 A "heart-stopping psychological thriller" (Joel Siegel), this Academy Award-winning film is "one of the best horror movies" (Time) ever. Adapted from a Stephen King novel by Oscar-winning screenwriter William Goldman (All The President's Men) and directed by Rob Reiner (A Few Good Men), this chiller starring Kathy Bates (Titanic) and James Cann (The Godfather) is "a Hitchcockian kind of cat-and-mouse" (The New York Times) game played between two cunning minds -- one as sharp as a tack and the other as blunt as a sledgehammer. Novelist Paul Sheldon (Cann) doesn't remember the blinding blizzard that sent his car spinning off the road. Nor does he remember being nursed back from unconsciousness. All he remembers is waking up in the home of Annie Wilkes (Bates) -- a maniacal fan who is bent on keeping her favorite writer as her personal prisoner...for the rest of his 'cock-a-doodie' life! Storyline: Best-selling novelist Paul Sheldon is on his way home from his Colorado hideaway after completing his latest book, when he crashes his car in a freak blizzard. Paul is critically injured, but is rescued by former nurse Annie Wilkes, Paul's "number one fan", who takes Paul back to her remote house in the mountains (without bothering to tell anybody). Unfortunately for Paul, Annie is also a headcase. When she discovers that Paul has killed off the heroine in her favorite novels, her reaction leaves Paul shattered (literally)... Written by Andrew Backhouse (andback74) Reviewer's Note: Reviewed by Dustin Somner on September 30, 2009 -- Following on the heels of The Princess Bride and When Harry Met Sally, director Rob Reiner decided to try his hands at a much different genre. As we all know, Hollywood adaptations of Stephen King novels have met with varying levels of success, but Misery marked the second time Reiner directed a story from the prolific horror writer (his first film adaptation was Stand by Me). Upon its theatrical release in 1990, the film was met with wide critical acclaim, which many attribute to Kathy Bates portrayal of a psychopathic country bumpkin (she won the Academy Award and Golden Globe for Best Actress). I've seen Misery on at least five occasions over the years, and it continues to provide the same level of tension I experienced in my initial viewing. Paul Sheldon (James Caan) is a well-known author of romance novels centered on a character named Misery Chastaine. Having completed his latest novel at a country lodge in Silver Creek, Paul sets off through a snow covered pass to deliver the manuscript to his publisher. Along the way, he loses control of his car and crashes into a ditch along the side of the road. As he regains consciousness the next day, he looks down to find his legs severely fractured in the crash, and learns his savior is a middle-aged ex-nurse who runs a pig farm. Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates) describes herself as Paul's number one fan, who relied on the stories of Misery Chastaine to make it through some tough stretches in her life and feels incredibly fortunate to have been given the opportunity to take care of Paul. Unfortunately, everything takes a turn for the worst when Paul's latest Misery novel is released to the local store and Annie finds out Paul killed off the star in the conclusion of the series. In a rage, she demands he make it right by completing a new novel that resurrects the heroine, locking him in her house until it's completed. Desperate for a way out, but physically unable to protect himself or escape, Paul attempts to weather Annie's psychotic outbursts and devise a plan to make it through the ordeal with his life.If you're looking for edge-of-your-seat entertainment, Misery will fit the bill perfectly. The tone is absolutely unnerving as Bates lulls the audience to sleep with her happy-go-lucky side, only to catch us by surprise with her pulse-pounding outbursts of uncontrollable rage. Watching her spiral out of control as she scolds Paul about the use of profanity in his new novel give us our first taste of what's to come, but it's not until she learns of Misery's death that we get a true taste of just how demented the woman is. Watching a film of this nature makes us ponder what we would do in Paul's situation, which steadily turns from bad to worse as the film progresses. He knows his captor is demented from an early point in the film, but as Annie so eloquently states "If she dies, he dies". Paul must constantly remember he's not only a prisoner by Annie's choice, but also a prisoner by his own physical circumstances. It gives the film an almost claustrophobic effect that adds to the building tension.One of the effective aspects of the plot in Misery, is the cat-and-mouse game that Paul and Annie play with one another in the second half of the film. I don't want to give away spoilers (in case there are readers that somehow missed the film up to this point), but Paul ends up becoming just as crafty as Annie through the final act. This is a culmination of his earlier attempts that either result in accidental failure or a tendency to always remain one step behind Annie. I won't divulge what happens, but every time the wine scene approaches, I cringe in anticipation of what's about to take place.From an acting standpoint, Misery is a grand achievement across the board. As I mentioned before, Kathy Bates won Best Actress in 1990 for her portrayal of Annie Wilkes, and I can't imagine a more deserving recipient. Moving flawlessly between innocent sweetness and vicious rage, Bates owns your attention every time she steps into a scene, keeping us guessing with the ever-shifting personality of her character. Caan is equally impressive in the role of Paul, which requires him to remain in a bed or a wheelchair through the entire length of the film. His ability to convey vulnerability over a tough-guy facade is a testament to his acting abilities, and I hope we see more leading roles thrown his way in the coming years. Lastly, I have to briefly mention the late Richard Farnsworth as the local sheriff. Though his part in the film isn't as extensive or challenging as Bates or Caan, he's the perfect choice for a role that demands little more than a soft exterior and a good heart. One of the pivotal moments in the film (and most shocking) involves his character, but I don't think it would be nearly as important if we didn't gravitate toward Farnsworth's charming portrayal in the early stages of the story. If anything, Misery is worth watching simply for the performances from the talented cast. Misery easily tops my list of most memorable thrillers and remains just as tense today as it was back in 1990. With sure-handed direction from one of the greatest directors in Hollywood, a cast brimming with legendary actors, and a story penned by the master of horror himself, the film should remain an iconic classic for years to come. From a technical standpoint, this edition offers viewers a dramatic upgrade over any prior release, making this an easy recommendation for any film-lover. Halloween's just around the corner, so grab a copy of Misery, avoid snow-covered roads, and be thankful you don't have a number one fan with a sledgehammer. Cast Notes: James Caan (Paul Sheldon), Kathy Bates (Annie Wilkes), Richard Farnsworth (Buster), Frances Sternhagen (Virginia), Lauren Bacall (Marcia Sindell), Graham Jarvis (Libby), Clayton Moore (Pete [as Jerry Potter]), Thomas Brunelle (Anchorman [as Tom Brunelle]), June Christopher (Anchorwoman), Julie Payne (Reporter #1), Archie Hahn III (Reporter #2), Gregory Snegoff (Reporter #3), Wendy Bowers (Waitress), Misery the Pig (Herself). IMDb Rating (07/31/14): 7.8/10 from 109,698 users IMDb Rating (05/31/10): 7.8/10 from 39,537 users
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