‘Paul Sheldon used to write for a living. Now, he’s writing to stay alive’
Misery is a 1990 American psychological thriller film based on Stephen King’s 1987 novel of the same name and starring James Caan, Kathy Bates, Lauren Bacall, Richard Farnsworth, and Frances Sternhagen. Directed by Rob Reiner, the film received critical acclaim for Bates’s performance as the psychopathic Annie Wilkes, and she won the 1990 Academy Award for Best Actress for her role.
Plot teaser:
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…
The part of Paul Sheldon was originally offered to William Hurt (twice), then Kevin Kline, Michael Douglas, Harrison Ford, Dustin Hoffman, Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Richard Dreyfuss, Gene Hackman and Robert Redford, but they all turned it down. Warren Beatty was interested in the role, wanting to turn him into a less passive character, but eventually had to drop out as post-production of Dick Tracy extended. Eventually someone suggested James Caan, who agreed to play the part. Caan commented that he was attracted by how Sheldon was a role unlike any other of his, and that “being a totally reactionary character is really much tougher.”
In the original novel, Annie Wilkes lops off one of Paul Sheldon’s feet with an axe. Goldman loved the scene and argued for it to be included, but Reiner insisted that it be changed to that she only breaks his ankles. Goldman subsequently agreed this was the correct decision as amputation would have been too severe.
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Reviews:
‘The terror in the film is very slow-burning, starting as something only mildly disturbing and carefully building towards full-blown horror. We’re given plenty of time to get to know the characters rather intimately, making the climactic confrontational scenes all the more effective. Too many thrillers and horror films jump right into the action without providing sufficient reason for us to care about what is happening. In Misery, the set-up is strong and the payoff is worth it.’ DVD Verdict
‘Yes, the book was richer, but for what it was Misery the film captured its black humour and its essential worries about who exploits whom in the entertainment world in an economical setting, and still made the audience wince where it counted.’ The Spinning Image
‘Many competent directors could have done what Reiner does here, and perhaps many other actors could have done what Caan does, although the Kathy Bates performance is trickier and more special. The result is good craftsmanship, and a movie that works. It does not illuminate, challenge or inspire, but it works.’ Roger Ebert.com
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