Dolores Claiborne

Starring:Kathy Bates, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Judy Parfitt, Christopher Plummer, David Strathairn, Eric Bogosian, John C. Reilly, Ellen Muth, Bob Gunton, Roy Cooper, Wayne Robson, Ruth Marshall, Weldon Allen, Tom Gallant, Kelly Burnett, Matt Appleby, Thomas Skinner, Vernon Steel, Taffara Jessica Stella Murray, Susan Lane
Director: Taylor Hackford
Studio: Warner Home Video
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

Dark secrets, family torments, and two murders swirl around the stoic, hardened figure of Dolores Claiborne (Kathy Bates), a housekeeper accused of murdering her employer of 22 years. Then there was that timely accident that took Dolores's husband (David Strathairn) during the solar eclipse of 1975. Yet with all the somber suffering that follows Dolores like a miasma of pain, none of it compares with the heartache of a relationship she has with her grown daughter (Jennifer Jason Leigh). Although this flick is rife with horror, it is not of the supernatural kind, but rather of the torment only real people can impose on one another. The script is full of colorful language, and director Taylor Hackford successfully weaves several plot threads and psychological dilemmas throughout this engrossing tale without diminishing any of them. He not only culls intense performances from his cast, but he also brings to life the landscape around them. When the film's best-kept secret is finally given up, it occurs under the surreal backdrop of a solar eclipse that is a truly sensational bit of cinematography. --Rochelle O'Gorman

Customer Reviews:

Great Movie. Expected from Kathy Bates.......2007-06-10

What can be said. One of the better movies or our times.

Dolores Clairborne Reviewed.......2007-05-14

Kathy Bates proves once again her status as an outstanding actress with her role as Dolores Clairborne.

Dolores Claiborne.......2007-04-13

If you haven't seen this movie you're missing out. One of Kathy Bates best performances, even better than "Misery".

Excellent Casting and a Compelling Story.......2007-02-27

What I find especially creepy about this movie is that this reminded me of people who I know that are not unlike the undesirable characters in this movie, especially the worthless husband of Dolores, played absolutely perfectly by David Strathairn. What an outstanding performance! Everyone in this movie is outstanding and the casting was perfect. When you can see people you have known in the characters, that means this was a convincing movie and seemed very real. Cathy Bates deserved an Oscar for her performance in this; she has never been better. Was surprised this was based on a Stephen King novel, as I don't care much for most of his work in the horror genre. Of course this not a horror movie. There are a couple of "uncomfortable" scenes that you might not want your younger ones seeing, since part of the plot involves sexual child abuse (father and daughter). The weakest person in the movie was Jennifer Jason Leigh, but it seems to me that she did a more than passable job in her role. Could there have been someone better than her? Maybe, but they could have easily picked someone who couldn't handle that role as well as Leigh did. Judy Parfitt as the aging, sick Vera also did an outstanding job. Not much to find fault with in this movie.

"Sometimes Dolores, an accident can be an unhappy woman's best friend".......2007-02-01

This film is an adaptation of a Stephen Kings novel of the same title and among with "Stand By Me" and "Dead Zone" is one of my favorite films based on the master of horrors' writings. Ironically, all three books (and the movies) don't belong to horror genre. They are the combination of many genres, including crime, drama, and thriller. "Dolores Claiborne" which is the story told by its main character explores many difficult subjects - failed marriages that result in dysfunctional families, relationship between a mother and a daughter and how far would a mother go to protect her child.

Dolores Claiborne works for many years as a maid for wealthy and demanding Vera Donovan and after Vera's suspicious death is accused of murdering her employer. Det. John Mackey (Christopher Plumber), the shrewd investigator is absolutely sure that Dolores not only murdered Vera who left her a fortune but is also guilty of murdering her husband many years ago but never was charged for that crime. Dolores's daughter Selena (Jennifer Jason Leigh), a successful reporter who had not talked to her mother for years comes from New York City to cover the story. Who is Dolores - a greedy monster and a murderer or an unhappy woman for whom an accident is sometimes a best friend? Kathy Bates received the Oscar for her portrayal of a psychotic nurse in another King's adaptation, "Misery" but I believe that Dolores Claiborne is her best role. She carries the film and I don't think that any other actress could fit the part as well as Bates did which brings the question - maybe King wrote the book with her in mind, who knows? Judy Parfitt is extremely well cast as Vera Donovan, an arrogant ice queen, who was capable of understanding and care for Dolores and her daughter and who knew too well about loneliness and despair. David Strathairn deserves high praise for his Joe St. George, Dolores's abusive husband and Selena's father from hell.

Average customer rating:

Great Movie. Expected from Kathy Bates
Dolores Clairborne Reviewed
Dolores Claiborne
Excellent Casting and a Compelling Story
"Sometimes Dolores, an accident can be an unhappy woman's best friend"

Dolores Claiborne [Region 2]
Starring: Kathy Bates , Jennifer Jason Leigh , Judy Parfitt , Christopher Plummer , and David Strathairn
Director: Taylor Hackford
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Thrillers | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video