The Claim (2000)
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62% of critics liked it
(84 reviews) -
46% of users liked it
(3,404 ratings)
One man's small empire threatens to collapse under the weight of his greed and deceit in this drama that transplants the story of Thomas Hardy's The Mayor of Casterbridge to 19th century America. In 1867, Dillon (Peter Mullan) is an Irish immigrant who settled in California during the Gold… More One man's small empire threatens to collapse under the weight of his greed and deceit in this drama that transplants the story of Thomas Hardy's The Mayor of Casterbridge to 19th century America. In 1867, Dillon (Peter Mullan) is an Irish immigrant who settled in California during the Gold Rush of '49 and has done quite well for himself. Dillon owns nearly every business of consequence in the town of Kingdom Come; if someone wants to dig for gold, rent a room, open a bank account, or even order a drink, they have to go to Dillon to do it. One of the few profitable enterprises in town that he doesn't own is the brothel, which is operated by Lucia (Milla Jovovich), Dillon's lover. Circumstances change somewhat when Dalglish - a surveyor with the Central Pacific Railroad - turns up and expresses his plans to implement a railroad in the area. Dillon, sensing a great opportunity afoot, travels well out of his way to ensure that the line is run through Kingdom Come, to enhance the town's commercial prospects. Also arriving in town the same time as Dalglish are two women, the beautiful but ailing Elena (Nastassja Kinski) and her lovely teenage daughter Hope (Sarah Polley); their presence is deeply troubling for Dillon, for they are the keys to a dark secret Dillon has kept from the people of Kingdom Come. The Claim is Michael Winterbottom's second adaptation of the works of Thomas Hardy; his 1996 feature Jude was adapted from Hardy's final novel, Jude the Obscure. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Directed By
- Michael Winterbottom
- Written By
- Frank Cottrell Boyce
- Genres
- Western, Drama, Romance
R,
- In Theaters
- Dec 29, 2000 Wide
- Studio
- MGM Distribution Co
Critic Reviews
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Rick Groen, Globe and Mail
The audience is simply left with the task of fitting together the allegory's easy pieces.
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Paul Tatara, CNN.com
Easily the most compelling Western to hit our screens since Unforgiven.
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Eric Harrison, Houston Chronicle
A mournful, poetic, epic movie that lodges in the memory.
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Jane Sumner, Dallas Morning News
Takes place against a frigid canvas gorgeously captured by Alwin Kuchler.
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Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee
A fine film that holds you at arm's length.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
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Cast
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Peter Mullan
as Dillon
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Wes Bentley
as Dalglish
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Milla Jovovich
as Lucia
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Nastassja Kinski
as Elena
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Sarah Polley
as Hope
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Julian Richings
as Bellinger
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Sean McGinley
as Sweetley
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Duncan Fraser
as Crocker
