A Mother's Love - my favorite movie

[JuliaBelle]

I absolutely love Dolores Claiborne. I must admit I've never read the book, although I have read many, many other Stephen King novels. I guess I haven't read the book because I love the movie so much. How weird is that? Usually one doesn't watch the movie because they are afraid it won't be as good as the book, but in this case, for me at least, its the other way around.

I think the reason I love this movie so much is because I was sexually abused as a child. I was about the same age as Selina when this happened to me, and I reacted much the same way that Selina did. My appearance changed, my grades slipped, my attitude changed. Unfortunately my mother was not as observant as Dolores, or maybe she just chalked it up to typical teenage angst. Whatever the reason, she didn't know what was happening to me until much later. My mother is a good woman and was a very loving mother, but unlike the brave and blunt Dolores, she preferred not to see the signs that were right under her nose.

I so wish my mother had dispatched my abuser the way Dolores took care of Joe. As it was, she did the best she could after she found out what happened, but the person who abused me did not end up paying a price for it. I asked my parents not to tell anyone, and since I hadn't been raped ("Has he f$%^ed her yet, Dolores?") they agreed. Now that I'm older and wiser I wish I had pursued it further. I have no idea how many other girls were victims after me, and that thought torments me now.

I just wanted to post this because I find it remarkable that Stephen King could so perfectly depict that relationship between Dolores and Selina, and that he could so accurately show what happens to children who are molested. I've watched the movie several times, and I never get tired of the scene where Selina tells Dolores "I don't know how I feel about what you did, but I know you did it for me."

[GNTLGNT]

Again, another shining example of the pure genius that pushes the pen...

[Haunted]

I absolutely love Dolores Claiborne. I must admit I've never read the book, although I have read many, many other Stephen King novels. I guess I haven't read the book because I love the movie so much. How weird is that? Usually one doesn't watch the movie because they are afraid it won't be as good as the book, but in this case, for me at least, its the other way around.

I think the reason I love this movie so much is because I was sexually abused as a child. I was about the same age as Selina when this happened to me, and I reacted much the same way that Selina did. My appearance changed, my grades slipped, my attitude changed. Unfortunately my mother was not as observant as Dolores, or maybe she just chalked it up to typical teenage angst. Whatever the reason, she didn't know what was happening to me until much later. My mother is a good woman and was a very loving mother, but unlike the brave and blunt Dolores, she preferred not to see the signs that were right under her nose.

I so wish my mother had dispatched my abuser the way Dolores took care of Joe. As it was, she did the best she could after she found out what happened, but the person who abused me did not end up paying a price for it. I asked my parents not to tell anyone, and since I hadn't been raped ("Has he f$%^ed her yet, Dolores?") they agreed. Now that I'm older and wiser I wish I had pursued it further. I have no idea how many other girls were victims after me, and that thought torments me now.

I just wanted to post this because I find it remarkable that Stephen King could so perfectly depict that relationship between Dolores and Selina, and that he could so accurately show what happens to children who are molested. I've watched the movie several times, and I never get tired of the scene where Selina tells Dolores "I don't know how I feel about what you did, but I know you did it for me."

I am so, so sorry that you had to go through that and I am glad you came here to talk about it. As far as the person who abused you--they will pay a price, it is nature.

Do read the book, please. I think you will find an even bigger story shaped by Mr. King's words.

And remember, we are here.

[delores 74]

I'm glad you enjoyed the movie and sorry about what you went through. I personally hated the movie as it was VERY different from the book. DC is one of my favorite books and when they released the movie, I couldn't wait. Once I saw it, I realized that I COULD have waited an eternity and been no worse off. I advise you to read the book, it is just SO much better than the movie and goes WAY deeper.

[wings47]

Julia, I agree with the others - read the book. But I suggest the audio version. I love Frances Sternhagen's Dolores. She used to play Cliff's mother on Cheers and also had a role in Stephen King's The Golden Years. She breathes life into the story.

My own childhood was like yours, too and I also love the strength of Dolores and how she handled the problem. I especially remember when she said to Selena, "i'm going to tell you 2 things. #1 none of this is your fault and #2 it stops now - he is never going to bother you again." Isn't that what all of us who lived this horror longed to hear? She is my hero. Sandy

[Seb Shaw]

I am with the others when I say, I am sorry for what you have been through, but glad you found strength in yourself to tell this horrible ordeal to your parents, and also to us here on the forum. I will eccoh the comment from earlier: We are here.
On another note, I too like dthe movie, but the book did have more detail and was told with more belief. however, any movie with Kathy Bates in it deserves to be watched and cherrished

[Homer403]

I have tremendous respect for the Dolores Claiborne character and other people like her in real life. She's as "tough as nails",been to hell and back a few times and has the strength to keep on trying! "You can tell by her hands"