Review of Misery (1990) by Jordan F — 04 May 2011

Audience everywhere would rather be crippled for life than be nursed back to health by the psycho Annie Wilkes.

Misery is the adapted film from the great Stephen King about novelist Paul Sheldon, played by James Caan, the successful writer of the "Misery" series. After having written Misery into the ground for several years Paul decides it's time to retire Misery and kills off the beloved character in his latest book. Moving onto his new project he spends months hidden away in a hotel in the mountains of Colorado writing his new project.

After completing his newest manuscript Paul checks out of his hotel and drives his old mustang back into town. However a severe snow storm makes driving an impossibility as Paul drives right off the hill.

Paul awakens in the guest room of Annie Wilkes, played by Kathy Bates, a retired nurse living by her lonesome in a secluded cabin. Annie tells Paul that she's his biggest fan and she has read every single one of his Misery books. With the storm knocking out the phone lines and roads Annie tells Paul it's best he just sit tight for awhile while his body heals. Paul's legs are shattered and one of his shoulders has been dislocated.

After a couple of days of being nursed back to health Paul is anxious to speak with his agent and daughter but when Annie reads Paul's latest Misery novel she explodes with outrage. She won't stand for her beloved Misery's death. Annie, showing her psychotic and violent tendencies forces Paul to burn his newest manuscript and holds Paul prisoner until he writes the revival of Misery. Locked in a room and presumed dead by the outside world, Paul only hope is the local sheriff, played by Richard Farnsworth who is slowly flowing bread crumbs of his disappearance.

Misery is great screenplay with a solid accumulation of twists and turns. The shooting style is a little dated but the use of wide angle close ups does wonders for making Annie Wilkes the scariest nurse you've ever seen. Her bipolar performance is definitely worthy of the Oscar. James Caan is also terrific as the witty and clever writer. I mainly know him from his stereotypical bad-guy roles but he also plays a great sympathetic cripple. One thing that I have to note is the amazing job done on the make up. The swollen broken legs of Paul look absolutely disgusting. Misery is a great horror flick and Kathy Bates will probably go down as the most terrifying nurse in cinematic history.

Who this film is not for:

-Even though I'm not into the horror genre, I really enjoyed this film. However some people who hate scary movies will probably want to stay away.