Diagnóstico: asesinato

Curiously mediocre, middle-of-the-road film from director Blake Edwards, adapted from Michael Crichton's novel "A Case of Need," has James Coburn (cocky as ever, and enjoyably so) playing the new pathologist at a Boston hospital, sorting out the mystery of a young murder victim. Light drama keeps tongue-in-cheek yet has aspirations to be a whodunit and doesn't quite make the grade. Coburn's general panache is effortless, but he's just coasting through, and the role doesn't challenge him (or us) in any way. Jennifer O'Neill is attractive but (once again) underused as a romantic interest. Screenwriter Harriet Frank used the pseudonym James P. Bonner for the credits--just as original writer Crichton did (as Jeffrey Hudson) for his book! **1/2 from ****

I remember seeing this movie when I was a kid and really liking it. At the time, a doctor-as-detective story was an original idea, and Coburn carries it off with typical aplomb. Blake Edwards has directed thrillers before ("Experiment in Terror") so it's not like he doesn't know what he's doing here. At the time abortion was a pretty hot topic, so a thriller on the subject was fairly touchy. It all may seem a little too "hip" now, but I'd give it at least 3 stars.

I read that after Blake Edwards (The Pink Panther movies) turned this movie in some suit completely recut it. I can believe it. Sometimes it seems that the action sequences or suspenseful sequences are cut so as to reduce the excitement or suspense, that the set has just enough color so as not to be monochromatic, but is not lit so that the colorfulness of the set in some scenes (and the lack of it in other scenes) does not reinforce any emotion or theme in the movie. James Coburn puts on his super-cool persona, and that's fun to watch, but a super-cool pathologist is as common as a super-cool law librarian. Jennifer O'Neill is gorgeous and eminently watchable, but the way her romance is written, she must be very easy; no way. Michael Crichton (The Andromeda Strain writer, Westworld director) wrote the book on which the movie is based, and hid his name somewhere in the process like Edwards did. Quality writers John D.F. Black (Shaft) and the writing team of Harriet Frank, Jr. and Irving Ravetch (Norma Rae) worked on this, then hid their names. Many hospital drama tropes that are old hat now were fresh then, and that's fun. Should not be your first choice,except maybe to gaze at Jennifer O'Neill- better choices: Blake Edwards- Pink Panther, James Coburn- Magnificent Seven, Michael Crichton medical- Andromeda Strain, nonmedical Westworld.

Coburn was interesting as the plain spoken wild card pathologist Peter Carey who enters a new hospital brimming with problems. Right off the bat a fellow practitioner is accused of a crime which he couldn't possibly have committed. Carey must unravel criminal activities within the institution to clear his friend which puts him in the sights of a psychotic killer. So-so thriller/drama.

This movie is an excellent example how a good director can bring out absolutely outstanding performances by all involved. I think James Coburn was one of THE coolest guys ever. What I always liked about him was that his characters always had an amazing and engaging personality. Very charismatic and loads of charm. But, to me he always came across as genuine, never phony or 'put on' in any way. Decidedly, one of my very favourites.

The story is quite good too. I normally don't leave reviews for non-Genre films, for movies that are not usually Horror or Science Fiction, but this movie has always been one that I liked from the very first time I saw it. The performances are unusually and universally very good, which is one reason I feel that this movie really stands out for it's time. In addition to Coburn, each and every one of the other supporting actors were excellent! The girlfriend I really liked. I felt that she came across rather uniquely for women portrayed during that time. She had a perfect blend of femininity, intelligence, and humour that really worked and made her character very appealing, and thus the attraction between them very believable. And each and every one, even the very small bit players, played their parts to perfection. Even the film developer guy for his two minutes was great.

I could go on and on and on about each character and how well they were portrayed, but the main point here as I stated at the beginning, is that this movie shows how a very gifted director can draw out amazing performances from his actors. And, this he did extremely well, which along with the very engaging and well written story, in my lowly and wretched opinion, makes for a fun and very entertaining film! I just have to put in one last plug for Coburn... I mean, NOBODY could deliver lines the way he did.

I need to double check and I might very well be wrong here, but I THINK Blake Edwards was known for the Pink Panther films, right? But, this movie here shows truly what a master he was at brining a good Mystery/Thriller to life in a way I feel really shows his ability as an excellent director. An great example of this is the scene between the girls uncle who is a doctor and Coburn. To me, Drama is the most difficult to pull off in a movie without seeming either plastic or over the top. But, that scene between the two of them involves a whole spectrum of emotions, subtlety, humour, candor, and intensity that I feel was done masterfully.

Most HIGHLY recommended!