I'm sure you're wondering why I decided to kick this journey off with Dolores Claiborne, of all things. Well, to answer your question, I'm planning on eventually writing about 10,000 movies, so why not start with Dolores Claiborne? It's just what I felt like watching last night, okay? Get off my back already!
Anyway, getting to the movie itself, this is definitely one of the more tender and thoughtful King adaptations I've seen. As a result, some of the trademark stylizations and theatrics and caricature supporting players feel a little out of place at times, but the compensation here is that the horror elements tend to be more down-to-earth and relatable (sexism, abuse, alcoholism, poverty). So while this isn't a particularly electrifying thriller, it's raw and resonant in all the ways it needs to be.
As for the storytelling, I'm tempted to say that the emphasis on flashbacks gets slightly tiresome after a while, but I suppose I can't knock the creative decision too hard, seeing as this is what allows the narrative to unfold in the most gripping and revealing way possible. It makes for a strong balance of melodrama and suspense, it gives the colour grading some variety, and it lets Kathy Bates shine with a subtler, more ambiguous performance than the one she gave in Misery.
Well, okay, maybe it's not that subtle. Those accents are something else.
Grade: B+
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