Dolores Claiborne (DVD, 1998)

Kathy Bates establishes herself as one of the finest character actors in a Stephen King melodrama of the late 20th century in this Taylor Hackford directed film about Dolores Claiborne (Bates); abused widow of a father molested daughter (Jennifer Jason Leigh).

Dolores (Bates) works as a do-it-all-housemaid for a socialite widow who, now elderly, dies after falling down the stairs. Claiborne is caught holding a heavy rolling pin over her body and accused of murdering her mistress since she surprisingly left all of her estate to Dolores, way unbeknownst to Dolores.

18 years prior, Claiborne's pedophile, wife abusing, alcoholic husband was found dead in their home's well. The molested daughter blamed Dolores for her dad's death. Christopher Plummer plays the detective who is after Dolores, in the past and in the present, who makes me detest him. Back when her husband was found dead, Plummer was suspicious of the new widow; this time, when the socialite widow dies he is going after Claiborne for murder for money.

Stephen King wrote the novel that travels back and forth from the past to the present. As usual, there is a twist in the end that King's story reveals through another brilliant performance by Bates. Bates and Leigh together are a mother-daughter match to compete with on the screen.

What do you get when you combine the master storyteller, Stephen King, with arguably one of the most talented,versatile actresses of all time, Kathy Bates?
Dolores Claiborne, is probably one of my favorite book adaptations. Surprisingly enough, the other would also be Stephen Kings original story, the Shawshank Redemption.
Kathy Bates was an absolute genius in this role. Jennifer Jason Leigh performed exactly as I imagined the character from the book, just as surly and obnoxious and yet somehow, you wanted to comfort her. The cinematography was done all in blustery grays and somber tones, accented with occasional glimpses of the sun in flashbacks.
Christopher Plummer as the bull-dogging detective and David Strathairn as the love to hate Joe St. George, both bordered on being caricatures but managed to still be believable if not over the top, just a tad.
But its Ms. Bates delivery that turns this movie into an absolute gem. Her portrayal of Dolores will instantly remind you of your favorite crotchety grandma or aunt, the one who 'tells it like it is' with no BS. In my opinion she was robbed of an Oscar. Her Down East humor and spot on delivery are magnificent.
The story, if you haven't read the book, is the glimpse through real time and flashbacks of a small town murder investigation of the wealthiest resident, the only suspect being Dolores, her longtime live-in maid and verbal sparring partner. The detective investigating the crime is an old acquaintance, as he also investigated the accidental death of Dolores'husband, Joe. Her estranged daughter shows up, out of duty and nothing more, and the two move around each other uncomfortably until 2/3 through the movie when all of it starts to come out and Dolores realizes that her daughter, Selena has no recollection at all of her time and childhood on the island.
If anything, this is a movie about a mother's love. What would you sacrifice for your children? How far would you go?
Scary movie, absolutely not! Its not even close to a thriller, but a fantastically told and acted yarn letting you peer into the mind of an instantly interesting and at times lovable old soul...you betchya!

For a King movie this was a little slow, which is in itself a bit hard for you because you are waiting for the typical King thrill, something bad, fast, hard or something. This was a slow ride, but it was an INTENSE ONE. Stephen King met Kathy Bates once and decided she was a 'King' girl for sure, and he made a good choice. She nailed this one down good and hard, much like 'Misery.' She was very compelling and powerful as the career housekeeper / hospice worker who maybe did, maybe didn't commit two murders in her life.

Jennifer Jason Leigh has done some things well in her career (The Hitcher was very good, as was Buried Alive) but this was her best work I think. She is the disturbed daughter who comes home to try to figure out what is going on when she finds out mom has once again become suspect in a murder. There are other wonderful supporting actors, but as someone else mentioned before, Kathy and Jen are just super heavy characters delivering a captivating performance.

If you are a King fan and you haven't seen this one, you need to.

Editor's rating = solid 8+

One of Stephen King's best stories brought to the screen. Kathy Bates is spot on in her performance as
Dolores. The story is gripping, including a multitude of social issues ranging from murder to child molestation to selfish human pride. The characters are well written and you can help but to get lost in their lives. You feel for Dolores and the live she has made for herself and the demons she wrestles
with. It occurred to me that the daughter believes that she stays with Vera because they have no one else
in their lives. It may at some point occur to the viewer that they stay together because they share some very terrible secrets. awesome film

I absolutely love Dolores Claiborne! This is a great movie. I love the way that Dolores takes care of her husband, a child molesting pervert. I also like the fact that the detectives regularly get put in their place. One of my favorite lines in the movie is "Sometimes being a bitch is all a woman has to hold onto". As usual Stephen King has written another great story! The actors in this movie also do a great job. Kathy Bates is one of my favorites.