Rating: 
Summary: Highly Worthwhile; Intelligent writing and performances.
Review: Delores Claiborne (Kathy Bates) is a long-suffering (but still a strong, feisty) woman who is accused of murdering a woman she worked for in the past, and her estranged daughter, a reporter named Selena (Jennifer Jason Leigh) hears about the news, and as a result, is reunited with her mother to find out the truth. The reunion of the two causes both to reexamine past traumas that possibly should have been faced and expurgated ages ago, and as these painful memories are brought to the surface, things are never quite the same between the two -- especially for Selena, who seemed to have forgotten -- and/or wished she had forgotten certain experiences, which have caused her to become a somewhat closed-off, pill-popping woman who clearly seemed to have been suffering from some underlying psychologial issues.While Delores is being accused of the current murder of her employer, a detective played by Christopher Plummer takes the case, and doggedly harasses Dolores, as he stubbornly adheres to the everlasting belief that she also murdered her husband in the past. While based on a Stephen King novel, I'm strongly hesitant to tag this movie a horror flick as many others do in other places. Instead, I call this a mystery/suspense/drama. The dialogue is fairly complex, as many layers are uncovered regarding the psychological natures of Delores, Selena and other characters. As the scenes, dialogue and time progress, more and more things seem to unravel, up until the very end, when two disturbingly primal events are uncovered: one regarding Delores, and the other regarding Selena. From there, the story takes an unpredictable twist (which I will not reveal), but it's quite revelatory in how it all connects. Kathy Bates shines here as the foul-mouthed, spunky woman who bears the least amount of shame with her personality, and it doesn't seem like much of a stretch for Kathy herself. Jennifer Jason Leigh excellently and convincingly portrays the beautiful, intriguing, yet troubled and vulnerable Selena. The scenes which take place in New England (as to be expected from S. King), maintain an atmospheric presence throughout the movie, as the events of the present feature landscapes shot in a beautifully melancholic, fog-like, autumnal blue shade, while the past events feature landscapes shot in a burnt orange color, which can only be comparable to that of a mid-autumn leaf. Pretty ironic, but it works quite well. Both aspects of this technique add an extra amount of depth and sincerity to the story. Also worth noting are what seem like New England accents, used by Kathy Bates (and selected others), which help to give the characters a homebred authenticity. A film that possibly deserves more credit than it gets. Excellent story, excellent acting, excellent atmospherics and excellently written, I don't think I can name many (if any) flaws in this film. I highly enjoy this film. Recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: Little Tall Island's most famous citizen
Review: Based on the novel, of the same name, by Stephen King, the movie is given more weight because of its 2 leading ladies. Dolores Claiborne (Kathy Bates) is accused of killing a town socialite, a person whom she has worked for, for quite a long time. Delores's daughter, Selena (Jennifer Jason Leigh), goes home to find out if her estranged mother is guilty. When Selena arrives, both women are forced to confront their difficult past. It is only a matter of time before the painful truth is revealed. Actor Christopher Plummer gives a noteworthy performance as an investigator, who only wants to see Claiborne convicted of murder, to settle an old score between them. The movie is pretty faithfull to its source material. Bates and Leigh are amazing as mother and daughter. Their scenes together are intense and very realistic. Directed by Taylor Hackford, (Devil's Advocate) the film is engaging from begining to end. The DVD has minimal extras. There are some production notes and a commentary from Hackford. In my opinion, Hackford's track, is somewhat wordy and winded. As is the case with the Advocate track, he tends to repeat himself a lot. He barely stops to take a breather. Still. that complaint aside, do not miss out on this well acted psychological thriller/drama, born from the mind of Stephen King
Rating:
Summary: two murders told in flashback
Review: The movie opens with what sounds like a fight and an elderly woman falling violently down the stairs. Dolores Claiborne (Kathy Bates) races down the steps, ransacks the kitchen and returns with a rolling pin. Poised to strike, she is caught by the mailman who has entered the house to deliver packages. Dolores' estranged daughter Selena is summoned from NYC -- she has not visited in 15 years, ever since her own father died "in misadventure" although she suspects the killer was Dolores. From here, the story of Dolores' relationships with both of her "victims" (her husband and her former employer, for whom she worked as a maid) is told in flashbacks. Particularly bad is her relationship with her husband, but how and why she finally decides to get rid of him is far more complicated than "why didn't she just leave"? Christopher Plummer has a great role as the detective who is convinced Dolores got off too easy for her husband's death in 1975 and is determined that she pat double now. It's a far cry from when he was a captain with 7 children in "The Sound of Music"!
Rating:
Summary: STUNNING -- SHOULD HAVE WON OSCARS!
Review: WOW...I won't go into any more detail than the previous reviewers did, as they have summed up my feelings too on this remarkable, underappreciated and underrated movie. Oscars should have gone to director Taylor Hackford, the cinematographer, Danny Elfman's haunting score, and the acting, oh my. Of course, Kathy Bates is overwhelming; Jennifer Jason Leigh has never been better; Christopher Plummer certainly sheds his "Sound of Music" persona; Judy Parfit is unbelievably effective as bitchy Vera, but her portrayal is so dimensional that we come to care for her; Ms. Parfit's scene with the pig musicbox playing "Happy Days Are Here Again" is brilliant. Also superb is Ellen Muth, who plays the young Selena, and John Reilly as the sheriff, who stands up to Plummer's state detective. Of course, one can't overlook David Straitharn as Dolores' cruel and abusive husband. His performance is so convincing that I don't think I'll like him in anything! My only regret is I didn't see this one earlier. Can we go back and do the 1995 Oscars over??
