Dolores Claiborne

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Dolores Claiborne

R

1995

2h 11m

Crime

Drama

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Popcornmeter

86%

Tomatometer

49 Reviews

82%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

In a small New England town, Dolores Claiborne (Kathy Bates) works as a housekeeper for the rich but heartless Vera Donovan (Judy Parfitt). When Vera turns up dead, Dolores is accused of killing her elderly employer -- so her estranged daughter, Selena (Jennifer Jason Leigh), a well-respected New York City journalist, decides to visit her mother and investigate the matter for herself. As Selena digs deeper into the case, she uncovers shocking truths about the murder and her own childhood.

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Critics Consensus

Post-Misery Kathy Bates proves to be another wonderful conduit for Stephen King's novels in this patient, gradually terrifying thriller.

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Hugo Davenport

Daily Telegraph (UK)

Aided by strong performances, Hackford keeps the suspense simmering nicely until a botched courtroom showdown... Interesting, though, to see Stephen King in the guise of feminist.

Nov 18, 2022

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Michael Wilmington

Chicago Tribune

It's rare to see a pop best seller come out this well in the movies.

Rated: 3.5/4

Oct 4, 2019

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Owen Gleiberman

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: D+

Sep 7, 2011

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...a slow-moving drama that benefits from its atmospheric visuals and top-notch performances...

Rated: 3/4

Nov 17, 2024

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Joe Lipsett

Anatomy of a Scream Podcast Network

Bates and Jason Leigh both shine in this savvy adaptation of a challenging Stephen King book. Dolores Claiborne proves that when the right people board a project, there's no such thing as an unfilmable book

Rated: 4/5

Nov 2, 2022

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Mal Vincent

The Virginian-Pilot

A delightful yarn.

Rated: 3.5/4

Feb 25, 2022

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J V

This movie is filled with many great actors. One of my all time favorite movies. 👍

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/27/25

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helder f

This a very good movie, with a great plot and great performances. Kathy Bates is a wife, a mother, and caregiver. She’s accused of killing the woman she’s been taken care of. Her estranged daughter then returns home, bringing with her the suspicion that her mother had killed her father. The movie is a bit long but Bates’s performance keeps the movie alive. The daughter, Selena, is frustrating, a bit contrived. The story is very captivating but at times surreal… there’s always an element of doubt as the story unfolds. Is the mother, the only who truly knows what happen, telling the truth? I guess some will appreciate this tone of uncertainty and suspicion, I’d have preferred something more definite

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/05/24

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Devra B

This is my all time favorite Stephen King movie. Cathy Bates and Jennifer Jason Leigh are amazing in it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/16/24

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Kirsten W

I love the mood of this film.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

06/22/24

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Alec C

The past can hold some dark secrets that will lead to dire consequences in the present! A reporter returns to her old town when her mother is accused of murder and realizes that the truth is hidden deep within her own mind. A sobering reminder of the affects of trauma and how on the surface, they are vey well hidden!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/08/24

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Gabriel S

I find that adaptations of Stephen King's work are always enjoyable to watch, even when the adaptation is kinda bogus — definitely not the case here, making it clear. The reason is because Stephen King, although often verbose, is a great storyteller. Dolores Claiborne from 1995 incorporates the best part about King's work: character development. Kathy Bates steals the show here. There couldn't be a better fit than her to play Dolores, and what a play! During this slow ride, we get to love Dolores and root for her, regardless of the ultimate truth. If you like slow drama-heavy stories that focus on character development, Dolores Claiborne doesn't disappoint. The movie starts slow, but the great question keeps you going: is Dolores a murder? Watch it to find out.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/20/23

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Taylor Hackford

Director

Kathy Bates

Dolores Claiborne

Jennifer Jason Leigh

Selena St. George

Judy Parfitt

Vera Donovan

Christopher Plummer

Det. John Mackey

David Strathairn

Joe St. George

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Synopsis

In a small New England town, Dolores Claiborne (Kathy Bates) works as a housekeeper for the rich but heartless Vera Donovan (Judy Parfitt). When Vera turns up dead, Dolores is accused of killing her elderly employer -- so her estranged daughter, Selena (Jennifer Jason Leigh), a well-respected New York City journalist, decides to visit her mother and investigate the matter for herself. As Selena digs deeper into the case, she uncovers shocking truths about the murder and her own childhood.

Director: Taylor Hackford
Producer: Taylor Hackford, Charles Mulvehill
Screenwriter: Stephen King, Tony Gilroy
Production Co: Castle Rock Entertainment, Columbia Pictures Corporation
Rating: R
Genre: Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 18, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $22.8M
Runtime: 2h 11m
Sound Mix: Surround

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