Dolores Claiborneis one of the most underrated and forgottenStephen King movie adaptions. The film starsKathy BatesandJennifer Jason Leighin standout roles in their respective career careers. Its pilot focuses on a strained relationship between a mother and a daughter as they navigate a psychological thriller-style plot. It, of course, takes place in Maine, which is the setting for many Stephen King stories, though it was filmed in Nova Scotia and looks gorgeous on film.
The film has not gone entirely unnoticed, as it was named byTime as one of the best Stephen King adaptation movies. Still, it has gone sorely under-mentioned in the Stephen King movie conversation. Even at the time of its release in 1994, it received little marketing and promotion leading up to its release. Despite the lack of help from studios, it became a sleeper hit, grossing $50 million on a $13 million budget.
One of the Best Stephen King Translations
The film’s plot follows the Stephen King novel of the same name.In New York, a woman named Selena St. George works as a successful journalist. Despite her success, she is caught in the throes of depression. She finds out that her mother, Dolores, is being accused of murder and must work to overcome their fraught relationship and personal doubts to help her mother establish her innocence.
This film does an excellent job of keeping the weird elements that make Stephen King’s stories so memorable, while balancing the filmmaking need to translate the story effectively on screen. The dramatic murder plot unfolds slowly with a sense of patience that is rarely seen but greatly appreciated.
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Non-Linear Storytelling Done Right
Often in film, non-linear storytelling is used in a style-over-substance kind of way and serves as an excuse for the filmmaker to insert crazy visuals and scenes that don’t necessarily have to connect to each other naturally. Few films utilize the strengths of the non-linear format as much asDolores Claiborne. The film plays out as a mystery, where the audience is not given all the pieces to figure out what is going on immediately. This becomes more complicated as different characters start to develop a different interpretation of the same event, and this is where non-linear storytelling ends up being a good choice for the movie.
The flashbacks between Dolores and her daughter allow the audience to see the multiple viewpoints of the same situation. This is tricky to pull off in practice because filmmakers can also risk confusing the audience and alienating them, but this is a testament to the strength of the filmmaking on display.
Non-linear films also have a tendency to be repetitious as a way to tell the audience what they should be paying attention to, so they don’t get confused. However, many films use this as an overcorrection that diminishes the purpose of utilizing a non-linear narrative to begin with. All the time, jumping in the movie serves a purpose that builds toward an ultimate climatic moment in a way that doesn’t feel cheap. The film’s dramatic moments feel earned because of the intensity of its character study.
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Top Performances
Kathy Bateshas mentioned in interviews that her role as Dolores Claiborne is one of her favorite performances that she has ever given, and it isn’t hard to see why. Bates’s performance is on point and adds a rich texture to the character that makes it feel like her character almost as much as it is Stephen King’s. Although the film is told primarily through a series of flashbacks, you still get to follow a solid throughline with her character that keeps you grounded through the psychological drama. The filmearned three Saturn Award nominationsfor best actress, best supporting actress, and best music.
Underrated Direction
The filmmaking choices on display from director Taylor Hackford and cinematographer Gabriel Beristain make the movie a treat to watch. The film uses a contrast between grey and muted colors in the present and bright, gaudy colors during the flashback sequences. The subjects touched in the film can be gut-wrenching at times and feel like horror scenes at others. Despite the different tones present in the film, the atmosphere doesn’t feel muddy. Instead, the themes carry the film, and the character performances are subtle and understated.
Never Found its Audience
Unfortunately, despite finding commercial success, it never found an audience outside its release. This is a shame because many films find cult audiences after release that continue to discuss the film in the future, but this film never found this kind of audience. The fans of the film seem to be silent enjoyers then proselytizers. Perhaps this is a good thing, though, as there won’t be as many people demanding a new adaption that might disappoint fans of the original.
