|
| • Advanced Search • Help |
The Seven-Percent Solution | Year: 1976 Classification: Mystery / Suspense Directed: - Herbert Ross Actors/Actresses: - Alan Arkin - Vanessa Redgrave Sigmund Freud meets Sherlock Holmes "The Seven-Percent Solution" refers to Sherlock Holmes's usual cocaine formula, first unveiled in "The Sign of Four." While Holmes cocaine usage, which was legal at the time, never played such a huge role in the original stories, author Nicholas Meyer used it as the basis for his novel on which this film is based. In this story, Holmes's usage has blossomed into a full-blown addiction, from which he must soon free himself or die. His friend, Dr. Watson, lures Holmes to Vienna to meet with famed researcher Sigmund Freud who will help break his addiction. It is an interesting premise, and in theory no more off the mark than Sherlock Holmes's showdown with Jack the Ripper in the excellent film "Murder by Decree." There are some pretty extreme liberties taken with the characters, and hardcore fans might be shockingly disappointed. As a Holmes story, it is mediocre at best. The writers do not seem to have the necessary flair for detection that makes Holmes so interesting and invincible, and the threaded mystery and expositions are a bit lame. The inclusion of practically every character from the Holmes cannon is a distracting as well. They are all here, Moriarty, Mycroft and even Toby, although they haven't all been cast in their usual roles. A hodgepodge of everything has been packed in, some without rhyme or reason. One gets the feeling that the director was not very familiar with the original Sherlock Holmes stories. As a character study, the film works well, and the scenes with Freud, Watson and Holmes are very enjoyable. Robert Duvall makes a surprisingly excellent Watson, coming off as far more capable than Nicol Williamson (Merlin in "Excalibur") as Sherlock Holmes. Alan Arkin is also excellent as Sigmund Freud, supplying a steady hand to the shaky addict. Sir Laurence Olivier peeks in as Professor Moriarty, in a part that is far too small. All in all, "The Seven-Percent Solution" was a quirky film that I enjoyed watching, but I don't feel the need to own. It takes a few too many liberties with the characters, and the mystery is sub-par. It would have made an excellent 1/2 hour television episode, but is stretched too thin here. An absolutely fascinating movie It's the only Sherlock Holmes movie I have ever thoroughly enjoyed. It's funny, intriguing, clever and even romantic. It takes a lot of liberties with the characters, both the fictional and the real ones, but it ennobles and humanizes them in the process, so fans of both can have nothing to complain about. The scene where Holmes and Watson chase someone into a brothel and Holmes says something like "Don't look Watson. The Queen wouldn't like it" is priceless. The psychoanalysis that is done by Freud to Sherlock Holmes is one of those magical moments in life, when everything seems to come together and make sense through the witchcraft of psychology. That doesn't mean that that's the way it is in real d non-anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1) transfer & an digitally remastered-Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. DVD has an Commentary Track by Lustig & actors:Forster, Williamson & Frank Pesce. DVD also has Trailers & Production Stills. It`s worth seeing for the Performances of Forster, Williamson is Quite Good also & Especially-Strode`s brief role. Good Music Score by Jay Chattaway (Missing in Action, Silver Bullet, T.V.`s Enterprise). Written by Richard Vetere (The Third Miracle, Which it`s also Based on his Novel). Panavision. Grade:B+. Buy The Seven Percent Solution at Amazon.com Buy posters at Allposters.com Jamster - the latest ringtones for your phone!  Search with Walhello on the Internet on The Seven Percent Solution Search with the Priority Search Engine on The Seven Percent Solution This page in other languages: Suomeksi | Nederlands | Deutsch
|
