Kathy Bates was ideal main character

[Leighjavu]

A tale dealing with a family's battle against the horrors of human (mis)behavior that one is ruining lives with . The seed plot of revenge planted by an unlikely source. It really was an accident...The Islesboro setting, and the non-glamourized acting with the characters made this seem like it could be non-fiction. A good movie!

[delores 74]

Have you read the book? I agree that Kathy Bates was a WONDERFUL Dolores, but whoever wrote that screenplay should be hit over the head with the hardcover edition of the book until they begin to absorb the story through osmosis. Dolores is one of my favorite SK books, and the movie absolutely BUTCHERED the novel. The biggest SK movie disappointment ever, IMO.

[Leighjavu]

Have you read the book? I agree that Kathy Bates was a WONDERFUL Dolores, but whoever wrote that screenplay should be hit over the head with the hardcover edition of the book until they begin to absorb the story through osmosis. Dolores is one of my favorite SK books, and the movie absolutely BUTCHERED the novel. The biggest SK movie disappointment ever, IMO.

( I feel like I am communicating with the real Dolores, with an e,:laugh:)
Shame on me to admit that , no I have not read the novel..yet.
I wonder, how long would it would take to get a complete edition of King's work on film?
I believe that a movie is just a taste of the tale, for those who can't or won't read the book. The original jist of the story is something to use and fabricate to get the desired effect of the majority of watchers, just as the original story gets the effect from a selection of readers. The skill or talent (if that's that you'd call it) involved in watching a movie does not equate what it takes to read.

There was another King novel that I had read, and my husband had not but He sure liked the movie! There was a character that seemed signifigant in the book yet absent in the movie. Without reading the book, you'd never miss him.
Movies are "Based" on the novel , which is merely a disclaimer stating that they are not to be held accountable for omitting or altering the actual story. Movies are insults to writers, because every word they crafted, all the pain that went into writing it for their specific audience...has now been mainstreamed for the general public.

Given the subject matter of D.C. the movie would have been rated XXX if it were filmed just like the book, am I right?
Books help to shape personalities and imaginations.
Movies help to mold opinions and perspectives.

[aptpupil]

Competely disagree.

I loved "Misery" - both the novel and the movie, and I regard it as one of the best film adaptations of SK's work.

Of course things are changed somewhat. After all, what works as words on a page doesn't always work as well in a movie setting.

James Caan and Kathy Bates were excellent, and done the original story justice, IMO.

[jules17330]

AptPupil, I agree. I thought Dolores the book and the movie were both good. Misery the book and the movie were both good but to me were completely different. Dolores Claiborne hit home with me since I was an only child and had a very destructive relationship with my mother.

[aptpupil]

LOL Gina!

I guess my post might have carried a little more weight if I'd actually been talking about the correct novel!

Saw Kathy Bates and just thought "Misery"!

As for "Dolores Claiborne", I have to be honest. Didn't particularly like the book, so have never motivated myself to sit through the movie!

[Leighjavu]

Competely disagree.

I loved "Misery" - both the novel and the movie, and I regard it as one of the best film adaptations of SK's work.

Of course things are changed somewhat. After all, what works as words on a page doesn't always work as well in a movie setting.

James Caan and Kathy Bates were excellent, and done the original story justice, IMO.

I'm lost, whom did you disagree with? Cracking sreenwriters over the head? or
something I said.:umm:

[barbiespoodle]

Kind of glad someone said that the movie did not do the book justice, but then again, I find that if I read the book before the movie, I am almost always disapointed. For some reason, movies never capture the imagination the way a book does.

DC is in my collection to read. I have seen the movie and pretty much liked it, or at least the over all theme of it. Now I can't wait to read the book.

[Perse Jr.]

I loved this movie, and I actually watched it way after I read the book, so I didn't catch any differences or anything like that. The scenes were so real for me, I could almost smell the ocean breeze. The colors and settings were perfect. Remember when Dolores was coming home to her dilapitated shack with Selena? The boards, messes, broken things...yet Dolores still made a warm home. Kathy Bates was a perfect fit, and I really appreciated her accent. Usually I am so annoyed at those who try to do a Maine and/or New England accent. Most omit the "r" with too much emphasis. Kathy pulled it off perfectly. GREAT movie! Jennifer Jason Leigh was great too, and I loved David Stathairn as Joe; I've been a fan of his since The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd (remember that show????).

