Come to think of it I don't think there is a female antagonist anywhere in the Holmes books (from memory so feel free to correct me if I'm wrong) apart from Irene Adler who he failed to catch. I think Holmes just can't 'read' women (like Watson's fiance) like he can men and it annoys him.
Fuck, leave it in. Jude Law with any kind of homoeroticism going around can only be a good thing. Add Robert Downey Jr. to that and I might go and see this film just because of that homoerotic subtext.
What? Homoerotic subtext? That's rediculous. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgJ9juE2SCY
But in all seriousness, I probably would be against a gay Holmes. It's not because I'm against Holmes being homosexual, but simply against Holmes being sexual at all. In any discussion about Holmes' sexuality asexuality seems most probable (though I can see an exception for Irene Adler). However, I wouldn't mind it in a work that is clearly not trying to keep the continuity intact, e.g. BBC's Sherlock (though that show is really good, and handles the IP well in my opinion).
Well, that was fun to type.
But in all seriousness, I probably would be against a gay Holmes. It's not because I'm against Holmes being homosexual, but simply against Holmes being sexual at all. In any discussion about Holmes' sexuality asexuality seems most probable (though I can see an exception for Irene Adler). However, I wouldn't mind it in a work that is clearly not trying to keep the continuity intact, e.g. BBC's Sherlock (though that show is really good, and handles the IP well in my opinion).
Well, that was fun to type.
"I hope this is just an example of Mr. Downey's black sense of humor," she said. "It would be drastic, but I would withdraw permission for more films to be made if they feel that is a theme they wish to bring out in the future. I am not hostile to homosexuals, but I am to anyone who is not true to the spirit of the books."
Yes you are...ur so gay and you don't even like boys.
It's like when people say 'I'M NOT RACIST BUT...' - it's like, well, maybe not, but what you're about to say is going to be REALLY racist regardless, dumbass.
Besides the 'spirit of the books' was to make money.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle HATED writing the character and only did so because of the money he was making...
So...in that respect...the "spirit of the books' was making money and as long as said movies make money they're be doing the spirit just fine - homoerotic subtext or not.
Yes you are...ur so gay and you don't even like boys.
It's like when people say 'I'M NOT RACIST BUT...' - it's like, well, maybe not, but what you're about to say is going to be REALLY racist regardless, dumbass.
Besides the 'spirit of the books' was to make money.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle HATED writing the character and only did so because of the money he was making...
So...in that respect...the "spirit of the books' was making money and as long as said movies make money they're be doing the spirit just fine - homoerotic subtext or not.
If Rosie wasn't introduced early as a potential eventual love interest for Sam I would honestly have thought they were. Seriously, the film portrayal of these two... yeah...Akalabeth said: