Misery: You’re a Dirty Bird if You Don’t Enjoy This
Contains spoilers!
In my review for Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining, I stated that it ranks as one of my top three movies of all time. That is still true, but it doesn’t top the bill when it comes to ranking my favorite Stephen King adaptations. For that honor, we have 2 contenders: Pet Sematary (1989) and Misery (1990). Directed by Rob Reiner, the famous novelist Paul Sheldon (James Caan) is seriously injured in a serious car accident. He is rescued by nurse Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates), who is his self-proclaimed “number one fan.” When she learns that Paul has killed Misery, the main character of his series, she flies into a rage and demands she be brought back to life.
The reason that this movie ranks so high in my ranking is the closeness to the source material. Reiner and screenwriter William Goldman (who also wrote Reiner’s The Princess Bride) faithfully adapt King’s novel into a fluid, cohesive film, despite a few nitpick changes. I’d argue that the changes (notably some character additions) allow the viewer to see the world outside of Annie’s home, giving us a chance to breathe.
Bates as Annie steals every scene she’s in, almost effortlessly. She’s magnetic to watch, switching from sweet, almost submissive, to furious and psychotic at the drop of a hat. Her passion for Misery changes her perception of Sheldon: from a hero that can do no wrong to the devil himself, out with a vendetta against Annie herself. Her character also shows the dark side of how we, as the audience, can latch onto and care for a character; just know your limits, folks.
It is important not to undervalue Caan’s performance. He masterfully sells Sheldon’s thoughts of “Jesus, this woman is nuts!” He stays calm throughout as he tries to come up with a means to escape his captivity. When he does succeed, we’re just as thrilled as he is.
The additions of Sherrif Buster (Richard Farnsworth) and his wife and deputy Virginia (Frances Sternhagen) add both comic relief and a sense of mystery to the film. Buster is contacted by Sheldon’s agent (Lauren Bacall) and sets out to find him. We see his process every step of the way, including his discovery of Annie’s use of a Misery quote years earlier. It’s a bitter pill to swallow when Buster meets his tragic end at the business end of Annie’s shotgun.
Misery is a film that has it all: a smart protagonist, a compelling antagonist, excellent camerawork, and a score that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Check it out, but make sure to avoid the sledgehammers next time you’re at the hardware store.
Cast
James Caan as Paul Sheldon
Kathy Bates as Annie Wilkes
Richard Farnsworth as Buster
Frances Sternhagen as Virginia
Lauren Bacall as Marcia Sindell
