Based on Michael Crichton’s Novel A Case of Need, Blake Edwards’ film, The Carey Treatment is a crime thriller about a doctor that gets caught up in a mystery about an illegal abortion and murder!
The story follows pathologist Dr. Peter Carey (screen legend James Coburn, Charade, Our Mint Flint, In Like Flint) who has just moved back East to his new job at a Boston hospital, where he reunites with old friend Dr. David Tao (James Hong, Blade Runner, Big Trouble in Little China, The Golden China) and gets romantically acquainted with Georgia Hightower (Jennifer O’Neill, Rio Lobo, Summer of ‘42). While there, Carey learns that the chief doctor’s 15-year-old daughter Karen Randall (Melissa March) dies after a botched illegal abortion that was allegedly performed by Dr. Tao and is found responsible for her death. Carey, not believing Dr. Tao is guilty starts his own investigation and discovers how corrupt Karen’s inner circle of friends and family members are, ultimately leading to much violence and who the actual murderer is.
The Carey Treatment is a well-done, atmospheric crime drama that I was very much into. The characters are compelling, with excellent acting by the cast which includes Pat Hingle(On the Waterfront, Hang ‘em High) screen veteran Regis Toomey (G-Men, One Frightened Night, Alibi) and Dan O’Herlihy (Fail Safe, 100 Rifles, Robocop)
Warner Archive releases Blake Edwards’ The Carey Treatment on Blu-ray and I was happy with the audio and video quality of this release. The video overall looks excellent, with rich colors to the Boston scenery. Daylight scenes are the most visually impressive. Night scenes aren’t too bad either with dark blacks and excellent shadow detail overall. The release appears to have been cleaned up of any debris, speckles, and dirt. Flesh tones look accurate. Film grain is apparent throughout. No DNR or other digital enhancements were detected. Basically, another top-notch release in the video department by Warner Archive.
The English DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio soundtrack is also fine, but not due to any shortcomings. It’s your typical basic clean and crisp dialogue, with balanced background. Nothing is overly aggressive here. The music by Roy Budd’s sounds excellent as well, which does get a bit more intense and stronger during suspenseful moments.
The only extra for this release is a theatrical trailer for the film and that’s it!
Despite just the one extra, the audio and video for The Carey Treatment is excellent, as is the film itself and is worth having in your collection!
The Carey Treatment
Director- Blake Edwards
Cast- James Coburn, Jennifer O’Neill
Country of Origin- US
Distributor – Warner Brothers/ Warner Archive
Number of Discs – 1
Reviewed by – David Steigman
Date –7/24/2022