Published via Ecency

(source: tmdb.org)

“Write what you know” is advice that was enthusiastically accepted by Stephen King, the most successful writer of American literature in past half a century. His work was inspired not only by his native state of Maine, but also his literary career, which included at least some unpleasant experiences with deranged fans. The best known example of the latter is King’s 1987 novel Misery, which was adapted into eponymous 1990 thriller film directed by Rob Reiner.

Protagonist of the film is in some ways King’s alter ego. Paul Sheldon (played by James Caan) is an author of immensely popular Victorian romance novels about heroine called Misery Chastain. Those books brought him fame and fortune, but he sees them as work of poor quality and yearns for something that would be fitting for his talent and artistic inclinations. After having Misery killed off in his latest novel, he spends time in Colorado mountain lodge writing another, unrelated work he hopes that would win critics and awards. After finishing manuscript, he takes car to return to New York, but gets caught in the blizzard and his car drives off the road, ending in ravine. Sheldon is terribly injured, but has good fortune of being rescued by Annie Wilkes (played by Kathy Bates), former nurse who lives nearby. Wilkes, who describes herself as Sheldon’s “number one fan”, takes care of his broken legs and dislocated shoulder and explains that he can’t go to hospital because of bad weather. Sheldon begins to suspect that there is something wrong in her story and soon learns that the truth is much worse than his darkest suspicions. Wilkes, after finding that Misery got killed off, gets infuriated, burns Sheldon’s manuscript and demands that he writes another novel in which the heroine would get resurrected. Sheldon, being able to move only in wheelchair and subjected to brutal punishments, doesn’t have any choice but to comply, but he nevertheless uses every opportunity to study mentally disturbed Wilkes, her house and her past and begins plans his escape.

Rob Reiner, television actor who had turned into film director, had series of very successful films in 1980s. One of them was Stand By Me, another adaptation of Stephen King’s work which, like Misery, wasn’t a horror film. Reiner was very sensible choice for director, but even better decision was to hire veteran screenwriter William Goldman to adapt the novel. Goldman took what was actually very dark novel, in large part inspired by King’s struggles with alcohol and drug addiction, and wrote the much simpler and more focused script. While Misery still deals with the issues that plague writers, including dilemma between safe pandering to the tastes of unwashed masses and risks in pursuing artistic ambitions, it is in its essence a simple, effective and at times very scary thriller. While some authors could use plot as basis for dark comedy, Goldman, despite occasional humorous moments, plays it straight. Situation in which Paul Sheldon finds himself is quite plausible, something that could be easily imagined in real life or at least in 1980s and early 1990s when celebrities began to feel greater unease over their unhinged fanbase. Goldman puts clear limitations to the plot which mostly takes part in the single house, but this setting, despite at times looking like it belongs to a stage play instead of feature film, actually works for Misery.

Reiner directs film with great skill, obviously taking a lot of inspiration from Hitchcock’s thrillers, most notably Psycho, which is given a clear homage near the end. He puts talents of cinematographer Barry Sonnenfeld and score composer Marc Shaiman to good use, but never allows the film to become overly stylish. He creates number of scenes that feature great deal of suspense, just as the final showdown is brutally but realistically violent. Reiner’s talent is also matched by an excellent cast. Kathy Bates, an actress unknown at the time, delivered brilliant performance in the role of Annie Wilkes. The role was well-researched and Bates portrayed the character in realistic manner, adding complexity and multidimensionality. When we are introduced to Wilkes, she is reassuring presence only to gradually show its dark side; at times the audience even sympathise with her as overweight woman who, by her own admission, isn’t “movie star type” and for whom fantasy world of Misery novels might be the only escape from reality. But when she reveals her true murderous colours, Wilkes becomes one of the most impressive monsters in history of Hollywood. Bates managed Oscar for Best Actress in her role, an achievement even more impressive considering AMPAS voters’ aversion towards genre films. James Caan was also an excellent choice for the role of Sheldon. An actor who had built his reputation as macho action star in 1970s here plays character who is made inferior to woman, constantly in danger and forced to use his brain instead of brawn in order to survive. Caan’s performance is well-matched with character actor Richard Farnsworth in the delightful role of elderly sheriff investigating writer’s disappearance.

Although some of the scenes could have been trimmed down and the film’s epilogue looks a little bit too “Hollywood”, Misery is still a very effective and entertaining thriller that could be enjoyed even by viewers who aren’t necessarily King’s fans.

RATING: 8/10 (+++)