Leigh is also quite good, adding another depressed neurotic to her canon of roles, and Plummer memorably fills out yet another righteously indignant villain. Strathairn and young Muth also perform well — you'll hate him and feel her pain.

But the screenplay by Tony Gilroy ("The Cutting Edge") and direction by Taylor Hackford ("An Officer and a Gentleman," "Mortal Thoughts") seem unable to reach the level of emotion for which the actors strive. And without any supernatural elements in the Stephen King-based story, perhaps horror was never the aim here. There's nothing wrong with that, but the film also lacks tension and suspense — or even enough compelling emotion to make for a satisfactory thriller or melodrama.

Still, fans of King's work will want to go — and for those who enjoy watching screen actors improve on a mundane script, Bates and Leigh together may be enough. They certainly act up a storm.

"Dolores Claiborne" is rated R for violence, profanity and vulgarity.