Without a Clue

PG

Released Oct 20, 1988

1 hr. 46 min.

Comedy

Drama

List

62%

13 Reviews

Tomatometer

72%

5,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Brilliant sleuth Dr. Watson (Ben Kingsley) solves a royal case with a third-rate actor paid to be Sherlock Holmes (Michael Caine).

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Ben W

I am the last person in the world to notice, but this is basically Jeeves and Wooster, no?

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

04/19/24

Full Review

Sean B

Brilliant one of my favourite films fun entertaining and special when films were fun and enjoyable

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/27/24

Full Review

matthew d

A wonderfully silly spoof of Sherlock Holmes! Thom Eberhardt's mystery comedy Without a Clue (1988) brings a reverence for Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's brilliant detective Sherlock Holmes and his faithful partner Dr. John Watson, while simultaneously providing irreverent humor parodying the iconic London sleuth. Writers Gary Murphy and Larry Strawther create the fun premise of Watson being the genius private detective, who hires a drunken actor to pretend to be Sherlock Holmes, the master of deductive reasoning and keen observation. Without a Clue is simply hysterical with excellent comedic chemistry between Michael Caine and Sir Ben Kingsley. Michael Caine is hilarious as the alcoholic moron and failed stage actor playing Sherlock Holmes. His ramblings, womanizing, and idiocy is perfect comedic fodder. Caine's sense of humor has wit and slapstick alike. His timing is impeccable. Sir Ben Kingsley adds dramatic gravitas and cerebral dialogue with his polished performance as Dr. John Watson. He's able to take a joke at his expense like Caine, while remaining the serious straight man of the duo. Jeffrey Jones is fun as the stupid Inspector Lestrade, who is without a clue entirely. Lysette Anthony is pretty and playful as Leslie Giles. She gets a distinguished role as well as some of the jokes too halfway through when she shows up suddenly. Nigel Davenport's stuffy Lord Smithwick is entertaining with how much he enjoys Holmes' deductions. Paul Freeman's diabolical Professor James Moriarty is funny and sinister. He plays Moriarty with a sense of evil glee and malevolent sadism. Pat Keen is fun as a shocked and disapproving Mrs. Hudson. Matthew Sim's cameo is a riot. Peter Tanner's swift editing keeps Without a Clue's 107 minutes moving to the next joke quickly. Alan Hume's atmospheric cinematography creates a grim mood in night-time London. His style is like a film noir or serious mystery thriller, which works to give Without a Clue some appreciated mystique. Henry Mancini's score is upbeat and as silly as this Sherlock, while Judy Moorcroft's dazzling period drama costumes are lovely to look at during this mystery romp. In essence, Without a Clue captures the very personality and style of Sherlock Holmes, while spoofing his every character aspect with delightful playfulness.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I remember watching this movie back when I was ten years old and liking it. I watched it again today and it's just not that funny. It stars the great Michael Caine and Ben Kingsley, it puts a nice twist on Dr. Watson being the brains and Sherlock Holmes is a dimwitted actor. Nice premise, but the mystery itself isn't that interesting and combined with a few laughs it's just not that good. It is definitely better than that Bad Will Ferrell Holmes & Watson, but that isn't saying a whole lot.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/26/23

Full Review

kevin w

A neat little diversion, depending solely on the capability of its leads to make their annoyance with one another entertaining. Caine and Kingsley do this mostly, a competent script allowing them ample opportunity to frustrate the other ~ but the threat that joins them to one purpose, the thinly drawn if overworked Moriarty, could have been goosed up some. A little bit of fun.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I originally watched this film at the cinema back in the 1980s and loved it. During the lockdown, I revisited it and fell in love with it all over again. Such a funny and imaginative take on the classic character. Caine and Kingsley give a master class in comedic acting.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/13/23

Full Review

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Thom Eberhardt

Director

Michael Caine

Sherlock Holmes

Ben Kingsley

Dr. John Watson

Jeffrey Jones

Inspector Lestrade

Lysette Anthony

Leslie Giles

Paul Freeman

Professor James Moriarty

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

This is an amusing premise, but it is not enough. In order to effectively satirize something, you must first transcend it.

Rated: 2/4

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Grant Watson

Fiction Machine

This is Sunday afternoon viewing, for the viewer looking for an easy, pleasant view after lunch who does not mind missing 20 minutes when they fall asleep.

Rated: 6/10

Aug 28, 2022

Full Review

Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

Without a Clue has no remote clue where to find its grace, everything ends up being a lamentable waste of talent. [Full review in Spanish]

Jul 5, 2022

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Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

...a minor delight, well performed and with a fresh, charming take on beloved characters...

Rated: 3/5

Mar 15, 2021

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Creative Loafing

The role reversal proves to be an irresistible hook for a comedy, and for the most part, Without a Clue delivers on this idea, with wonderful performances by Kingsley and Caine and crackling banter by scripters Gary Murphy and Larry Strawther.

Rated: 3/4

Apr 4, 2015

Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...it's impossible not to derive some pleasure out of Caine and Kingsley's effortless chemistry with one another...

Rated: 2.5/4

Jul 4, 2009

Full Review

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Synopsis

Brilliant sleuth Dr. Watson (Ben Kingsley) solves a royal case with a third-rate actor paid to be Sherlock Holmes (Michael Caine).

Director: Thom Eberhardt
Screenwriter: Gary Murphy, Larry Strawther
Distributor: Orion Pictures
Production Co: Incorporated Television Company
Rating: PG
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English (United Kingdom)
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 20, 1988, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): May 5, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $7.3M
Sound Mix: Surround