Rating: 
Summary: Bates is Best!
Review: Geez,this is undoubtedly one of the best modern films I have ever seen, and I am one picky bugger. Bates outdoes herself as Claiborne, surpassing her role as Wilkes in "Misery". Critics have said Bates was trying to cash in on the success of Misery by playing Dolores Claiborne,what are they thinking. This film and its characters have so much depth and detail it just can't be compared to another work. The direction and cinematography are hauntingly beautiful,a mood is set in this film rarely tapped into just by the scenery. Set in Maine, the dark and moody tale by the ocean suits the script, spooky. This is a much overlooked and underappreciated film which I would rank Masterpiece. It intriques the viewer and sends chills without gore. Just a good old plain fashion murder mystery, Hollywood should sit up and take note off this work, that a film can be superior without special effects, all it needs is a good script and Kathy Bates...
Rating:
Summary: Very engrossing
Review: Who'd have thunk it? Stephen King writes an incredible novel from a woman's point of view and gets it all right, then the novel gets made into a nearly perfect film adaptation. Kathy Bates, Jennifer Jason Leigh and the actress who plays Vera (Don't know her name!) MAKE this film. Poor David Straithairn is terrific too, but the women's perfs are so dominant, you have to remember to notice him! It is an almost mystical portrayal of how life can be for women, and the secrets that women guard for each other in their world. The score of the film is wonderful; one of the few times I have actually noticed music enhancing a movie's mood so perfectly. Beware: this is not a light-hearted flick, but if you're in the mood to totally lose yourself for 2 hours, you will.
Rating:
Summary: One of the most riveting movies that I have EVER seen.
Review: "Dolores Claiborne" caught me from the minute that I started watching it, and my eyes were glued to the television for the rest of the movie. It is amazing how this woman who has been to Hades and back can still have the capacity to go on, fighting at that. This woman who has been hated and abused still has the human capacity for our most primal and yet defining emotion: love.
Rating: 
Summary: Touching!
Review: This movie will cause many emotions!At first, you'll want to yell at Salena, but as the movie progresses, your heart will reach out to her. You'll like Dolores's attitude. The plot is good, and although the movie is a tad lengthy, I'm telling you to see it! (Don't bring the kids yet though)
Rating:
Summary: A finely crafted film indeed...
Review: Let me admit this: I have never read the book and I probably never will, as I am not much of a Stephen King fan. Therefore I may not have the same view on this film, as those of you who have.Dolores Claiborne, as a movie, is surprisingly well made. I have no doubt that this is Taylor Hackford's best film yet. I am especially impressed with the visual effects he used, during the flashbacks. He paints a vivid picture of the world of Dolores Claiborne: A world of sorrow and pain. He pulls the audience into this world and never lets go. Thus, he brings us through Dolores'life and make us feel her pain. Another great thing about this film, is the acting. Kathy Bate's is as usual brilliant. CAN she even mess up a single line? Jennifer Jason Leigh plays as she is supposed to;nothing more, nothing less. Which in itself should be considered a superb performance. And I was also really pleased by the remarkable performance of Judy Parfitt, the actress who plays Vera. Truly a great portrayl of a women who is as hurt and angry as Dolores. The scene in which she reveals her deepest, darkest secret to Dolores (you who have seen the film will know what I am talking about) is truly one of the best scenes from a movie the last 20 years! She should have gotten an Oscar! Plummer, as detective Mackey is also extremely good. Especially in the finale of the film. Very intense! However, I feel there is one element of this film that so far has been largely overlooked by the other reviewers: Danny Elfman's superb score. Indeed, this score should be considered one of the finest EVER. Right up there with Herrmann's PSYCHO and Steiner's KING KONG. And I seriously mean that. Elfman's music is, perhaps more than any other element of the film, that which creates the painfull, sadly mysterious atmosphere of this movie. He uses an orchestra largely consistning of strings with added piano etc. and hereby creates a cold, stark sound which is as harsh as our lead character. Yet, he also gives us a score filled with emotion and pain, a score which makes the audience (whether consiously or subconsiously) more involved in the story and makes us feel closely connected to the characters. He creates a tention, that to this day has never been mached in any other score before or since. Still, Dolores Claiborne is not perfect (Which film is?). The script could have been fairly better penned, especially the inquest scene where Dolores is being questioned. But overall, this is a finely crated film, which has a lot to offer in the visual department, the acting and especially the score. Well done Taylor Hacford and Danny Elfman!
Rating:
Summary: Misery loves company.
Review: First off; this is a much better movie than the overrated "Misery". The story, the acting; it all just works better. There is one "problem", though. -The casting of Leigh as the daughter. Don't get me wrong; she's a brilliant actress, and she's also very good here, but the fact that she doesn't look the least bit like Bates is a quite irritating and distracting observation. (With some good will she may resemble the father, Strathairn, but you have to be in a rather optimistic mood to see it.) The perfect choice might have been Tammy Lauren, but I guess she just wasn't a big enough star, or well known at the time. I'm still hoping some bright casting director will see the light as well, and put them together - now, that would make one hell of a powerhouse duo !. Still, this is one of the best King adaptions.
Rating:
Summary: Kathy Bates was robbed.
Review: This was probably the biggest Oscar slight of the 1990's. Bate's performance was truly spectacular as a woman who was treated so unfairly in life and by a community. You couldn't help but feel that you knew someone like her and wondered what you could do to help her. Buy the DVD if you buy it at all.
Rating:
Summary: I really like this one!
Review: What can I say, it's even better than most of Stephen Kings stuff. The involved story of a mother/daughter relationship gone wrong, and the reasons why. The plot will take you on a great journey!
Rating: 
Summary: Not such a beautiful day in the neighborhood
Review: Caring (though however crass) mother is found looming over the dead body of her former employer with a rolling pin in her hand and called a murderess because she actually did kill her abusive, worthless husband some time ago. Her daughter then pays her a visit to try and help her out and the two play flashbacks for the most part of this movie. Excellent performances and a great book on film but the make-up effects are a little too convincing for personal taste. Dismality is something one can't acquire.
Rating:
Summary: One of the Best Stephen King Adaptations
Review: Kathy Bates performs brilliantly as a woman accused of murdering her employer. That's the main plot, but there is also a terrific sub-plot surrounding her estranged daughter. The movie is absorbing with some great moments of suspense, and also some great moments of emotion. Kathy Bates does an outstanding job -- she is so believable in this role, you feel like it's real. Recommended.
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