Sherlock Holmes

I don't think there's any doubt that I share far more in common with Doctor Watson than the inestimable Sherlock Holmes - but I've nevertheless always aspired after Britain's most infamous 'consulting detective.'

Which is why I'm excited - although more than a little skeptical - about Guy Ritchie's upcoming adaptation of the Sherlock Holmes story - featuring Iron Man's Robert Downey Jnr as Holmes and Alfie's Jude Law as Doctor John Watson.

In bringing a thoroughly modern interpretation of the Homes mythos to the screen, producer Lionel Wigram went right back to the roots - using Conan Doyle's prose as inspiration, rather than the deerstalker-wearing caricature made popular in the movies.

"I imagined Holmes as a much more modern, more bohemian character, who dresses more like an artist or a poet," Wigram explained - which explains Downey's costume of fedora, cravat and velvet jacket.

At first glance, purists might complain - but actually I suspect a lot of the real Holmes mythos will be preserved. After all, as Robert Downey Jnr himself admits; "Holmes is such a weirdo - quirky, and kind of nuts."

Downey - who is no stranger to drugs, debauchery or eccentricity himself - makes the grade in my book. He does a good British accent - see 'Chaplin' - and has that same wild look in his eyes that I imagine Holmes would.

Doctor Watson's character is reexamined, as well. Traditionally, Watson's been seen as the bumbling sidekick. In the stories, however, he was a tough army veteran, a skilled surgeon, a notorious womanizer and a pragmatic companion to the more eccentric Holmes.

Jude Law - who played the action hero quite adeptly in Sky Captain - will bring a certain competence to the character than has previously been ignored.

I hope it doesn't all go wrong - Guy Ritchie, who rose to fame with the brilliant Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, is a wildly unpredictable director. When he's on a roll, his stuff tends to work very, very well (but when he's not... well, the result is Swept Away.)

Sherlock Holmes hits cinemas on Christmas Day, 2009.