Review by All Movie Guide
All Movie Guide
is neutral about it.
The Caretakers is high camp and therefore a field day for those who prefer their acting performances so far over the top as to be in actual orbit. It is also, consequently, a horrible pain for those who prefer subtlety in acting, or who object to exploiting the subject of the mentally ill. Ironically, it seems that the creators of
Caretakers actually were rather well meaning; their intention was to create a film that took a serious look at the problems of mental and emotional dysfunction. That intention was betrayed by their utter ineptness in the writing and directing of
Caretakers, with the result this glorious excursion into the ludicrous. Although the main drawing card for many will be
Joan Crawford -- who does not disappoint, down to and including her judo classes for her nurses -- the true acting "honors" actually go tom
Polly Bergen, whose performance is shamelessly out of control; the opening breakdown at the movie theatre must be seen to be believed.
Janis Paige also steals a number of scenes as a sharp-tongued man-hater, and
Constance Ford gets in her own moments here and there. Crawford's role is much too small, but she commands attention in that peculiar later style of hers. And one person, namely
Barbara Barrie, actually manages to turn in a good, nuanced performance in the midst of the high-jinx.
Lucien Ballard's evocative cinematography likewise has true dramatic quality, which also has the unintended effect of making the ludicrous scene-chewers looks that much more ridiculous. Those in the right frame of mind should seek out
Caretakers for a frightfully good time. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide