Directed by:
Rob ReinerScreenplay:
William GoldmanCinematography:
Barry SonnenfeldComposer:
Marc ShaimanCast:
James Caan, Kathy Bates, Richard Farnsworth, Frances Sternhagen, Lauren Bacall, Graham Jarvis, J. T. Walsh, Rob Reiner, Archie Hahn, Jerry Potter, Julie Payne (more)VOD (2)
Plots(1)
Sick of his 19th Century romantic heroine, Misery Chastain, novelist Paul Sheldon (James Caan) kills her off and writes a more personal, modern novel. When his car crashes in remote mountains he is saved by 'number one fan' Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates), who adores Misery and has even named her pig after her. As she nurses him back to health at her remote dwelling, he realises she is not just going to let him go. (20th Century Fox UK)
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Reviews (9)
Already while reading the novel I kept telling myself how cool it would be to have a huge bedroom in my house (aka writing factory) where a dozen of my favorite writers would serve me a fresh work of art every day. Enough dreaming and let’s get on with cruel film reality. First I need to say that even though I spend my time here criticizing, I recommend Misery. Particularly because of dear old Kathy Bates in a role of a good soul capable of seeing the good in others. But avoiding getting to the bottom of things unlike in the book turns out to be a little counterproductive. The result is that it makes Reiner’s movie too slick. The fact that the motion sister of the original lacks the impact of the novel is due to the nonexistence of the parallel story of Misery Chastain’s resurrection novel. I understand that it wouldn’t work in the movie (even though with a good director, who knows?) and it’s only logical that this storyline was the first to go, but without it Misery is but a mere eunuch. Although exceptionally well made, for a King adaptation.
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After a fresh experience from Studio DVA, where Zlata Adamovská is irresistible in Misery, I had to check out the film. Kathy Bates, of course, is awesome. I've been hooked on her acting in American Horror Story for years, and Misery was her ticket into that world. Now I just have to compare the fact that in King's dramatization for the theater, there is more room for the absurd world of romantic fiction, while the film is more restrained in this respect. The theater also works better with the time of revelation. However, it's a wonderful topic anyway and I'm looking forward to the book all the more.
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A great book turned into an excellent script. I enjoyed the film all the way through. Both the atmosphere and tension escalate really well. It is basically a two-hander between Kathy Bates and James Caan, who were both chosen perfectly. I consider the scene with the hammer and the cracked ankles to be one of the scariest things ever. I usually have a lot of reservations about a film if I have read the book before watching it, but not in this case. I couldn’t be happier.
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First of all, Rob Reiner’s direction is brilliant. He skillfully leads the actors and brilliantly depicts a depressive and suggestive atmosphere of fear, uncertainty, and apprehension. Moreover, almost all the film takes place in one room, or rather in one house, and it doesn't even detract from its impact. The pace and tension masterfully escalate until the devilish finale.
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Kathy Bates is the court actress of Stephen King's scary horror films, and next to Dolores Claiborne, her portrayal of Annie Wilkes is a perfect and convincing example of quality acting. The atmosphere of the film gradually builds, the emotions could be cut through with a chainsaw and there's some great music to boot. I just quietly enjoyed the performance of the aforementioned actress who made James Caan's life hell. In short, the satisfaction of yet another film adaptation of King's book is truly on point and I am intoxicated beyond measure by it.
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