Product: Seven Per Cent Solution [VHS] (1976)
Rating: 4.0
About 70% of the Solution Works
'The Seven Percent Solution' begins as a masterful telling of Detective Sherlock Holmes and his cocaine addiction, as told by Dr. Watson (Robert Duvall). To help free Holmes from his addiction, Watson seeks the help of Dr. Sigmund Freud (Alan Arkin). After treatment begins, all three men are hot on the trail of a kidnapper.The film is really two stories: Holmes and his cocaine treatment/withdrawl, and the kidnapping. Holmes' treatment is the more interesting story and is handled more expertly. All three actors make what begins as the best Holmes/Watson cast ever to hit the screen. All are excellent, but Robert Duvall really loses himself in the role of Dr. Watson. Clearly outstanding work. The nightmare that is Holmes' cocaine addiction is both powerful and gripping. It's too bad that the kidnapping and chase scenes are nowhere near as interesting or as well done as the other parts of the story. What would have been the definitive Sherlock Holmes film becomes instead a very good entry into the Holmes/Watson film saga.