Claire Dolan
Official Selection - Cannes Film Festival
Claire Dolan is an Irish immigrant, working as a Manhattan call girl, paying off a debt she owes her pimp, Roland Cain. She's almost without affect, much like the sterile, glass-and-concrete high-rises where she lives and works. Violence lurks just below the surface. Cain can be menacing as are men who approach her. When her mother dies, Claire tries to escape the life, moving to Newark, visiting a cousin, working as a manicurist, realizing that she wants to have a baby, and going out a couple of times with a cabby. But Cain finds her and insists on payment, so she returns to Manhattan. The cabby wants to help: can Claire leave prostitution and find happiness in motherhood?
Member Reviews
This movie is most excellent - Pitou
The subject is serious since we are watching the story of a woman desiring to change her life from being a prostitute to a mother. Two things are particularly of interest. First, the depiction of gender relations; Claire is clearly in a situation of domination from her pimp. The men, who purchase her services, also treat her as if she were merchandise (probably similar to what they are probably selling when they go back to their day jobs). Second, the movie making; many interesting frames, out of the ordinary editing, stoic acting (it is normal – she is not feeling anything, why would she be playing) and also absolutely no explanation about why she is doing what she is. The spectator is often left in the black – this is why I liked it so much. This may not be an uprising movie, but, as one that depicts the difficulties of a woman trying to lead a normal life after many years of living at the edges, I’ve rarely seen any better. I was impressed.Excellent piece of work ! - kap0n3
"Claire Dolan" is the kind of film which will have very limited appeal. It's tells of a call girl's struggle to build a new, more conventional life for herself. The drama is so bleak it will likely bore those who cannot tune into the compelling psychodramatic undercurrents. It's an austere but artful shoot as well with an emphasis on geometry and deemphasis on color. Even the script is minimalistic as the characters speak in direct, abbreviated, and clipped dialogue. With no "feel good" ending to be found, the film is likely to be a turn off for most. However, there's no denying it's an excellent piece of work.
Member Reviews
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This movie is most excellent - Pitou
The subject is serious since we are watching the story of a woman desiring to change her life from being a prostitute to a mother. Two things are particularly of interest. First, the depiction of gender relations; Claire is clearly in a situation of domination ...Excellent piece of work ! - kap0n3
"Claire Dolan" is the kind of film which will have very limited appeal. It's tells of a call girl's struggle to build a new, more conventional life for herself. The drama is so bleak it will likely bore those who cannot tune into the compelling psychodramatic ...