O Irmão mais Esperto de Sherlock Holmes

All right I take that back. This may not have been the first movie I ever saw (I think that was either "Return of the Jedi" or "The Rescue Rangers"), but this was the first movie I remember enjoying thoroughly. This is the bonding film for my dad and I. He used to quote Madeline Kahn's lines all the time while we were growing up ("I have a little dimple on my cheek ..."). Like my impassioned review of Wonka for IMDb, I'm again very partial to the acting of Gene Wilder, who I believe is one of American's all-time comic gems. He was a master of body comedy. Just look at him when he finds Zero Mostel kissing a client in "The Producers." I love this movie because it is so absurd. I remember thinking that as a child, but watching it now, do I really understand. I guess a lot of people didn't "get it" because the movie was so unconventional. Wilder's acting as Sherlock (or as he puts it "Sheer-Luck") Holmes's younger brother is funny as hell, but Marty Feldman as a cross-eyed detective? Even better. And the other casting is fantastic too - Kahn, Leo McKern, Dom DeLuise and Roy Kinnear all act brilliantly.

This movie will always mean more to me than most people. However, I urge you to see it if you always wanted to or never even heard about it, because I believe you will definitely take something positive away from it.

If you are a fan of Gene Wilder or Mel Brooks' comedies, you will love this movie! Within the first 10 minutes of watching this film, I was in tears. You might need to watch it a few times, as some scenes require multiple viewings in order to pick up on the layer upon layer of comic genius contained within. Absolutely hilarious. Not quite the classic that Young Frankenstein was, but in the same class, to be sure. I doubt it has any mainstream appeal these days, but then again... what does that tell you?

Well, Gene Wilder assembled a fine cast for a comedy; some comedy arises - if fitfully - from their interactions. In their antics Wilder, Feldman and DeLuise are passable if hardly inspired and the venerable talents represented by John Le Mesurier and Leo McKern are scarcely touched upon, but Madeline Kahn is wonderfully oddball. This was the first time I had seen her in anything and, I must say, she is a wonderfully deft, uncanny comedienne; so singular and alluring. Glancing over her filmography, it seems a crying shame that she was continually relegated to supporting status and didn't get many - if any - genuine lead roles.

Whilst some relatively unconnected hi-jinks do impress, the film's Achilles heel is that there is little structure, with gags of almost exclusively physical nature dominating - perhaps overbalancing the brew - and the odd non sequitur impressing. The use of song and such like is undeniably similar to that of Mel Brooks, and indeed the numbers accorded Ms Kahn are appropriately exuberant. But, Wilder's script and, shall we say, laissez faire direction, are ultimately to blame for the film's failings: the use of the Sherlock Holmes mythos is rather too minimal and little impression or flavour is given of the Holmes stories, in what purports to be a spoof.

Leo McKern, a quite splendid actor, does very well with what he is given, but what he is given is scant, and he is seldom gainfully employed; it is a shame that more room in the film could not have been allocated to such an enjoyable, twinklingly august actor. Roughly the same goes for Le Mesurier. What does, however, impress is a certain degree of comic aptitude, displayed *just enough* by the cast, making hay with the isolated flashes of inspiration in the script.

The film indeed never quite outstays its welcome, although at times is tiresome when gags fall flat - as too often they do. So often it is terribly frustrating, when considering the calibre of those involved, to think of the film this could well have been... As it stands it is merely a mildly enjoyable, amiable film; 'inconsequential and slapdash' some sharp pens would justifiably inscribe, but I feel it deserves my indulgence - most specifically because of the glorious Madeline Kahn.

Gene Wilder became the first (soon to be followed by Marty Feldman and Dom DeLuise) to jump into the director's chair after successful collaborations with Mel Brooks. His debut as writer/director is "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother" which is a hit and miss comedy with more misses then hits.

The idea is interesting enough with the great detective having a younger, jealous brother. Sigi (Wilder) refers to his famous older brother as Sheer-luck and it's a classic moment that makes one yearn for more throughout. Wilder certainly borrows enough from Brooks (characters break out in song unexpectedly; modern items pop up in this period piece) but he strains to get the laughs. Marty Feldman is amusing as Sigi's sidekick but Madeline Kahn is wasted as the heroine.

The other major flaw is the story itself. The mystery isn't much of one in the first place so we never really get caught up in it. Wilder relies too much on the sight gags to sustain ones interest.

The bottom line is Wilder has made a lesser Mel Brooks film when he should have brought Brooks on board and perhaps turned this mediocre comedy into something more. As it is it may be amusing but without Brooks at his side amusing just isn't enough.

I suppose it's possible that the movie for some reason works better on TV than on the big screen, but I thought this movie was extremely funny and superior to better known movies by the likes of Mel Brooks. This was Gene Wilder and Marty Feldman in their prime. Very silly, very funny.