"Greed in All its ‘Glory’"
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What You Need To Know:
A fine ensemble cast, a reasonably good soundtrack and fantastic scenery (filming actually took place in Alberta, Canada) cannot save this movie from being agonizingly slow and shallow. THE CLAIM also suffers from unfocused shots, distracting hand-held camera shots, confusing flashback scenes, and abrupt editing. The story also contains some violence, sexuality, nudity, and other objectionable content. Greed is the primary focus of this movie, and it is alternately praised and rebuked. Don’t be fooled, THE CLAIM will lead you down a wayward path
Content:
(HH, C, PaPa, LL, VV, SS, NN, AA, DD, M) Humanist worldview with mild Christian themes wherein several dramas & unnecessary subplots play out in a California Gold Rush-era mountain town plus themes of greed, lust, redemption, & punishment send very mixed messages in this mess of a movie; 10 obscenities & 3 blasphemies & some vulgarities & sexual talk; some intense violence, with stealing rebuked in a public whipping, man shot, two execution shotgun murders, fighting, explosion, brief scene of blood & body parts, running horse engulfed in flames; numerous brothel & saloon scenes, sexual talk, seduction, man fornicates with two women, & suggested masturbation; brief full female nudity; alcohol use & drunkenness; smoking & drug use; and, grief-induced death & greedy man sells wife & baby for gold.
More Detail:
THE CLAIM is an examination of human depravity, subsequent consequences and the world’s idea of redemption (worldly success).
In the story, a woman named Elena (Nastassja Kinski) and her daughter, Hope, travel to a California Gold Rush-era town to confront the man who sold them for gold 20 years earlier. Daniel Dillon (Peter Mullan), the husband, is the town’s wealthy owner, profiting from his successful brothel, saloon and bank in Kingdom Come. Dillon has even won the affections of an exotic prostitute named Lucia (Mila Jovovich). Also coming into town is Mr. Dalglish (Wes Bentley), a surveyor seeking the best location for the construction of the new trans-continental railroad while pursuing the affections of young Hope (Sarah Polley). Meanwhile, Lucia inherits the brothel, seduces Dalglish and decides to move her operation to a new town in the valley. Also, Dalglish’s assistant wants to marry the prostitute on whom he spends all his money.
This soap opera-thick script is bogged down as the movie cannot decide which story to feature and which to resolve. The conflicts are so artificially manufactured that viewers may be reminded of World Wrestling.
On the other hand, a few redemptive scenes are glimpsed. A husband and wife are reunited, a man shows mercy to another, a priest prays, and Scripture is heard at a wedding and funeral. Greed, however, is the primary focus of the movie, and it is alternately praised and rebuked. A town engulfed in flames at the end of the movie is intended to remind viewers of Hell’s flames, and the consequences of pursuing empty passions.
A fine ensemble cast, a reasonably good soundtrack and fantastic scenery (filming actually took place in Alberta, Canada) cannot save this movie from being agonizingly slow and shallow. THE CLAIM also suffers from unfocused shots, distracting hand-held camera shots, confusing flashback scenes, and abrupt editing. The story also contains some violence, sexuality, nudity, and other objectionable content. Don’t be fooled, THE CLAIM will lead you down a wayward path.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
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