"Misery" (1990)

Rating: R

Genre: Drama, Horror, Mystery & Suspense

Directed By: Rob Reiner

Written By: William Goldman

Released: November 30^th, 1990

Runtime: 107 minutes

Studio: Columbia Pictures

Summary:

After a serious car crash, novelist Paul Sheldon (James Caan) is rescued by former nurse Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates), who claims to be his biggest fan. Annie brings him to her remote cabin to recover, where her obsession takes a dark turn when she discovers Sheldon is killing off her favourite character from his novels. As Sheldon devises plans for escape, Annie grows increasingly controlling, even violent, as she forces the author to shape his writing to suit her twisted fantasies.

Review:

I’ve been meaning to watch this film for ages. I’ve heard so many references to it and I’m lead to believe it was the role that rose Kathy Bates to stardom. And rightly so! The woman is amazing. The character is completely insane and Kathy Bates plays this out with unreal talent.

The film always keeps the tension going, always ramps up the suspense. Kathy Bates’ character is so unpredictable we’re never sure how she’s going to react next. It’s scary. Some moments I was looking through my hands, I’ll be honest. I did get really sucked into the whole story. It pulls you in so quickly and so seamlessly. Rob Reiner is fantastic. I love so many of his movies. 

James Caan is wonderfully sarcastic and brings a little humour to the thrilling affair. It’s short lived because we spend the most of the film fearing for his life. So many close escapes, so many will-he-won’t-he moments. 

There was a moment where she made him burn his only manuscript of his latest book because she didn't like the ending. I'm sorry if that's a tiny spoiler. I think it happens fairly early on anyway. The moment made me cry. As a writer and knowing the amount of work that would have gone into a manuscript like that...I found the scene so heartbreaking. 

This film is definitely worth seeing. Immensely enjoyable! Of the Stephen King novel adaptations I've seen, I think this might be my favourite. 

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