Review of Misery (1990) by Hermione G — 03 Jul 2012

I was a little late to the party on this one, having never seen it before now, and had only heard good things from everyone - I must say, however, I was slightly disappointed by the overall film, although it might well be one of the most impressive and creepy psychological thrillers ever released.

I know that sentence sounds a bit paradoxical, but allow me to explain; from what I had heard from friends and others, this was a piece of cinema that was groundbreaking and perfect in every sense. When I saw it, I wasn't blown away like I had expected, and this may have affected how I viewed it - I was expecting so much that I was never going to be fully sated by what was on screen, and that is my fault.

Yet, this was one of the most solid and interesting films I've ever seen; directed by Rob Reiner, the man behind cult film Spinal Tap and the amazing Stand By Me, starring James Caan and Kathy Bates, it's the perfect tale of a person stranded with an enemy.

What makes the film more than a simple moral tale, however, is the fact that we, as an audience, identify with Bates' character, even though we know she's a murderer and insane - we understand her lonliness, her isolation and her hunger for company, and we understand that Caan is the person to replace her husband.

The atmosphere is intense and spooky throughout and, although not much in the way of gore or murder occurs, the menacing tone just never shifts - Bates' character is so unhooked and insane that her mood changes may come at anytime and, watching it for the first time, you're scared by when it might come.

It's an amazing and impressive work, increased in spectacle by the dramatic turns by both leads and a solid adaptation of the Stephen King novel.