Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that Mr. Holmes is a drama about the "real life" version of Sherlock Holmes, retired at age 93 and dealing with memory loss. Though the movie has some mystery elements, it's not a traditional Holmes whodunnit, and it certainly isn't an explosive action adventure like the recent Robert Downey Jr. Sherlock Holmes films. There are some upsetting images/topics, including a boy being stung by wasps, a man falling out of bed, bloody cuts, a woman being hit by a train, a girl with scars on her face, and references to things like miscarriages and poison. Language is limited to one use of "damn," and there's some background smoking. Although this all adds up to not very much in the way of iffy material, younger viewers might be a little bored by the concerns of an elderly man (although his 14-year-old friend could be a draw). But for patient viewers, it's an outstanding, extremely thoughtful movie about the mysteries of memory and storytelling.
Sexual
Content
Not applicable
Violence
Some upsetting images. A boy gets stung by wasps (big, red bumps on his skin) and is near death. A woman is hit by a train. A girl has scars on one side of her face (she's a Hiroshima survivor). Holmes falls out of bed and cuts himself; some blood is shown. Reference to poison (little bottle shown). Arguing.
Language
"Damn."
Social
Behavior
Shows the importance of imagination -- instead of/in addition to the value of facts. Themes include the delicate nature of human memory and the way we need to tell stories, not just for entertainment, but to live.
Consumerism
Not applicable
Drugs / Tobacco /
Alcohol
Some background smoking.
