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Post-Misery Kathy Bates proves to be another wonderful conduit for Stephen King's novels in this patient, gradually terrifying thriller.
All Critics (41) | Top Critics (10) | Fresh (34) | Rotten (7) | DVD (2)
Deftly cutting between the past and the present, director Taylor Hackford manages to establish a compelling mood and pace even though the pic lacks a thriller's true "Aha!" moment. Jun 16, 2008 | Full Review…
Deftly cutting between the past and the present, director Taylor Hackford manages to establish a compelling mood and pace even though the pic lacks a thriller's true "Aha!" moment.
Brian Lowry
The role of Dolores may be rough around the edges, but it's a windfall for Ms. Bates, who does a walloping good job. May 20, 2003 | Full Review…
The role of Dolores may be rough around the edges, but it's a windfall for Ms. Bates, who does a walloping good job.
Janet Maslin
The mysteries of "Dolores Claiborne" are never gripping enough to consume an audience, and there are few, if any, surprises along the way. But the women are wonderful and reason enough to see the picture. Jun 18, 2002 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…
The mysteries of "Dolores Claiborne" are never gripping enough to consume an audience, and there are few, if any, surprises along the way. But the women are wonderful and reason enough to see the picture.
Mick LaSalle
An engrossing, unsettling and, at times, powerful psychological thriller. Jan 1, 2000 | Full Review…
An engrossing, unsettling and, at times, powerful psychological thriller.
Hal Hinson
There are no chain saws, prosthetic hooks, apparitions or dead pets here, but you're kept at the edge of your seat almost to the end. Jan 1, 2000 | Full Review…
There are no chain saws, prosthetic hooks, apparitions or dead pets here, but you're kept at the edge of your seat almost to the end.
Desson Thomson
I was surprised how affecting the movie was, mostly because Bates and Leigh formed such a well-matched and convincing pair. Does this movie creep up on you? Oh, my gravy. Jan 1, 2000 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…
I was surprised how affecting the movie was, mostly because Bates and Leigh formed such a well-matched and convincing pair. Does this movie creep up on you? Oh, my gravy.
Roger Ebert
We should be examining this one again for daringly showcasing how men get away with their impulsivity and evil deeds. Great works of art like this are telling truths we want to bury and forget, but our subconscious won't let us. Oct 30, 2018 | Full Review…
We should be examining this one again for daringly showcasing how men get away with their impulsivity and evil deeds. Great works of art like this are telling truths we want to bury and forget, but our subconscious won't let us.
Jim Laczkowski
It is well-acted and nicely textured, but scenes of euthanasia and child molestation, a flurry of violence and confusing flashbacks, and Leigh's hard, angry face ensure that it's no barrel of laughs. Dec 6, 2017 | Full Review…
It is well-acted and nicely textured, but scenes of euthanasia and child molestation, a flurry of violence and confusing flashbacks, and Leigh's hard, angry face ensure that it's no barrel of laughs.
Quentin Curtis
A patient and mature thriller featuring a protagonist fascinating in her agony. Sep 5, 2010 | Full Review…
A patient and mature thriller featuring a protagonist fascinating in her agony.
Chris Laverty
Denso e melancólico, o filme supera suas ocasionais falhas de roteiro graças às fortes atuações de seu elenco feminino (incluindo a jovem Ellen Muth). Dec 26, 2005 | Rating: 4/5
Denso e melancólico, o filme supera suas ocasionais falhas de roteiro graças às fortes atuações de seu elenco feminino (incluindo a jovem Ellen Muth).
Pablo Villaça
Dreadfully depressing, but Kathy Bates stuns Oct 24, 2004 | Rating: 4/5
Dreadfully depressing, but Kathy Bates stuns
Steve Crum
Gothic and creepy. Jun 12, 2004 | Rating: 4/5
Gothic and creepy.
Rich Cline
A rather untypical Stephen King story, although some of his regular motifs return, was turned into one of the best adaptions of his books. Set in the grey, gloomy, yet beautiful images of the present, as a daughter returns home for her mother's murder trial as well as the colorful, warm colors of the flashbacks, where we learn about their past and the fate of their husband and father, the story is carried by its strong characters and the great acting. Although the film consists mostly of conversations and moves rather slowly, it is still gripping and captivating in every moment, the solution and flashback showdown during the total eclipse of the sun are particularly exciting. A moving, very entertaining drama. Sometimes being a bitch is all a woman has to hold on to.
Super Reviewer
Constable: Going on a morning walk? Dolores Claiborne: No, I'm just packing the get-away boat, so I can make my great escape. Dolores Claiborne is a good drama from Stephen King that translates well to the screen. Kathy Bates gives a great performance as Dolores; a woman who is a suspect in a murder investigation. Jennifer Jason Leigh plays her daughter who has been gone for 15 years. A great supporting cast features Christopher Plummer, John C. Reilly, and Eric Bogosian(the guy from one of the most underrated films of all-time, Talk Radio). Danny Elfman gives the film a great score like always. It always makes me laugh when people complain about Stephen King books not being good movies. There's been Shawshank, The Green Mile, The Dead Zone, 1408, The Shining, Misery, Stand By Me, Carrie, Christine and Dolores Claiborne. Looks like they translate well.
A shocking drama from King, about a mother and daughter and a secret. I was pleasantly surprised by this movie, and I think you will be too. I highly recommend it.
This was far better than what I was expecting. (Even though I'm a Stephen King fan in general, this particular plot didn't seem too interesting to me.) There are a few turns and twists, most of which (if not all) are predictable, but the way they're unveiled is commendable. And the stellar performance by almost every actor involved only made the movie more worthwhile.
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