For writer Paul Sheldon (James Caan The Godfather, Las Vegas) super-fans are just part of the territory when you’re the creator of a popular book series. How do you prepare for the ultimate fan though? That zealot that thinks they know you better than you know yourself?
Taking his ritual hiatus to Colorado, Sheldon plans to finish his latest novel that will help him transition away from his romance saga. After celebrating with himself and a bottle of Dom, he packs up to return to New York. Had he listened to the radio, he would have known about an impending blizzard, but then he wouldn’t be rescued by his number one fan, Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates Delores Claiborne, The Office). There also wouldn’t be a story.
Misery, based on Stephen King’s novel by the same name, is one of King’s more critically acclaimed films, earning Kathy Bates an Oscar for best actress. This film is probably one of King’s slowest moving films; most of the movie takes place within the one room, and builds on the panic of being trapped. Not relying on all the bells and whistles of ghosts, slashers or monsters, King, instead, takes his audience on a trip into the mind of a deranged, attention starved, obsessed fan. When it comes down to it, aren’t people the scariest monsters, anyway?
Kathy Bates is an extremely versatile actress, just check out her film list if you don't believe me. While I love to watch her in comedic roles, like Jo Bennett on The Office, her portrayal of Annie Wilkes will blow you away. Without giving too much away, Bates moves between a sweet, quiet lady into a vengeful beast. Even though Misery moves slowly, it's easy to get wrapped up in Annie's world, cowering and wondering what comes next. Fanaticism combined with instability is a terrible mix for Paul Sheldon, but perfect for keeping viewers on the edge of their seats.
To ease the agony and anxiousness that you get from watching Paul and Annie interact, we get little scenes with a doddering, crime-fighting couple: sheriff Buster (Richard Farnsworth The Grey Fox) and his deputy-wife Virginia (Frances Sternhagen Golden Years, The Mist). Besides fulfilling their purpose as comic relief, these two characters are heartwarming. Between their antics and squabbling, they represent King's ever explored undying love and family dynamic. Buster and Virginia had me laughing at several points in the movie, and were almost successful in drawing me away from the horrors going on in the film.
While not scary in a make you scream sort of way Misery is terrifyingly realistic. Directed by Rob Reiner (This is Spinal Tap, Stand by Me), this a film that requires your full attention. If you’re in the mood for a shallow, mindless film, this isn’t the movie you’re looking for. However, if you want to be engrossed in a psychological thriller, you should check Misery out. I remember watching this movie with my aunt when I was seven years old, thinking I was so cool for watching an R-rated movie. I didn’t appreciate the subtleties of the movie then, but now it’s probably one of my favorites because of the way it makes you think.
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