[Moderator]

I can't remember if it was Kathy or her assistant who'd asked me about Maine accents before doing the filming and I'd told her that it was very different from one part of the state to another but that for the Dolores Claiborne character she should listen to people from the mid- to southern coastal region of Maine. My recollection is that her speech coach went into bars and tape recorded conversations of the locals to get an authentic accent to copy and it seems to have worked. :smile2:

[blunthead]

I've yet to read DC, so I can't compare it vs the movie, which impressed me, and caused me to want to read the book. I liked the screen-story (as opposed to book-story--whatever fundamental differences there may be and probably are) itself--sK's unique spin on a true universal curse. The acting was great, especially Straithairn, and I loved the cinematography.

[delores 74]

My mom had watched the movie several times and loved it. She's not a big SK fan and had actually never read anything by him before, so I had to educate her on the finer points of DC. I bought the book for her for Mother's Day and afterwards, she agreed with me that the book was WAY better. She just couldn't understand (like myself) why the movie had to differ so greatly.
If it had been done as close to the book as possible, it wouldn't have been x-rated or anything even close. It's not that type of book. Maybe someone will re-do it and actually read the book?

[dawnde]

I have to say Kathy was amazing in Misery as well. :wow:

[Ebdim9th]

The movie, which I haven't seen, for me its hard to find, did another thing I'm grateful for. Giving a young Ellen Muth a good healthy push forward in an acting career that would lead her to Dead Like Me. Yayyyy!!!!

Now with the book, something odd happened that kept me from finishing reading it. A really strange and annoying type-o. The entire first maybe third of the book was repeated, and so the book had no end. Or if it did have the end, a goodly portion of the rest of the story wasn't there.

[Agincourt Concierge]

Love this novel!!!!

Love the movie too....Kathy Bates was excellent choice as Dolores.... :)

although I love "six pins" Vera..... she was a tough broad.... LOL

and yes....I would have cracked that damn milk pitcher up side his head too...

[Patricia A]

I loved the movie, although it left some of the "King" out of it, it did manage to convey (at least to me) the main crux of the story.
I watched the movie for the first time very critically because it's one of my favorite books. I came away from it satisfied even though I tried to hate it LOL.
The acting was SUPURB. Kathy Bates is amazing. She really made Delores come to life, gave her flesh, when she delivered the "Grand Poobah of Upper Buttcrack" line she was Delores!

[Mark R]

For such a short book, it seemed to take ages to get through for one reason or another. I didn't really enjoy the story line at first so went back to it when I had more time. I have a completely different view on it now. The book and the movie was very gripping and really pleased that I gave this another go.
Kathy Bates was in my view a great choice to play the main character, she played the part really well.

[jlessl]

This is one of my favorite movies. Another case of not reading the book, however. I really should do that! I even bought the DVD (rare move for me) and have watched it several times. Agreed, Kathy Bates was excellent, and the rest of the casting was as well. IMHO, it is really an underrated SK related movie. You know, when folks talk about the good SK movies, they don't often include DC.

[Ebdim9th]

I really need to make an effort to give both of these another try, or first try if you count the unfinished do to wierd publishing errors and a movie I couldnt seem to find....

[mousenmile]

A tale dealing with a family's battle against the horrors of human (mis)behavior that one is ruining lives with . The seed plot of revenge planted by an unlikely source. It really was an accident...The Islesboro setting, and the non-glamourized acting with the characters made this seem like it could be non-fiction. A good movie!

Yes I agree, this could have happened to any one. And as usual Kathy Bates does a wonderful job of drawing you right in.

[Boni]

A lot of people say that the movie is different from the book, but the only difference I got was the fact that she was on the trial telling her story. Can someone clarify me about others differences I didn't catch up?

[OhmyGod!]

I didn’t like the movie in the beginning. I also kept thinking: Why the hell did they leave out so much? Like the whole Vera story and her children…Selena’s brothers, the stuff with all the eyes and sun what gives the story such a nice form etc. Those are the things that also made the novel so brilliant and such a good read!
But last month Ive read and watched the story again. And now I disagree. The movie is actually pretty true to the story. It’s only different…but it says the same.

Like one of the most important things in the novel is that Dolores did everything in the end for Selena…It’s one of the main conclusions (IMO). And in the end of the movie, Selena says to Dolores: ‘I don’t know what I think of what you did…but I do know you did it for ME’. Very important. And another important thing in the story is the becoming strangers to each other. Like Vera and her children. And Dolores and Selena. And the movie really captures that I believe. Because Dolores doesn’t even recognises Selena in the beginning. They’ve become complete strangers. And only because Dolores tried to do good.

So in the end the movie really is about the same as the book is. The movie tells the same story only a bit different. When I found that out, I could really enjoy the movie almost as much as the novel. The novel will always be better in my eyes, but maybe the whole novel could never be captured in a movie and the movie is almost as good as it could get.

