The Seven-Per-cent Solution   

By Marshall Fine

Writer Nicholas Meyer (who went on to write two of the best Star Trek films) made his bones with his adaptation of his bestselling novel, directed by Herbert Ross. Fanciful and entertaining, it imagines what might have happened had Dr. Watson (Robert Duvall) convinced Sherlock Holmes (Nicol Williamson) to seek a cure for his cocaine addiction from Dr. Sigmund Freud (Alan Arkin). This meeting of the minds takes a turn into adventure when Holmes and Freud team up to solve a kidnapping mystery. Arkin is intriguingly likable as Freud, while Williamson makes a keen and frenetic Holmes. Duvall is almost unrecognizable as the avuncular, phlegmatic Watson. Laurence Olivier turns up as Professor Moriarty, who is hardly the criminal mastermind that the drug-deluded Holmes believes.

Academy Awards

The Seven-Per-cent Solution received Academy Awards nominations for Writing (Best Screenplay based on material from another medium; Nicholas Meyer) and Costume Design (Alan Barrett).).

Share Your Memories!

Is The Seven-Per-cent Solution one of your favorite movies? What do you remember about it? Share your stories (or your reviews) with the world! (We print the best stories right here!)