That's the thing though, in the book canon (and good Lord I never thought I'd be one of THOSE people who talk about book canon while discussing a movie adaptation), there is utterly NOTHING sexual about Irene Adler whereas Holmes is concerned. Zero. Nada. Zill. It was vehemently emphasized that Holmes felt nothing for her except for respect, and the same is true vice versa.
One of the things I loved best about Irene Adler as a character was how Conan Doyle wrote her without commenting on her gender—she was just such a purely kickass character who did not end up romantically linked with the male lead in any way, shape, or form. She existed quite independently of Holmes, who had an abiding respect for her.
And that's another thing which didn't sit right with me about Irene/Holmes interaction in the movie—how Holmes sticked around with her and her little games. It was a part of the...humanization of Holmes, I suppose; but still, the Holmes I am familiar with would never put up with such flighty diversions (waking up naked and handcuffed to a bed? really? REALLY?), not to mention that Irene would never deign him an interest in that way, period.
Yet, I do admit that movie!Holmes is so much easier to slash precisely because of the same humanization, because he no longer wears the aura of invincibility and infallibility. He actually needs people (namely Watson) now—and I have to say, I never quite got that feeling from the books. A part of that is because movie!Watson is so much more awesome than book!Watson, but man...
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branchandroot
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Date: 2010-02-04 04:17 am (UTC)One of the things I loved best about Irene Adler as a character was how Conan Doyle wrote her without commenting on her gender—she was just such a purely kickass character who did not end up romantically linked with the male lead in any way, shape, or form. She existed quite independently of Holmes, who had an abiding respect for her.
And that's another thing which didn't sit right with me about Irene/Holmes interaction in the movie—how Holmes sticked around with her and her little games. It was a part of the...humanization of Holmes, I suppose; but still, the Holmes I am familiar with would never put up with such flighty diversions (waking up naked and handcuffed to a bed? really? REALLY?), not to mention that Irene would never deign him an interest in that way, period.
Yet, I do admit that movie!Holmes is so much easier to slash precisely because of the same humanization, because he no longer wears the aura of invincibility and infallibility. He actually needs people (namely Watson) now—and I have to say, I never quite got that feeling from the books. A part of that is because movie!Watson is so much more awesome than book!Watson, but man...