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Misery (1990)
Director: Rob Reiner
Cast overview: James Caan, Kathy Bates
Running time: 107 minutes
This was the role that launched Kathy Bates into public prominence and, boy, did she deserve it. Her performance here is terrific, scintillating, gripping, crazy - give it any description you want and you likely won't be far off. She plays Annie Wilkes, a crazed fan of fictional writer Paul Sheldon (played by James Caan), and she does it with gusto. Her appearance instantly gives off the crazy lady imagery but her demeanour and personality only reinforces the belief. She's so disturbing in the film that you wonder if she's like that in real-life. Of course, I'm joking, but her performance truly is something special and utterly deserving of the Oscar for Best Actress she received.
James Caan is also good, but he doesn't need to be. They could have had a scarecrow in the bed and the film would still have been a classic, for it's Bates' performance that elevates it from a solid seven to a ten-out-of-ten classic film.
Rob Reiner's directorship is fine, and the snowy scenery increases the atmosphere tenfold, and serves to increase the feelings of isolation of Sheldon - Kubrick did something similar in The Shining (incidentally, both are adaptations of Stephen King novels). It also serves to remind the viewer of the uphill struggle - literally, in a sense - that Sheldon is facing.
The plot is obviously adapted from King's novel, but the screenplay is also well-written and moves things along at a nice pace. You really have to feel for the helplessness of Sheldon's situation. Another great aspect is that, despite Wilkes' undoubted nuttiness, the plot doesn't at all feel unbelievable.
This is a perfect film, in my view; not only have you got first-rate acting, particularly from Kathy Bates, but there's also a great plot, a good screenplay, and the setting and atmosphere all come together with taut writing to give a film that is as gripping as it is entertaining. Very highly recommended.
Quotes
Annie Wilkes: I thought you were good Paul... but you're not good. You're just another lying ol' dirty birdy.
Annie Wilkes: I am your number one fan. There is nothing to worry about. You are going to be just fine. I am your number one fan.
Annie Wilkes: It's the swearing, Paul. It has no nobility.
Paul Sheldon: These are slum kids, I was a slum kid. Everybody talks like that.
Annie Wilkes: THEY DO NOT! At the feedstore do I say, "Oh, now Wally, give me a bag of that F-in' pig feed, and a pound of that bitchly cow corn"? At the bank do I say, "Oh, Mrs. Malenger, here is one big bastard of a check, now give me some of your Christ-ing money!" THERE, LOOK THERE, NOW SEE WHAT YOU MADE ME DO!
Trivia
Jack Nicholson was offered the role of Paul Sheldon but passed because he wasn't sure he wanted to do another movie based on one of Stephen King's novels after what he had experienced with Stanley Kubrick on The Shining (1980).
One of Stephen King's first typewriters had a malfunctioning "N" key, just like the one used by James Caan in the movie.
As of 2013 this is the only Stephen King adaptation to receive an Academy Award.
Trailer
Director: Rob Reiner
Cast overview: James Caan, Kathy Bates
Running time: 107 minutes
This was the role that launched Kathy Bates into public prominence and, boy, did she deserve it. Her performance here is terrific, scintillating, gripping, crazy - give it any description you want and you likely won't be far off. She plays Annie Wilkes, a crazed fan of fictional writer Paul Sheldon (played by James Caan), and she does it with gusto. Her appearance instantly gives off the crazy lady imagery but her demeanour and personality only reinforces the belief. She's so disturbing in the film that you wonder if she's like that in real-life. Of course, I'm joking, but her performance truly is something special and utterly deserving of the Oscar for Best Actress she received.
James Caan is also good, but he doesn't need to be. They could have had a scarecrow in the bed and the film would still have been a classic, for it's Bates' performance that elevates it from a solid seven to a ten-out-of-ten classic film.
Rob Reiner's directorship is fine, and the snowy scenery increases the atmosphere tenfold, and serves to increase the feelings of isolation of Sheldon - Kubrick did something similar in The Shining (incidentally, both are adaptations of Stephen King novels). It also serves to remind the viewer of the uphill struggle - literally, in a sense - that Sheldon is facing.
The plot is obviously adapted from King's novel, but the screenplay is also well-written and moves things along at a nice pace. You really have to feel for the helplessness of Sheldon's situation. Another great aspect is that, despite Wilkes' undoubted nuttiness, the plot doesn't at all feel unbelievable.
This is a perfect film, in my view; not only have you got first-rate acting, particularly from Kathy Bates, but there's also a great plot, a good screenplay, and the setting and atmosphere all come together with taut writing to give a film that is as gripping as it is entertaining. Very highly recommended.
Quotes
Annie Wilkes: I thought you were good Paul... but you're not good. You're just another lying ol' dirty birdy.
Annie Wilkes: I am your number one fan. There is nothing to worry about. You are going to be just fine. I am your number one fan.
Annie Wilkes: It's the swearing, Paul. It has no nobility.
Paul Sheldon: These are slum kids, I was a slum kid. Everybody talks like that.
Annie Wilkes: THEY DO NOT! At the feedstore do I say, "Oh, now Wally, give me a bag of that F-in' pig feed, and a pound of that bitchly cow corn"? At the bank do I say, "Oh, Mrs. Malenger, here is one big bastard of a check, now give me some of your Christ-ing money!" THERE, LOOK THERE, NOW SEE WHAT YOU MADE ME DO!
Trivia
Jack Nicholson was offered the role of Paul Sheldon but passed because he wasn't sure he wanted to do another movie based on one of Stephen King's novels after what he had experienced with Stanley Kubrick on The Shining (1980).
One of Stephen King's first typewriters had a malfunctioning "N" key, just like the one used by James Caan in the movie.
As of 2013 this is the only Stephen King adaptation to receive an Academy Award.
Trailer