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They Might Be Giants
R2 - United Kingdom - Simply Media Review written by and copyright: Matthew Crossman (12th August 2016). |
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The Film
 Justin Playfair (George C Scott) is a retired judge who lives in a large mansion with his Brother and his Brother's Wife. Unfortunately, since the death of his Wife a year earlier, Justin now believes his the the living embodiment of the famous detective Sherlock Holmes. Justin's Brother, Blevins (Lester Rawlins), wants to have Justin committed to an insane asylum so that he can take over the running of Justin's large estate and clear his own debts. Justin is taken to a clinic where he meets Doctor Mildred Watson (Joanne Woodward). After a brief meeting where Justin, as Holmes, demonstrates his ability to be able to deduce what is wrong with one of Watson's patience, Watson becomes fascinated by Justin and seeks him out at his home. Initially Justin is annoyed by her interference as he is trying to solve clues which will lead him to his nemesis Professor Moriarty. Finally Justin allows Doctor Watson to accompany him as he tries to track down the Professor. First the pair make their way to a telephone exchange where Justin encounters a young woman called Grace (Kitty Winn) who is desperate to find the address of a man she believes is going to commit suicide. The telephone operator cannot give out the information she needs due to bureaucratic read tape until Justin intervenes. Justin and Watson are then chased by the police after being reported for interfering in the telephone exchange and end up at an old cinema which constantly plays Westerns, a favourite of Justin's because of the themes of justice and good. In the cinema it is clear that most of the patrons know Justin and all refer to him as Holmes. Later Justin thinks he has found another clue, a bag filled with rubbish bearing the slogan 'Back to School' on it and this leads him to a reading room in a library staffed by a friend called Wilbur Peabody (Jack Gilford). Wilbur has known Justin for over thirty years and refers to his friend as Holmes too. Watson, in a fit of anger, storms out of the reading room leaving Justin alone. However, the next day, Watson returns much to the relief of Justin. Watson then arranges Justin to come to her small apartment to have dinner and she goes to tremendous lengths to make it as special as possible despite being a terrible cook. Justin arrives late and shortly after he is shot by a hoodlum who is in leagues with his nefarious Brother. Luckily the shot just grazes Justin's forehead and before long Justin notices another clue that will lead him to Moriarty, with Doctor Watson in tow, a Watson who is rapidly falling in love with her patient. 'They Might Be Giants' is a quirky film to say the least. George C Scott's character of Justin is the embodiment of Holmes in almost every facet possible (except he cannot play the violin). Scott is marvellous as this character and really gives it his all. The work originally started life as a play by James Goldman who also wrote the screenplay. This transition from stage to film is relatively seamless barring scenes out on the streets of New York. Once the movie moves indoors then it really shines. All the characters are well rounded and the script sparkles with some witty and, at times, very moving speeches. Much is made of Justin's predicament in regards to another literary hero Don Quixote. It is often pointed out during the film that Justin sees, like Quixote, what he wants to see, and his goal to seek out Moriarty is likened to Qixote tilting at windmills in the belief that they are giants. Whilst I have referred to 'They Might Be Giants' as quirky it is also very sweet and intelligent. There are no easy answers to the questions asked by the film and the ending will, no doubt, infuriate some but quite frankly it's this refusal to spell everything out to the viewer that makes it the endearing film that it is.
Video
Simply Media have re-issued 'They Might Be Giants' in it's original anamorphic aspect ratio of 1.85:1 The print looks fine, if a little soft, with no visible damage at all. The colours are on the muted side but the film is a project of the age in which it was made, 1971. Note: The scene where Holmes & Watson are surrounded, then chased by police in a supermarket (while pursuing Moriarty) is missing. This scene can be found on the USA Anchor Bay release.
Audio
The only soundtrack option is the English Dolby Digital Dual Mono mix. 'They Might Be Giants' was originally released to the cinema with a mono soundtrack and the mix provided on the disc is perfectly adequate. Dialogue, and the film is dialogue heavy, is perfectly clear throughout the film and the beautiful score by John Barry is served well. Sadly there are no subtitles available.
Extras
None.
Overall
I have to admit being caught by surprise by 'They Might Be Giants'. I had not heard of the film before and, as I usually do, I avoided looking up any information on the picture before sitting down to watching it. I fully expected a comedy, and the film does have plenty of comedic elements but what I did not expect was such a beautiful and profound film that genuinely moved me. Scott steals the show and would have been a marvellous Sherlock Holmes in his own right and his partnership with Joanne Woodward as Doctor Watson is outstanding. It was a real pleasure to discover this film for the first time thanks to Simply Media.
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