Title: Case Of Evil
Stars: Vincent D’Onofrio, James
D’Arcy, Gabrielle Anwar, Richard E. Grant, and Roger Morlidge
Writer: Piers Ashworth
Based On Characters Created By: Sir
Arthur Conan Doyle
Director: Graham Theakston
Running Time: 89 minutes without
commercials
Media: USA Original Crime Friday Motion
Picture (NTSC VHS Screener)
World Premiere Friday, October 25,
2002, at 8pm (ET/PT)
Network: USA Cable Network (Check your
local cable/satellite listings for channel)
TV Rating: Not Available At Time Of
Review
Reviewer: Mark A. Rivera
Inspired by the characters created by
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, “Case Of Evil” stars James D’Arcy as “Sherlock
Holmes,” Roger Morlidge as “Doctor Watson,” and Vincent D’Onofrio as
Holmes’ nemesis “Professor Moriarty.” The film also guest stars Richard E.
Grant as Holmes’ brother “Mycroft,” and Gabrielle Anwar. The film focuses
on an early case for Holmes that unites him with Dr. Watson for the first time
when it is discovered that Professor Moriarty has been knocking off local opium
dealers and developing a market for the worldwide distribution a new and more
powerful drug that he has created, heroin.
The film is beautifully shot with
wonderful Victorian production design and costuming as well as an attention to
period detail. The film has a cold bluish tint to it to go with the tragic and
cold consequences of this take on Sherlock Holmes' first adventure. James
D’Arcy (Nicholas Nickleby) is a capable young Sherlock Holmes with Gabrielle
Anwar and Richard E. Grant providing great and somewhat amoral guest roles that
do move the story along. Roger Morlidge works well on screen with D’Arcy as
Watson, but it is Vincent D’Onofrio who steals every scene he appears in as
Professor Moriarty. D’Onofrio is such a talented and versatile actor that I
really wish he would get an Oscar® or lifetime achievement award because though
he is still a young man in comparison to some of the talent I think he can
match, when compared to actors his own age or younger that are labeled “Movie
Stars,” D’Onofrio clearly outshines them as a force to be reckoned with.
These type of fictional “How did
Sherlock Holmes become the renowned detective we are familiar with?” has been
covered before with the Steven Spielberg produced “Young Sherlock Holmes”
being the most memorable, but this is more of a serious drama with interesting
implications that rise the film above the average TV movie and is well worth
checking out. “Case Of Evil” will premiere as a part of the USA Cable
Network’s Crime Fridays on October 25, 2002, at 8:00PM (ET/PT). Don’t miss
it.
Those interested in more media reviews related to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and “The Lost World” can read my review of the restored silent version, which aired last summer on Turner Classic Movies, the TV series, which is only available on VCD, and the new A&E miniseries airing in October too.
© Copyright 2002 By Mark A. Rivera
All Rights Reserved.