Review of The Claim (2000) by Alison O — 12 Jul 2005

Best in Show: Peter Mullan.

One for the future: Sarah Polley.

Stand-out scene: Cabin confession.

Brainer or no-brainer: Brainer.

Stands up to one viewing or repeated?: Repeated.

DVD commentary any good?: n/a/.

TV.

British director Michael Winterbottom made this between With or Without You and 24 Hour Party People, Thomas Hardy's story The Mayor of Casterbridge transplanted to America circa the Goldrush. Assembling an impressive cast which features Peter Mullan, Sarah Polley, Wes Bentley and Milla Jovovitch, Winterbottom has crafted another absorbing movie, the Canadian and Coloradan vistas he presents us with nothing less than awe-inspiring. Scripted by regular Winterbottom collaborator Frank Cottrell Boyce, once the (all fully-rounded) characters are established, the compelling storyline holds your attention even if you're familiar with the hardy Hardy original. Sarah Polley should have been Oscar nominated for her work as Hope and as ensemble casts go i've rarely seen better. The construction of the American railroads forms a backdrop to the main story; the arrival in pioneer township Kingdom Come by Elena Burn (Nastassja Kinsky) and her daughter Hope. Having hitched a ride with representatives of the railroad constructors (lead by Wes Bentley) they set up home in the township. Its founding father Daniel Dillon (Mullan), whose mistress is brothel-keeper Lucia (Jovovich) discovers that the new arrivals are the wife and child he exchanged for a small amount of gold while Hope was still a baby. Beautifully shot and never less than interesting (as well as a touch bawdy), this is worth seeking out.