Review of Misery (1990) by Noah Abraham G — 09 Sep 2012

I've often wondered what it would be like to have a stalker. Personally, I'd find it flattering, but I guess my opinion would change if I was ever in that situation. "Misery" certainly doesn't make it look very fun.

James Caan plays Paul Sheldon, a writer who has finally decided to end his series of cheap romance novels by killing its title character, Misery Chastain. Driving home from a hotel in Colorado, his car crashes and he is found by a former nurse, Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates) who happens to be his number one fan. The phones are down, and it seems that no help is coming any time soon, despite the work of dedicated Sheriff Buster (Richard Farnsworth).

Kathy Bates won an Oscar for this film, and she deserved it. Annie is a terrifying creation, even when pleasant. ESPECIALLY when pleasant. The film is primarily a psychological battle between Annie and the incapacitated Sheldon, which quickly tuns physical when Annie gets violent.

All the acting is quite good, really. Caan is a magnificent straight man for Kathy Bates to play off of, and Richard Farnsworth is pretty delightful in his scenes. They add a light, gentle comedy to contrast with the horror and dark humor in the rest of the film.

There's also nice pacing to this film, never needing to go back when it escalates. There is a mystery to who Annie is, and it's nicely told without being explicitly stated. Also, there is a pig.

If anything could be said against the film, it's mainly that it's an extremely simple story. It doesn't take very many risks, and there are no real big surprises. The film grows a little ridiculous at the end as well, and... I really wanted more Buster.

All in all, a taut, fun, thrilling thriller. Sure, it doesn't really do anything new, but what it does do it does extremely well. How many modern day thrillers can say the same?