Dolores Claiborne **** (1995, Kathy Bates, Christopher Plummer, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Judy Parfitt, David Strathairn, Eric Bogosian, John C Reilly) – Classic Movie Review 886

Director Taylor Hackford employs the admirable Kathy Bates for another ace Stephen King adaptation, after her Oscar-winning performance in Misery (1990).

Bates kicks this 1995 movie into top gear as Dolores Claiborne, a Maine matron arrested and indicted in a remote New England small town for the murder of the elderly wealthy woman for whom she works as a maid. Dolores is confronted by both the investigating cop Detective John Mackey (Christopher Plummer) and by her estranged New York City magazine writer daughter Selena (Jennifer Jason Leigh) about the truth over the deaths of her long-term employer (Judy Parfitt) and – years earlier – her abusive husband.

They try to unravel what has really happened, as well provide answers to questions from the shady past, as Selena’s troubled childhood and the family’s strife come under the microscope.

Hackford stokes up the atmosphere and tension in an extremely well handled and constructed character-driven thriller. With plenty of heat in Tony Gilroy’s screenplay and fire in the performances, it’s a winner. There’s also notable work on camera from cinematographer Gabriel Beristain and on the soundtrack by composer Danny Elfman.

David Strathairn, Eric Bogosian, John C Reilly, Ellen Muth and Bob Gunton co-star.

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© Derek Winnert 2014 Classic Movie Review 886

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