Rating: 
Summary: Sigmund Freud meets Sherlock Holmes
Review: "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.
Rating:
Summary: Sigmund Freud meets Sherlock Holmes
Review: "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.
Rating:
Summary: Sigmund Freud meets Sherlock Holmes
Review: "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.
Rating: 
Summary: About 70% of the Solution Works
Review: '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.
Rating:
Summary: About 70% of the Solution Works
Review: '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.
Rating:
Summary: True to the spirit of Sherlock Holmes
Review: In my opinion, this is probably the best Sherlock Holmes film ever made, and one of only a couple that ring true as being faithful to the spirit of the original stories. This is no Hollywood butchery pitting Sherlock Holmes against Jack the Ripper or Dracula, but a truly excellent film. The story centers around a cocaine-addicted Sherlock Holmes beginning to lose touch with reality, and the effort by Watson to save him from this fate by recruiting the aid of none other than Sigmund Freud. The three lead actors are thoroughly outstanding. This is especially true for Robert Duvall as Dr. Watson, who is really the lynch-pin of the film. It is a pleasure to see Dr. Watson portrayed well (a doctor and accomplished chronicler after all!) instead of nothing more than the stereotypical bumbling oaf. The story is compelling and entertaining with action and humor in just the right measures. Tennis, fencing, and high-speed chases (by train)! I can imagine that some Holmes purist might take exception to film, but I think that this original flight of fancy is far better than anything out of Hollywood based on stories that Conan Doyle did write. And the film itself even takes a bit of a bow to the Holmes mythos and Doyle's own designs. I won't give it away, but just listen the last lines in the film as Holmes says goodbye to Watson. As to the quality of the DVD, however, this one is unexceptional. Just try to let yourself enjoy this 5-star film and don't get too caught up in the media (still, to be fair, the DVD has too lose a star because of the DVD, even if the film itself is great). This is an off-beat Sherlock Holmes film that rings true. If you're looking for pure fare, just the way Doyle wrote it, look for something by the BBC, such as the Jeremy Brett series of the past decade. If you like this film, try "They Might Be Giants" starring George C. Scott. It, too, is a bit of a 'strange' Sherlock Holmes film that nevertheless seems right.
Rating:
Summary: True to the spirit of Sherlock Holmes
Review: In my opinion, this is probably the best Sherlock Holmes film ever made, and one of only a couple that ring true as being faithful to the spirit of the original stories. This is no Hollywood butchery pitting Sherlock Holmes against Jack the Ripper or Dracula, but a truly excellent film. The story centers around a cocaine-addicted Sherlock Holmes beginning to lose touch with reality, and the effort by Watson to save him from this fate by recruiting the aid of none other than Sigmund Freud. The three lead actors are thoroughly outstanding. This is especially true for Robert Duvall as Dr. Watson, who is really the lynch-pin of the film. It is a pleasure to see Dr. Watson portrayed well (a doctor and accomplished chronicler after all!) instead of nothing more than the stereotypical bumbling oaf. The story is compelling and entertaining with action and humor in just the right measures. Tennis, fencing, and high-speed chases (by train)! I can imagine that some Holmes purist might take exception to film, but I think that this original flight of fancy is far better than anything out of Hollywood based on stories that Conan Doyle did write. And the film itself even takes a bit of a bow to the Holmes mythos and Doyle's own designs. I won't give it away, but just listen the last lines in the film as Holmes says goodbye to Watson. As to the quality of the DVD, however, this one is unexceptional. Just try to let yourself enjoy this 5-star film and don't get too caught up in the media (still, to be fair, the DVD has too lose a star because of the DVD, even if the film itself is great). This is an off-beat Sherlock Holmes film that rings true. If you're looking for pure fare, just the way Doyle wrote it, look for something by the BBC, such as the Jeremy Brett series of the past decade. If you like this film, try "They Might Be Giants" starring George C. Scott. It, too, is a bit of a 'strange' Sherlock Holmes film that nevertheless seems right.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent psychological drama about Holmes and his addiction
Review: In this entertaining mystery/drama, Sherlock Holmes' addiction to cocaine, his distrust of women, his passion for justice, and his fixation with Moriarity as nemesis are woven together in a terrific story. Graced with a stellar ensemble cast, including a brilliant turn by Alan Arkin as Sigmund Freud, the movie fills the gap between Doyle's original "Final Problem" and "Empty Room". A must-see for students of psychology as well as fans of Sherlock Holmes.
Rating: 
Summary: An absolutely fascinating movie
Review: 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 life or that you walk away for sure with the "explanation" to the conundrum that is Sherlock Holmes. It simply means that, as the Italian expression goes, if they are not right, they have made a very good point.
Rating:
Summary: An absolutely fascinating movie
Review: It's the only Sherlock Holmes-inspired movie I have ever thoroughly enjoyed. It's funny, intriguing, clever and even romantic. It takes a lot of poetic liberties with the characters, both the fictional (Sherlock & co) and the real ones (Sigmund Freud), but it ennobles and humanizes them, so fans of both can have nothing to complain about. The movie does something very interesting: Freud psychoanalyzes Sherlock and 'explains' him.If only it was that easy in real life...but you know that you can never walk away with a full proof 'explanation' to the conundrum that is Sherlock Holmes. Still, as the saying goes, if they did not get it right, they have made a very good point.
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