In transporting Thomas Hardy's THE MAYOR OF CASTERBRIDGE to the American West, English director Michael Winterbottom has fashioned an audacious, epic anti-Western that is a haunting achievement. Set in 1849, the story concerns Mr. Dillon (Peter Mullan), the ruler of Kingdom Come, a snow-covered mining town in Northern California. The story opens with the arrival of Dalglish (Wes Bentley), a handsome surveyor for the Pacific Coast Railroad, who is searching for the most sensible way to turn the dream of a transcontinental railroad into a reality. Also drifting into town are the seriously ill Elena (Nastassja Kinski) and her daughter, Hope (Sarah Polley), who have ambiguous ties to Dillon. Immediately, Hope and Dalglish become acquainted, but their potential romance is threatened by the presence of Lucia (Milla Jovavich), a Portuguese madam who lives with Dillon. As Dalglish reaches a decision regarding the railroad, Dillon must painfully confront mistakes he's made in the past, triggering a series of tragic occurrences.
Winterbottom's lush, expansive film miraculously manages to retain the somber spirit of Hardy's classically English tale. Employing the techniques that made Robert Altman's MCCABE & MRS. MILLER such a breathtaking spectacle--including Alwin Kuchler's dazzling cinematography and Michael Nyman's mesmerizing score--Winterbottom proves once again that he is an accomplished filmmaker who isn't afraid to tackle any genre.
Richard Roeper (EBERT & ROEPER AND THE MOVIES) named THE CLAIM one of the 10 best films of 2000.
Theatrical Release: April 20, 2001 (NY/LA)
Review 1:
"...An endlessly wrenching and compelling story....Moviemaking of the first order..."
Source: Premiere
pp.22-3 01/01/2001
Review 2:
"...[A] meaty, meaningful film...that bring[s] rare insights to the subject of money and the havoc it can wreak..."
Source: Movieline's Hollywood Life
pp.30-33 02/01/2001
Review 3:
"...It's refreshing to see an English director working within a traditionally American genre, and yet maintaining an outsider's perspective....THE CLAIM is Winterbottom's most accomplished film yet..." -- 4 out of 5 stars
Source: Total Film
p.90 03/01/2001
Review 4:
"...THE CLAIM is a film of extraordinary images....[Kinski] gives a performance of great warmth and intensity..."
Source: Sight and Sound
p.44-5 03/01/2001
Review 5:
"...The cast is individually intelligent, refined and understated..."
Source: Entertainment Weekly
p.86 04/27/2001
Review 6:
"...Affecting....The look of the film is terrific, and the actors, carefully cast, perform admirably; Michael Nyman's score soars and cascades..."
Source: Los Angeles Times
p.F2 12/29/2000
Review 7:
"...Peter Mullan's performance is private and painful....Winterbottom is a director comfortable with ambiguity..."
Source: Chicago Sun-Times
p.27 04/22/2001
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