MovieChat Forums > The Claim (2001) Discussion > Desreves Recognition

Desreves Recognition

posted 20 years ago by DarkHalf1
23 replies | jump to latest

Michael Winterbottom has always been a skilled and intelligent director, especially when it comes to such realistic human dramas. "The Claim" is no exception, although it does tend to lag a little in the middle. Still, the overall direction is tightly driven, the performances all well executed, and the tone of "The Mayor of Casterbridge" is preserved to perfection although the story is transplanted to the American frontier, which actually adds to Dillon's isolation and creates a stimulating setting to photograph. Michael Wintterbottom is easily the most underrated director out there today. Check this out

[–] 20 years ago

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[–] as-a-luggage-problem 20 years ago

Wow- Two people in the whole world want to talk about this film, must be fantastic...

[–] 20 years ago

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[–] BiggerBoatNeeded 20 years ago

Good point 'luggage'. Indeed, it must be fantastic as all those posting about it are singing its praises. Thank you for your input.

However, it is a shame that it is not more widely appreciated. As usual, the great movies that don't fall into the PHP category (Predictable Hollywood Popcorn) are overlooked.

[–] archer1949 20 years ago

Winterbottom is a genius.

"Personally? I want to slay that dragon. Let's get to work."

[–] disdained_heart 20 years ago

I don't know... I was a little lost the first hour, I know it wasn't hard to follow but my brain was having trouble. The comment says that it isn't hurried but now that I think about it, the first half hour seemed a little paced between present and flash backs.
I guess I need to watch it again and try to follow it a little better this time.

"I was a Crash Test Dummy survivor"

[–] Krustallos 19 years ago

My problem with this film is that it's so very similar to Altman's "McCabe and Mrs Miller". Same setting, same period, same look, same sort of sound design, same town-founding pioneer and brothel madame characters, same big business encroachment plot strand, same abandonment and death in the snow conclusion. The only appreciable differences were the Hardy plot, occasional motifs lifted from Herzog's "Fitzcarraldo" and Nyman instead of Leonard Cohen on the soundtrack. And the burning horse, of course.

"McCabe" was a comment on the traditional Western; this seems too similar to Altman's film to say anything new, and it doesn't seem to put a twist on Altman's work itself, just recycles it.

I have a very high regard for Winterbottom, his "Wonderland" in particular is one of my favourite films of the last decade, but on first viewing at least this seemed somewhat lacking in originality. I'll give it another viewing later though, in a cinema preferably.

[–] 19 years ago

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[–] cdjunkee-1 19 years ago

I absolutley love this movie. I first found it at my library and rented it for fee one summer. now mind you this is after I got into Sarah Polley in "the sweet hereafter" and Milla jovovich's musical career. in short... i fell in love with it. last Christmas I hunted it down and bought it on DVD. this film makes me cry everytime. its right up there with "21 grams" in my book. this is such a beautiful film about loss, abandonment, sacrifice. I even own the original score soundtrack by Nyman. now I'm sorry if its not action packed or super exciting to you. but think about it... was anything you did today *really* that amazing? because I think the movie didn't stray far from resembling real life situations of that time period. this film should be treasured and seen by many.

"One day you wake up afraid you're going to live."- Christina Ricci, Prozac nation

[–] DarkHalf1 19 years ago

I agree with the above comments that this isnt a great film. It is however, worthy of recognition for a variety of reasons already mentioned. I havent seen Altman's film but the main issue 'The Claim' deals with is Dillon and if youve read the Hardy book, you will understand how well his character was transfered onto the screen. There is something very subtle in the way Winterbottom displays Dilon's shame and regret, even though the title of the film (mainly) refers to the time Dillon sold his wife out. Winterbottom doesnt hit you over the head with Life Lessons. There is no scene where Dillon is suddenly very articulate and overbearing, expressing his regret. This is a real man with real suffering in his heart and what he does and what he doesnt say reflect this.

SPOILERS

Just look at the end. The man burned his whole town down and chose to freeze to death by himself! One of the all-time great movie deaths

[–] 19 years ago

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[–] archer1949 18 years ago

Perhaps there are certain stylistic similarities between this film and McCabe and Mrs. Miller, but I think that this is an improvement on Atman's film.

I have never been a fan of Altman. I find his improvisational, "let's make it up as we go along" style of filmaking boring and annoying. Anyone who says story and plot (as he has said many times) is not important to a film will win no favor from me. Life is too short for pointless rambling and ruminations, which is how I see Altman's work. To me, he's just sloppy and lazy. I appreciate his reputation and influence, but I do not enjoy his work. Never did, since our esthetic sense are diametrically opposed.

To me, the script IS the film. Without that, you have nothing. Winterbottom does not forget this. Every film he has done has started with a solid script, no matter how lose his story seems to me. The idea of taking Hardy and movie to the Old West is brilliant and works wonderfully. Character, Story, talent to make it all come alive, it's all there. It's why I can rewatch this film over and over, whereas the "brilliant" McCabe and Mrs. Miller makes me yawn.

If Christ was a carpenter, how much did he charge for bookshelves?.

[–] Wuchak (8314) 5 years ago

Yeah, the morose "McCabe" seemed to revel in the ugly side of life and the Old West with its focus on life at a brothel. The first half is genuinely tedious with its mundane story, dull story and overuse of Leonard Cohen songs, but the second half is great.

"The Claim" is all around superior: More interesting characters (less one-dimensional), more compelling story, spectacular locations and less focus on a house of ill repute.

[–] 20 years ago

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[–] 18 years ago

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[–] mercylesschild 18 years ago

Yeah I liked this film.. a lot. Deserved at least some recognition, not as a "great" film, but as a really good one. *nods* Very atmospheric and not over-done.

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] XResidentXEvilX 18 years ago

its sort of boring and doesn't really have a back bone to the story, its hard to get into it

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] dottir466 18 years ago

It deserves recognition for its visual beauty, but not so much for its dramatic qualities.

[–] DarunZahn 17 years ago

The drama can be very subtle and the characters don't wear their thoughts and emotions on their sleeves as most films would have them do. Dalglish (Wes Bentley) for example I thought was a very complex character of how he had a dream of building a railroad that he was willing to work very hard for, even the knowing threat of accidents and "accidents". You can sense an underlying tension between everyone. At first it is hidden beneath the surface, but when the party returns to collect their materials, the tension comes out immediately. Some points I wanted other peoples opinions are is if Dalglish at all had any feelings for Lucia or if that was just part of his job to get her to move the town?

Overall, I enjoyed the film, which is a lot for me since I am not usually interested in "westerns". At first it was slightly slow for my tastes but it picks up very well at the end and finishes well. Not a perfect film, but one that does deserve recognition.

[–] dreamonforever1 16 years ago

the comparisons to "mc cabe and mrs. miller" are not exaggerated. but, you've got to remember that this film is based on a hardy novel, whereas altman's film came from an original script - and was made many, many years earlier than "the claim."
both are quality creative products; i think i prefer "mc cabe" just a little because it's altman's take on the western.

gregory 013008

[–] fuzzy_maiden 12 years ago

Highly under rated film. Its almost as emotional as 'Legends of the Fall' which is a real tear jerker.