The Claim *** (2000, Peter Mullan, Nastassja Kinski, Wes Bentley, Milla Jovovich, Sarah Polley, Shirley Henderson) – Classic Movie Review 5402

Director Michael Winterbottom’s ambitious, well-crafted, thoughtful 2000 Western is based on The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy.

The screenplay by Frank Cottrell Boyce tells the story about a wealthy man who reamins haunted two decades later after selling his wife and daughter for the claim to the gold mine that made him rich.

The film is on the dour and unexciting side, but it still impresses. The acting of Peter Mullan and Wes Bentley, Michael Nyman’s score and Alwin H Kuchler’s cinematography are all very striking and major assets for the film.

Also notable in the strong cast are Nastassja Kinski, Milla Jovovich, Sarah Polley, and Shirley Henderson, Sean McGinley, Julian Richings and Randy Birch.

It is R rated for sexuality, strong language and violence.

© Derek Winnert 2017 Classic Movie Review 5402

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