The Seven-Per-Cent Solution

Directed by Herbert Ross, The Seven-Per-Cent Solution follows Alan Arkin’s Sigmund Freud as he agrees to help Nicol Williamson’s Sherlock Holmes kick his dangerous addiction to cocaine – with movie eventually detailing Holmes and Watson’s (Robert Duvall) efforts at solving a case involving Vanessa Redgrave’s Lola Deveraux. It’s a fairly intriguing premise that’s employed to mostly underwhelming and forgettable effect by Ross, as the filmmaker, armed with Nicholas Meyer’s script, kicks the proceedings off with a sluggish opening stretch that’s ultimately indicative of the picture’s less-than-captivating sensibilities – with the somewhat tedious bent of the movie’s first act eventually alleviated by the initial appearance of Arkin’s Freud at around the half-hour mark. (Arkin’s predictably and entertainingly off-kilter work here certainly breathes palpable life into the proceedings, to be sure.) From there, The Seven-Per-Cent Solution progresses into an exceedingly hit-and-miss midsection that emphasizes Holmes’ dull attempts at detoxing and the heroes’ far-from-engrossing Lola Deveraux investigation – which, despite a climactic, oddly action-packed third act that’s more exciting than one might’ve anticipated, ultimately does cement the film’s place as a predominantly disappointing endeavor that feels like it could (and should) be so much better.

** out of ****

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