Misery/Rob Reiner/May 1991
Flattery can only go so far before it becomes obsession, or so Misery would have us believe. Loner Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates) rescues and nurses author Paul Sheldon (James Caan)after a car accident, keeping him captive to fuel her obsession with his Misery book series.
It takes a little while to get off the ground, but once it does Misery becomes utterly gripping. Bates’ performance won her acclaim and an Oscar, and it’s not difficult to see why. Her character is utterly terrifying in her obliviousness to her own insanity, but Bates makes her more than just a psychotic spinster. Despite her cruelty, we feel sorry for Annie, left by her husband and living alone with only the dream of Misery to keep her going. Bates brings out the rage and the pathos with equal measure, demonstrating her admirable talent as an actress. The sheer range of emotions needed for the character – spontaneous rage, listless depression, delighted eagerness – prove Bates’ versatility. Although Bates overshadows her co-star, Caan is believable in his role as Sheldon, and we fully sympathise with his pain and his plight, rooting for him to escape and breathing a sigh of relief when he survives another round of torture.
The tension is almost unbearable at some points. The filming techniques – such as intercutting shots of Sheldon attempting to re-lock his door to avoid discovery as Annie unlocks the main door – excellently highlight the fraught atmosphere. Likewise, the score adds an unsettling edge to the film that adds to our fear. The graphically violent moments are used with a discerning manner, and they become all the more shocking for it. The makeup and special effects are very effective. The “hobbling” scene will be difficult to erase from memory, and the sight of Sheldon’s bruised and broken legs would cause anyone to wince in sympathy.
Misery is successful because it has lighter moments that allow some relief from the horrific situation, whilst maintaining a pervading sense of dread. Viewed from a present-day perspective, it’s not as graphic or bloody as a horror film could be, but it’s the thrilling storyline that inspires abject fear. Fame can be a blessing …or a curse.
Review Length: 365 words
Serious Rating: 8/10
Superficial Rating: 0/10. Bates is not attractive when she’s trying to torture the poor hero, and James Caan spends most of the film broken and sweating.
DISCLAIMER: I seem to be on a “dysfunctional women” trend! I owe a fair few reviews now, but they will be sorted soon. Real life, unfortunately, puts a dent in one’s writing aspirations! (As does an obsessive and murderous “number one fan”, apparently!)
FilmFriki 