I loved this movie!!!! Stephen King should rank this and "The Green Mile" as his crowning adapted movies!
Rating:
Summary: A Beautiful Piece of Moviemaking
Review: Dolores Clairborne is one of the best American films of recent years, and certainly one the most underlooked and underrated films.
The film has it all: a dark thriller a domestic tragedy, story about friendships,about psychological traumas, about revenge and obsessions, with each character brilliantly written and developed.
Jennifer Jason Leigh, Judy Parfitt, David Strathain and Christopher Plummer give very powerful performances, but the film goes to Kathy Bates, who is simply the best working actress in the US. Her presence is just mesmerizing, and as much as her performance in Misery and Fried Green Tomatoes.. was brilliant, in Dolores Claiborne she really excels!!
The film is over two hours, but the moment it opens, with an excellent haunting score by Danny Elfman,you will be transported on a dark journey that touches your heart, mind and soul and it will seem like few minutes have passed, after reading the end credits.
Hackford's CV was 'studio' oriented to say the least, but in Dolores Clairborne, you discover an artist, who is capable of offering his viewer an intimate story with a lot of sensitivity.
The visual transition between present and past which happens quite often, is very original, and adds to the power of the story.
The DVD, although short on the extras, it has a very pleasent and unique surprise..a audio commentary by Hackford..Not on selected or deleted scenes (which directors nowadays deliberately include in DVDs to enhance the extras), but throughtout the whole film, scene by scene, recorded four years after its theatrical release!! which gives a lot of insight into the making of Dolores Clairborne, and it is as interesting to hear as watching the film.
So Dolores Clairborne is a prime example of very talented people, offering their art with love to every cinema lover in the world.It is a MUST buy and should be added to your collection.
Rating:
Summary: SUPERB!..
Review: This horror-drama movie isn't for all tastes, but is definetly a winner in my book. The movie is about a Maine woman (Kathy Bates) who is being convicted of murdering her employer (Judy Parfitt). Jennifer Jason Lee plays as her estranged daughter Selena who comes home to help her mom prove she didn't commit the alleged crime. The movie is very serious and powerful, and not as bloody as most Stephen King films, but still quite gripping. The film has absolutly no humor or comedy. It's all serious and moving. The acting is very realistic. David Strathairn is horribly perfect as the no-good scumbag husband.
Not for the kiddies; the film contains domestic violence, strong language, and a scene of deviant sexual behavior. This movie should've won an oscar. It deserved it!
Rating:
Summary: Beautifully Acted and Filmed
Review: Oscar Winner Kathy Bates really deserved another for her riveting portrait of Stephen King's title character in this most satisfying film on all levels. She is dynamic as a woman coping with demons of her past and present as she tries to make a bond with her estranged daughter, effectively played by Jennifer Jason Leigh. Able support is provided by the underappreciated Christopher Plummer. David Straithairn is also outstanding as Bates' thoroughly heinous husband. But the real surprise is Judy Parfitt, a less-familiar name, who makes her mark as Dolores's employer. Parfitt's transformation from elegant rich matron to feeble invalid is remarkable. Brilliant is an understatement. Finally, the film's color and locations are truly enthralling. It makes the viewer want to relocate to New England, not just for a vacation, but for a lifetime. Taylor Hackford has crafted a timeless classic!
Rating:
Summary: One of my favorite movies.
Review: I never get tired of this drama. Kathy Bates, as a wisecracking maid, and Jennifer Jason Leigh, as her depressed and anxiety-prone daughter, are superb. A wonderful mix of comedy, tension, and suspense--masterfully directed. VERY highly recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: OK...could have been much better
Review: Better than I expected. Considering the subject matter, it's a fairly restrained production; certainly a lot of directors would have delivered a more lurid film. Bates and Leigh are both outstanding, although the writing didn't always serve their characters well -- Leigh's, in particular, could have been a trifle less cliched. Nonetheless, I was fairly impressed throughout...then, the last half hour knocked it down from superior to merely pretty good. It dragged on too long...well after what should have been the climactic revelations. You had more than your fill of Plummer's unlikeable, unlikely, obsessed detective. And the anticlimactic hearing, with Leigh's tedious monologue (where'd this character come from?)...that's when I really started looking at my watch. Ok film, but could have been much better.
Rating:
Summary: Stephen King well translated to the big screen
Review: Unlike some of King's works, which have been major yawners when filmed for tv or the big screen, "Dolores Claiborne" is an artfully done, intriguing film. Kathy Bates portrays the title character, a hard-working, much put-up woman who still has spunk and self-respect. Jennifer Jason Leigh, in the role of her alienated, substance-abusing daughter Selina, does a good job showing us her journey from
avoiding her mother, to embracing and understanding her. King is in familiar territory here, writing about the island off the coast of Maine where the action takes place, a cool, green yet granite-hard piece of earth, where sometimes people's hearts can get as hard as that rock. The movie's flashbacks
show us what has brought Dolores and her Selina to their estrangement, and the satisfying denouement reunites them. Highly recommended.
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