Now here is an example of complete Oscar oversight. This movie has a fantastic acting, an interesting story solid direction, yet not a single Oscar nomination? I have lost some respect for the academy right at this moment. Kathy Bates stars as Dolores, a woman who is accused of murdering Vera Donovan (Judy Parfitt, who is a powerful presence). Jennifer Jason Leigh as Selena St George (Dolores' estranged daughter) and Christopher Plummer as Det. John Mackey, who is determined to 'catch' Dolores for Vera's 'murder' after he couldn't convict her of killing her husband 18 years earlier.Now i want to get one thing clear, this is based a Stephen King novel (and i love his novels, in fact he's my favourite writer- oh yeah and i, like, read the book) so i kind of had preconceptions before i went in, i knew what i thought the characters would look like and i knew how it was to end. But the best thing about the film is that it twists our expectations right on their heads, i knew what would happen, but i was biting my nails along with the characters anyway. So therefore: bravo to Taylor Hackford (director), Tony Gilroy (screenplay), the actors and of course Stephen King who though of it in the first place.
I want to focus on each of the four principle actors individually if that's alright with you..
Kathy Bates is awesome. Anyone who has read my review of Misery knows that i think she is one great actress (i like her more than Streep, there i said it!) She brought Dolores (as great character on the page) to a whole new sort of life on the screen, she deserved an Oscar nom AT LEAST for such a great performance that was both sympathetic and tough. So its a hell of a thumbs up from me.
Jennifer Jason Leigh as Selena was a surprise, i could certainly see the character i had envisioned and was very satisfied with her performance, she over did it occasionally but i think she was solid and captured a side of Selena that wasn't shown in the book, i think JJL enhanced her. This is a performance that deserved an Oscar nom for best supporting, she portrayed the tortured and dark humored Selena with great confidence and she was easy to sympathize with.
Judy Parfitt was a scene stealer, a complete and utter scene stealer. She even took some away from Bates! Which as many know, would be pretty hard to do. Parfitt was perfect in every form for this role, she captured the essence of 'bitch' that Vera embodied but still was able to portray a humane side. Best supporting actress right there.
Christopher Plummer is fondly remembered as Master Von Trapp in The Sound Of Music (1965) but let me tell you: He's great. It's not a showy role but he does all he is required to do and is damn convincing. Maybe not best supporting actor worthy but certainly worthy of praise.
Now for the three supporting roles...........
Joe St George (David Strathairn) is really good. He is so convincing that i really hate him, we all cannot wait to see the end of him. Believe me you will feel feel no sympathy for Joe St George.
John C Reilly gives solid support as Constable Frank Stamshaw and that is really the main cast in a nutshell.
Ellen muth (as young Selena) was good, but i didn't always believe her performance. However i think she did a good job in her emotional scenes (which were what the majority of her scenes were anyway).
I really liked this movie, it's not the best I've ever seen but that doesn't mean anything because i've seen a lot of great movies, BUT this film is still amazing. It has believable characters, a great story and wonderful direction, what's not to like? But if you really hate certain accents then you might find it grating because the accent of Bates, while very good and highly unusual (to me anyway) can be a bit tiresome if you notice that sort of thing.
"Sometimes being a bitch is all a woman has to hold on to" Vera Donovan (Judy Parfitt), Dolores Claiborne