[Ebdim9th]

The way you ended that opinion is exactly how I feel about the movie adaptation of Watchmen. I think Moore is just the kind of writer that can never be satisfied with any movie rendition of one of his works. That being said, he also allowed a movie to be made out of V for Vendetta too.... so I guess he knows how to let go....

[MrsMarsten]

The movie really didn't do the book justice. I saw the movie first, and the book just fleshed things out. Delores sure has a mouth like a sailor on her ;)

[Ebdim9th]

More than a few of Sai Stevie's characters have tended to....

[SixPins]

I enjoyed the movie. Not sure how much it left out. Compare it to the adaptations like IT, where some of the most important things are left untouched. I thought Kathy was a knock out.

As for the book, I loved it. Read it very very quickly and in the heat of my love affair with Dolores, I made this very account with the book in mind. "Six pins, Dolores!"

[qu33n0f3mpir3]

stories involving domestic violence always make me think of the sweet revenge that comes after

[sai slone]

Sai King must think she is talented as well. She ahs been in three SK movies that I can think of off the top of my head; The Stand,Misery and Deloris Claiborne. .I agree,she was perfect for the part.

[RichardX]

I enjoyed the book and movie. Kathy Bates was perfect for the role. I always wondered if SK took any inspiration for DC from another famous New England lady named Lizzie Borden?

[SuzannaDean]

I thought Kathy Bates was good! She played brilliantly in Misery aswell!! To be fair though, I wasnt that keen on this movie. It seemed to drag on a bit. I havent read the book yet either so I hope it hasnt spoiled it too much for me!!

[dejolane]

Kathy Bates was excellent in all of SK movies.

[Mr. Palmer]

I enjoyed the film, though not as much as the novel. And yes, Kathy Bates was very good in her portrayal of the title character.

My mother, who isn't a fan of Sai King, also likes the film. Though she won't read the book... *sigh*

[Mike in Canada]

Hi All;

The movie was filmed in Lunenburg, Digby and in Stonehurst .....all in Nova Scotia. (other locations on the South Shore also) My relative's small fishing cove called Stonehurst was used to build the old house, actually just a shell (the old gray one that Dolores and her daughter had to open up) and half my relatives were in the scene where all the boats were out in the harbour when the eclipse happened. Their fishing boats were used. The scenes with the well and such were all filmed there too. It's pretty much treeless and has nothing but scrub brush, rocks and the cove. What you see in the movie is exactly what the cove looks like.

The art director for the movie is my dad's next door neighbour in Rose Bay, NS.

He also did Two If By Sea (Sandra Bullock-Dennis Leary), Proof of Life (Russel Crowe-Meg Ryan), K9 The Widowmaker, Dawn of the Dead, some Police Academy movies and a lot more I can't even begin to list.

[jules17330]

This really is one of the most underrated films based on a SK novel. I'm watching it right now on Cinemax and am observing just how well ALL the actors did-not just Kathy Bates. Kathy, of course, is her usual brilliant self but Jennifer Jason Leigh's portrayal of a young woman suffering from the aftermath of a tumultuous childhood was spot-on. David Strathairn was so good (as he is in everything, actually) at making this character so scandalous and despicable that watching him in other movies makes it hard to believe he ISN'T a drunken, child-molesting buffoon. The casting was perfect; I get so very, very tired of seeing nothing but beautiful people on screen. It's so unlike what real life really is. Real life is ugly, like an abrasion on your arm, yet beautiful. Movies that show nothing but the latter infuriate me. This movie shows both. The eclipse scene is awesome and the commentary during is befitting. And with the way SK writes about the relationship between mother and daughter, you'd think he really lived it. This book reads like a classic mystery novel. It's both a fine book and a fine movie. Whenever people mention Shawshank Redemption as a great depiction of a SK novel, I usually try to push this one in as well.

[Adam Halcyon]

Well said jules!
Alongside the stunning Kathy Bates is Judy Parfitt (playing Vera Donovan) - the scene where she tells Dolores that "...husbands die every day, Dolores..." - and the single tear that flows down her cheek is BRILLIANT. Thought she deserved some praise amongst all the other films amazing qualities. How this film ever got a rating of just 3.5 out of 5 by Leonard Maltin is beyond me ... <--- slaps Leonard. I love the way Kathy Bates can appear so "frumpy" on camera, for whatever character she plays just shows her commitment to the character. The colour scheme of the film is just so wonderful'; the transitions from blue/grey to vibrant reds to show the past is a nice trick too.
Put Kathy Bates on the same level as Jodie Foster (is pedestal a better word for Ms. Foster??) ...AND pay-scale... as an actor and I'll be one happy cinema-goer and DVD watcher!