Spirit on Film
I adore really good movies, and really excellent television! “Elementary”, a fresh new take on Sherlock Holmes is such a TV show. And I make no apologies whatsoever. I rather think of the screen or monitor like opening a window on Creation. Like letting visitors into my home. Many don’t make it past my threshold for various reasons, others get a foot in, but when I rent a movie, or turn on the stream, or dial in a channel, I do so with an eye, an ear and heart for Spirit. Imagine if you will living in an outlying village somewhere far from civilization, such as it was – as most people did 2,000 years ago. There was no TV, no radio, no newspapers. No Smart Phones, wi-fi or internet. Most people couldn’t read or write anyway. From time to time on special occasions or holy days, perhaps more privileged villagers would travel to the city – say Jerusalem. They would bring back stories of their experiences and the doings in the city.
Now imagine about the only visitors your village received was when a stranger passed through usually heading elsewhere. Depending on your village, it might be a lone salesman, a wanderer, beggar, or even traveling Rabbi like Jesus with a group of follows. Someone like Jesus might be warmly welcomed, or not, and clearly some others more welcome than others. Be that as it may, in addition to news of the outside world, or tales of events in the big city far away, a teacher like Jesus especially was an awesome story-teller. People would come from far and wide to hear him entertain people for hours with his news, tales and parable-stories. Among other things, he had a gift for adapting his often familiar stories to people you you knew. To actually place you in the scene to decide for yourself what was the correct response or outcome. Sometimes there just is no right answer – just the best you can do under the circumstances.
As if my home were such a village, I am discerning when it comes to what stories I want to invest my time in – and money too. Yes, there is a tremendous amount of junk out there! Lacking imagination or real storytelling ability we see all to familiar stories, hackneyed plots, weak themes, untalented actors, canned dialogue rehash and rehash the same tired material. Not that. Often disguised, Spirit – which as you may know I define as God’s Divine Feminine aspect, is not that difficult to discern, even when wearing men’s clothing. For example, people often ask me who I think are the influential characters in literature? While I may not have the best answer ever, the character who first drew me to reading – and hence influenced me, was Sherlock Holmes. I am not afraid to admit to having read most all Sir Arthur’s books, as well as some written by others. In a way they are like modern parable-stories I can enjoy again and again.
I had actually discovered him in grammar school thanks to my love of old movies. I recall watching on some late-night movie channel – of which there were not many in those days, in black & white, Basil Rathbone playing Sherlock with Nigel Bruce as Dr. Watson – albeit transplanted into the 1930’s and 40’s from the 1880’s and 90’s. I was struck by Sherlock’s masculinity, his understated strength, many gifts of observation, deduction, reasoning, and intellect. He was always the smartest guy in the room and had a knack for making every other character seem like a nincompoop. And how I aspired to be like him! Since then Holmes and Watson have been reinvented many times, in many ways, under various circumstances. What I can say is it that thanks to Sherlock’s self-absorbed, self-willed know-it-all egoism, I acquired a taste for pseudo-Spockian “scientific method” and other male-oriented pursuits.
I really like Robert Downey Jr’s ‘Holmes’ and Jude Law’s ‘Watson’ in the recent movie “A Game of Shadows”. I recall their taking a motor-carriage ride and discuss Watson’s impending marriage, and perhaps for the first time in my recollection, became aware of Sherlock’s sadness. For all his virile exterior, he felt incomplete without Irene Adler – played so convincingly by Rachel McAdams. And there it is, God’s Divine Feminine balancing God’s Divine Masculine aspect. While a fresh, updated and brilliant Benedict Cumberbatch’s ‘Sherlock Holmes’, seemed unnaturally detached from his own feminine aspect, although Martin Freeman’s ‘Watson’ and Lara Pulyer’s ‘Irene Adler’ were startling. There are of course others.
I write today because Johnny Lee Miller is simply the best Sherlock Holmes ever. No kidding. His nuisanced performances are so rare in the realm of acting. And more, the entire cast is just fabulous. In a terrific twist, Lucy Liu – yes, that Lucy Liu, is cast as ‘Watson’. She is so good at not taking his ego-centric barbs personally, she positively radiates Spirit. There are just so many tender moments between the two it is difficult to choose one to write about. However, in Season One, the episode entitle “Details”, Sherlock admits to knowing about Watson’s ruse as his ‘sober companion’. Stunned and embarrassed, speechless, she turns away from him as he explains. In the pause as he puts on his jacket to leave, she turns back toward him, and he goes on to explain that he is “better” with her – a better man, a better person, and better detective, and yet does not know why. Duh! This is truly the message of Spirit.
There are so many moments like this wherein Miller displays Sherlock’s genuine vulnerability. And this from a man of science – the “Deductionist” as it were, whose dedication to logic, rationality, observation and so forth epitomize and personify the masculine aspect. Considering the Rathbone ‘Sherlock’ of my youth, it is indeed very positive that the feminine aspect is so well represented in such capable hands. Enjoy!
And don’t forget to check out my book about Jesus & Spirit entitled “The Word 2.0“.
Love & Light,
Miguel
P.S. I refuse to spoil your enjoyment watching this show, but I simply must say Natalie Dormer, in the most delightful twist of all, is brilliant playing both Irene Adler and. . . oops! Sorry!
