DVD Review
"Misery" serves up classic horror
John Gregg
Issue date: 11/9/09 Section: Entertainment
In his masterful adaptation of Stephen King's "Misery," director Rob Reiner proves the phrase "I'm your number one fan" can be more terrifying than zombies with chainsaws.
"Misery" (1990) focuses on a fictional best-selling novelist, Paul Sheldon (James Caan). Sheldon is famous for penning the "Misery" novels, which are apparently about an Old English heroine, Misery Chastaine. Paul, however, has grown tired of Misery and kills her off in his latest book.
The classic horror yarn begins when Sheldon crashes his car during a severe snowstorm in Colorado. Badly injured, he is rescued and taken to the safety of an old farmhouse by a seemingly good Samaritan named Annie Wilkes (Oscar winner Kathy Bates). Wilkes later insists she is his "number one fan."
Indeed, she has read all the "Misery" novels (except the latest) and keeps them on her own Sheldon shrine in the living room. Annie even has a pet pig named Misery on her farm. Paul finds his hostess a bit odd, at first, but is grateful for her help.
When Annie finds out Paul "murdered" Misery in the newest book, her true nature is revealed. It becomes painfully clear to Sheldon that Annie is insane and plans to hold him prisoner forever. Unwilling to accept the death of Misery Chastaine, Annie forces her favorite author to write another "Misery" book in her honor.
Paul must type nothing short of a masterpiece. If he displeases her, Annie punishes him with violent outbursts and abuse. She even goes as far as shattering his heels with a sledge hammer in the movie's most famous scene.
Perhaps Annie's best moments are when she affectingly sighs, "Oh, Paul" after he suggests something deemed romantic. With two words, Bates gives her character the right balance of lunacy and absurdity. At these times, Wilkes obsessive love for her captive is believable, even though understanding exactly why this fixation developed is more difficult.
There can be no denying Annie is a terrifying villain, but the film certainly has a dark sense of humor about this fact. As Wilkes, Bates routinely works herself into a hysterical frenzy. Her moods range from depressed to enraged to childishly excite.
"Misery" (1990) focuses on a fictional best-selling novelist, Paul Sheldon (James Caan). Sheldon is famous for penning the "Misery" novels, which are apparently about an Old English heroine, Misery Chastaine. Paul, however, has grown tired of Misery and kills her off in his latest book.
The classic horror yarn begins when Sheldon crashes his car during a severe snowstorm in Colorado. Badly injured, he is rescued and taken to the safety of an old farmhouse by a seemingly good Samaritan named Annie Wilkes (Oscar winner Kathy Bates). Wilkes later insists she is his "number one fan."
Indeed, she has read all the "Misery" novels (except the latest) and keeps them on her own Sheldon shrine in the living room. Annie even has a pet pig named Misery on her farm. Paul finds his hostess a bit odd, at first, but is grateful for her help.
When Annie finds out Paul "murdered" Misery in the newest book, her true nature is revealed. It becomes painfully clear to Sheldon that Annie is insane and plans to hold him prisoner forever. Unwilling to accept the death of Misery Chastaine, Annie forces her favorite author to write another "Misery" book in her honor.
Paul must type nothing short of a masterpiece. If he displeases her, Annie punishes him with violent outbursts and abuse. She even goes as far as shattering his heels with a sledge hammer in the movie's most famous scene.
Perhaps Annie's best moments are when she affectingly sighs, "Oh, Paul" after he suggests something deemed romantic. With two words, Bates gives her character the right balance of lunacy and absurdity. At these times, Wilkes obsessive love for her captive is believable, even though understanding exactly why this fixation developed is more difficult.
There can be no denying Annie is a terrifying villain, but the film certainly has a dark sense of humor about this fact. As Wilkes, Bates routinely works herself into a hysterical frenzy. Her moods range from depressed to enraged to childishly excite.