Sherlock Holmes (2009)
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In 1890 London, an eccentric detective and his companion must confront a mysterious man who claims to possess supernatural powers.
The story
Set in 1890 London, the film follows the eccentric detective Sherlock Holmes and his companion, Dr. John Watson. The pair becomes embroiled in a dangerous investigation involving the crimes of Lord Blackwood, a mysticist who has seemingly risen from the dead and claims to possess supernatural powers. As Watson prepares to end his partnership with Holmes to marry, the duo must navigate a web of mystery and danger to uncover the truth behind Blackwood's actions and his threat to the city.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In 1890 London, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson prevent the ritualistic murder of a woman by Lord Henry Blackwood, a man claiming supernatural powers. After Blackwood is initially apprehended, he is later released and warns Holmes of impending deaths. Holmes is visited by Irene Adler, who leads him to a hidden laboratory where experiments to merge science and magic are discovered. Holmes is then taken to the Temple of the Four Orders, a secret fraternity. He learns that Blackwood intends to seize control of the British Empire. Holmes eventually discovers that Blackwood's 'magic' is actually advanced science and theatrical trickery. During a final confrontation at the Palace of Westminster, Holmes and his allies stop Blackwood's plan to release cyanide gas. In the aftermath, Holmes learns that Irene Adler is working for Professor Moriarty, who used the conflict as a diversion to steal a component for his own purposes.
- First release year
- 2009
- Runtime (minutes)
- 128
- Production countries
- United States; United Kingdom
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Guy Ritchie
- Writers
- Michael Robert Johnson · screenplay; Anthony Peckham · screenplay; Simon Kinberg · screenplay; Lionel Wigram · story; Michael Robert Johnson · story
- Cast and characters
- Robert Downey Jr. · Sherlock Holmes; Jude Law · Dr. John Watson; Rachel McAdams · Irene Adler; Mark Strong · Lord Henry Blackwood; Eddie Marsan · Inspector Lestrade; Hans Matheson · Lord Coward; Geraldine James · Mrs. Hudson; James Fox · Sir Thomas Rotheram
- Genres
- mystery; action; period
- Themes
- Science vs. Magic; Partnership; Deception
- Tone and mood
- Action-packed; Atmospheric
- Premise and plot tags
- Mystery; Action; Period Piece; Detective
- Source material / true-story basis
- Sherlock Holmes stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
- Franchise connections
- Sherlock Holmes
- Reception
- The film received mostly positive reviews from film critics and was noted for its strong performances and action-packed plot, though some critics felt certain characters were underused or the narrative was too simplistic.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 70% · scale: percentage · review count: 248; Metacritic · score: 57 · scale: 100 · review count: 34
- Awards and nominations
- Golden Globe Award · Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy · Win
- Production trivia
- The film's score was composed by Hans Zimmer using an out-of-tune piano.; The character of Lord Blackwood was inspired by Victorian interests in spiritualism.; Robert Maillet's character, Dredger, is a 7-foot tall, French-speaking henchman.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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