Watch Without a Clue

Without a Clue is a 1988 comedy film directed by Thom Eberhardt, starring Michael Caine, Ben Kingsley, and Jeffrey Jones. The movie is a unique take on the classic Sherlock Holmes story, introducing comedic elements to the mystery-solving detective trope. The plot of the movie revolves around the idea that Sherlock Holmes, the world-renowned detective, was actually a fictional character created by Dr. John Watson, who is the true mastermind behind all of the crimes solved by Holmes in the various novels and stories. Watson is depicted as a respected physician who is disgruntled by the public's general perception of him as nothing more than an assistant to Sherlock Holmes.

In order to clear up the misconceptions about his role in the historic cases solved by the famed detective, Watson decides to create an elaborate ruse. He hires an out-of-work actor named Reginald Kincaid, played by Michael Caine, to portray the public figure of Sherlock Holmes. In this way, Watson can continue to solve crimes without drawing attention to himself, while Kincaid can masquerade as the great detective and take all the credit.

However, things do not go according to plan for Watson and Kincaid. The bumbling actor proves to be a clumsy and incapable detective, always in need of Watson's expert guidance. Moreover, the public soon turns against Sherlock Holmes when he begins to take bribes and fails to solve a high-profile case. Enter Inspector Lestrade, played by Jeffrey Jones, who grows tired of Holmes' lackluster reputation and teams up with Watson to solve the case once and for all.

Throughout the movie, the audience is treated to a hilarious performance by Michael Caine as the incompetent Sherlock Holmes, whose outlandish theories and slapstick antics never fail to entertain. Ben Kingsley also turns in a memorable performance as the straight-laced Dr. Watson, whose patience and intelligence are constantly tested by his outrageous partner.

One of the most entertaining elements of the movie is the way it pokes fun at the detective genre itself. From classic Holmes tropes like the deerstalker cap and the pipe to the constant twisting and turning of the plot, the movie perfectly captures both the charm and absurdity of the genre. It's a lighthearted romp that never takes itself too seriously, putting a fresh spin on a classic story.

Overall, Without a Clue is a highly enjoyable movie that can be enjoyed by fans of the Sherlock Holmes stories and comedy lovers alike. With its clever premise and strong performances, it's a movie that stands the test of time and remains a beloved classic.

Without a Clue is a 1988 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 47 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9.