The Seven-Per-Cent Solution

The Seven-Per-Cent Solution (1976), directed by Herbert Ross

Before he was a director (best known for his entries in the Star Trek saga) Nicholas Meyer was a novelist. This film represents Meyer's Sherlock Holmes novel, portraying his battle with cocaine addiction with the help of Sigmund Freud. Such a plot, in a film so eccentrically cast (Nicol Williamson as Holmes, Alan Arkin as Freud, Robert Duvall as Watson, and, in smaller roles, Laurence Olivier, Vanessa Redgrave, and Joel Grey) seems to be inviting disaster. Instead, the film is a delight. Williamson is perfect as the obsessed, addicted, yet brilliant detective (he reminds me of Rex Harrison on speed), with Arkin wonderfully low-key as the equally brilliant but compassionate Freud. The film's only problems lie in its mixture of frivolous and deadly serious elements: Meyer and director Ross seem intent on psychoanalyzing Holmes. Why is this necessary or helpful to the story is never shown. Perhaps it is better explained in the novel (which I have not read).

In any case, this is a rollicking adventure movie, it moves extraordinarily fast; nearly as fast as Holmes thinks (or Williamson speaks). Worth watching for its entertainment value, the excellent performances, and the gorgeous productions values. Only the weird juxtaposition of humorous and serious prevent the film from being a true classic.