'Mr. Holmes' Embarks on His Last Quest in Summer 2015
Set in 1947, "Mr. Holmes" tells the story of an aging Sherlock Holmes while living in a remote farmhouse in Sussex. The movie features "Lord of the Rings" and "X-Men" star Sir Ian McKellen as Mr. Holmes.
At 93 years old, Holmes spends most of his time writing on his journals about the height of his investigating years in Baker Street, while struggling with a deteriorating mind. During his spare time, the old man contents himself by tending to his bees.
Similar to the novel "A Slight Trick of the Mind" by Mitch Cullin, the movie uses flashbacks to build the story. Viewers will take a trip back in time, when Holmes was still a master at solving crimes and mysteries. Holmes would often look back at the events that forced him into retirement – events that occurred at postwar Japan. With the assistance of his housekeeper and his son, Holmes will try to reassess his views on life and love.
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In the movie's trailer, it can be seen that Holmes spends a good deal of time with bees. Deadline revealed that McKellen shared a bit of trivia for the film: McKellen underwent "bee training course" and did all his bee stunts. With the actor hesitant at first, he shares he told director Bill Condon, "Look, I'm delighted to play Sherlock, but I am having nothing to do with bees."
According to The San Francisco Film Society, the movie will premiere in the U.S. on April 25 during the San Francisco International Film Festival. Mr. Holmes received good reviews, including one from Variety:
"After hitting a couple of commercial highs ('Dreamgirls,' 'The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn') and one major low ('The Fifth Estate') in the major studio trade, Bill Condon makes a welcome return to the more intimate, character-based fare in 'Mr. Holmes,' an elegiac portrait of the once-great detective as a senescent old man – arthritic of body and foggy of mind, yet unwilling to go gently into that good night…"
"Mr. Holmes" stars Ian McKellen, Laura Linney, Milo Parker, Colin Starkey, Hiroyuki Sanada, Roger Allan, and Nicholas Rowe.
Directed by Bill Condon, "Mr. Holmes" will hit theatres on July 17.
