Sherlock Holmes (2009 film)

Sherlock Holmes (2009 film)
Name	Sherlock Holmes
Director	Guy Ritchie
Producer	Joel Silver, Lionel Wigram, Susan Downey, Dan Lin
Writer	Michael Robert Johnson, Anthony Peckham, Simon Kinberg
Starring	Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Rachel McAdams, Mark Strong
Music	Hans Zimmer
Cinematography	Philippe Rousselot
Editing	James Herbert
Studio	Village Roadshow Pictures, Silver Pictures, Wigram Productions
Distributed	Warner Bros. Pictures
Released	December 25, 2009
Runtime	128 minutes
Country	United States, United Kingdom, Australia
Language	English
Budget	$90 million
Gross	$524 million

Sherlock Holmes (2009 film) is a mystery film directed by Guy Ritchie and produced by Joel Silver, Lionel Wigram, Susan Downey, and Dan Lin. The film stars Robert Downey Jr. as the iconic detective Sherlock Holmes, alongside Jude Law as Dr. John Watson, Rachel McAdams as Irene Adler, and Mark Strong as Lord Blackwood. The movie is based on the Sherlock Holmes stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, with influences from Baker Street, 221B Baker Street, and The Hound of the Baskervilles. The film's narrative is also inspired by the works of Edgar Allan Poe, Agatha Christie, and Arthur Conan Doyle's contemporaries, such as Wilkie Collins and Charles Dickens.

Plot

The film's plot revolves around Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson as they try to stop Lord Blackwood, a serial killer who has returned from the dead, from unleashing a terrorist attack on London. Along the way, they encounter Irene Adler, a femme fatale who is also a thief and a con artist, and Inspector Lestrade, a Scotland Yard detective who often seeks Holmes' help in solving cases. The story takes the characters through various London landmarks, including Tower Bridge, Big Ben, and The British Museum, and features references to The Strand Magazine, where Holmes' stories were first published, and The Daily Telegraph, a British newspaper that has been in publication since 1855. The film's plot also involves Masonic rituals, occult practices, and alchemical symbols, which are reminiscent of the works of Aleister Crowley and Eliphas Levi.

Production

The production of the film involved a team of experienced professionals, including Guy Ritchie, who directed the film, and Philippe Rousselot, who handled the cinematography. The film's screenplay was written by Michael Robert Johnson, Anthony Peckham, and Simon Kinberg, who drew inspiration from the Sherlock Holmes stories and other works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, such as The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes. The film's production design was handled by Sarah Greenwood, who created a Victorian-era London setting, complete with gas lamps, horse-drawn carriages, and fog-shrouded streets. The film's costume design was handled by Jenny Beavan, who created period-accurate costumes for the characters, including Holmes' iconic deerstalker cap and Inverness coat.

Cast

The film features a talented cast, including Robert Downey Jr. as Sherlock Holmes, Jude Law as Dr. John Watson, Rachel McAdams as Irene Adler, and Mark Strong as Lord Blackwood. The cast also includes Eddie Marsan as Inspector Lestrade, Hans Matheson as Lord Coward, and Geraldine James as Mrs. Hudson. The film's cast brings to life the characters from the Sherlock Holmes stories, including Mycroft Holmes, Sherlock Holmes' brother, and Professor Moriarty, Holmes' arch-nemesis. The cast's performances were influenced by the works of William Shakespeare, Oscar Wilde, and George Bernard Shaw, and feature references to Theatre Royal, Drury Lane and The Old Vic.

Release

The film was released on December 25, 2009, in the United States and United Kingdom, and was distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. The film was a commercial success, grossing over 524 million dollars worldwide, and received generally positive reviews from critics, including Roger Ebert and Peter Travers. The film's release was accompanied by a marketing campaign that included trailers, posters, and promotional partnerships with companies such as Apple Inc. and Microsoft. The film's success led to the production of a sequel, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, which was released in 2011 and featured the return of Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law.

Reception

The film received generally positive reviews from critics, with many praising the performances of the cast, particularly Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law. The film's action sequences and visual effects were also praised, with many noting the film's use of practical effects and stunt work. The film's score, composed by Hans Zimmer, was also praised, with many noting the use of period-accurate music and sound effects. The film's reception was influenced by the works of Alfred Hitchcock, Stanley Kubrick, and Martin Scorsese, and features references to The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, and Variety (magazine). The film's success also led to the creation of a Sherlock Holmes franchise, with merchandise, video games, and theme park attractions based on the character.

Soundtrack

The film's soundtrack was composed by Hans Zimmer and features a mix of period-accurate music and electronic music. The soundtrack includes piano and violin pieces, as well as choir and orchestral pieces. The soundtrack was released on December 22, 2009, and features music inspired by the works of Ludwig van Beethoven, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and Johann Sebastian Bach. The soundtrack also includes music inspired by the London Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and features references to The Proms and The Royal Opera House. The film's soundtrack was influenced by the works of Ennio Morricone, John Williams, and Danny Elfman, and features a unique blend of classical music and contemporary music.

Category:2009 films