Director: Rob Reiner
Starring: Kathy Bates, James Caan and Frances Sternhagen
‘A Haunting Masterpiece’
Not many actresses in Hollywood have built a legacy as powerful as Kathy Bates. Ever since her rise to recognition in the 1990’s, Bates has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s psychotic killers, doomed ship passengers or frustrated mothers, Bates has portrayed many intriguing characters. Arguably, Bates’ finest strength as an actress has always been her commitment to her craft. She is one of those actresses that has always poured her heart and soul in each and every role. Bates has never been afraid of taking on risky roles in her career by portraying characters which aren’t often likeable. Shining a bright light in darkness, Bates has become a beloved icon in the entertainment business. By her abilities to portray characters which prove to be intriguing, Bates has built a legacy which is lasting. An actress with strong commitment, Bates has become a renowned icon in modern entertainment. Throughout a powerful career, Bates has starred in several memorable films that are definitely without a single doubt worth watching.
I’m a huge fan of Bates and adore all the films she has made in her career. However, “Misery” is my favourite. Ever since its release in 1990, Rob Reiner’s movie has stood the test of time as a horror classic. Packed with breathtaking production design, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best horror films ever made. At the centre of it all is great performance by Kathy Bates, who embodies a deranged woman seeking to murder a famous author. Ultimately, what makes “Misery” one of the best horror movies ever made is its strong appeal. Unlike most horror movies made in the 1990’s which tend to be outdated, the movie tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. A mesmerizing horror masterpiece about authors that are frightening, there are many strong reasons why “Misery” is a movie that’s worth seeing.
Based on Stephen King’s novel, “Misery” tells the story of an author that is held captive in a home causing misery. James Caan portrayed Paul Sheldon, a legendary author with flair for writing literature. Paul has always had massive dreams of being a strong author celebrated for literature. However, Paul’s life forever changes when he becomes the victim of a car accident causing immense disaster. Just when all hope seems to be lost, a nurse gives Paul a chance to cope. Annie Wilkes is a caring nurse which seems to truly care about the author being his number one fan without fear. What seems to be a simple obsession soon takes a dark turn when Annie reveals murderous intention. Not the person she seems to be, Annie aims to fully destroy the legacy of an author that she feels doesn’t deserve popularity. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Paul questions if it is possible for him to any longer become a commemorated author. Trapped in a hopeless situation of misery, Paul begins to question whether it’s possible for him to overcome adversity.
Rob Reiner is a newcomer towards mysterious stories about writers. Before he had directed “Misery”, Reiner had never made a film about miserable writers before. Reiner was renowned for making courtroom dramas with strong political themes such as 1992’s “A Few Good Men”. With “Misery”, however, the director created his first horror adaptation. It was the director’s first attempt to adapt beloved literature about authors in danger but he pulled it off expertly. Through captivating cinematography, Reiner captures the lives of authors that experience misery. Visually, the movie is a stunning feast for the eyes which is as memorable as stories that Paul seeks to realize. Reiner successfully uses low key lighting to capture the hardships endured by authors whose lives are declining. For instance, low key lighting enhances the accident aftermath scene. During this tense scene, Paul is woken up from a coma by an excited woman that claims to be his best fan. One appreciates low-key lighting capturing hardships that authors are facing. Low-key lighting is a tricky technique to use in movies. As David Fincher’s “Se7en” suggested, low-key lighting elevates murder mystery movies. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this film. Through breathtaking visuals, Reiner captures tense barriers that renowned authors trapped in cabins are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Misery” which merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Reiner effectively uses confined spaces to built tension. Throughout the film, the confined space of the cabin showcases tensions that authors in isolation are facing. Inspired by Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining”, Reiner effectively uses isolated locations to capture the tensions experienced by writers. For instance, the claustrophobic location of the cabin elevates the temper tantrum scene. During this unforgettable scene, Annie faces an emotional breakdown throwing a temper tantrum when she discovers that Paul killed her favourite literary character in a book. One admires isolated cabins showcasing tensions that authors are facing. Confined spaces are complex settings to use in movies. As Alfred Hitchcock’s “Rear Window” proved, confined spaces elevated murder mystery movies in the 1950’s. Nevertheless, it works tremendously in this movie. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. Marc Shaiman’s music is integral to the success of the movie. It gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing a heavy burden authors bear. Through phenomenal production design, Reiner captures lives of authors facing a decline.
Storytelling is one of the primary reasons why “Misery” is a horror classic that’s compelling. The film is beautifully written, and successfully uses symbolism to capture the tensions faced by writers. Stephen King has commonly written compelling books with strong symbolism, and “Misery” is definitely one of them. Reiner uses captivating symbolism to capture the tensions that authors in miserable situations are always facing. Throughout the movie, Paul’s book is a strong symbol that showcases his passions for writing. For instance, symbolism enhances the book burning scene. During this heartbreaking scene, Paul is placed in a tense situation when Annie forces him to burn his most appreciated book. Through this powerful symbolism, Reiner captures the tensions experienced by writers in a nerve-wracking situation. Symbolism is often a complex technique to use in films. As Frank Darabont’s “The Shawshank Redemption” did suggest clearly, symbolism enhances prison films. Peter Jackson’s “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship is the Ring” proved symbolism elevates fantasy adaptations. Nevertheless,it works tremendously in this movie. Through a spectacular screenplay, Reiner captures the tension of authors trapped in secluded houses facing a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Kathy Bates delivers one of her best career performances as Annie Wilkes. Bates first earned appreciation for playing heroines in period pieces. With “Misery”, however, she portrayed her most challenging role. It isn’t simple to portray a woman which becomes obsessed with an author causing tragedies, but she succeeds tremendously. This is the actress unlike you’ve ever seen her before: intense, charismatic and vulnerable in her most memorable role. Bates is an actress which has always had an aptitude showing powerful emotions through her voice, and “Misery” demonstrated her strengths as an actress. With mesmerizing expressions, she captures the angst, grief and isolation of a woman that has a dangerous obsession with an iconic author. It’s an extraordinary performance from one of the most celebrated actresses working in the film industry today.
James Caan is phenomenal as a frustrated author held captive in a house causing grim disasters. While Bates gets the showier role, Caan is also superb as an author whose life spirals out of control. Caan has spent most of his career portraying aggressive gangsters in The Godfather series. As Paul Sheldon, Caan effectively uses his body language to create a disabled author that’s compelling. Whether he is attempting in a state of anxiety-inducing desperation to access pills in a house which is terrifying or seeking to deal with an outraged fan which is frightening, Caan effectively uses his body language to create an author which is compelling. It’s a phenomenal performance by one of the most commemorated actors which is working today.
Finally, “Misery” will earn the appreciations of everyone for capturing the lives of authors that face misery. Unlike most horror adaptations, it tackles commemorated themes which everyone would relate to. It discusses strong themes including identity, responsibility and trauma which would resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be fans of Stephen King’s celebrated novel to appreciate it. It delivers a heartbreaking message about writer’s block which would definitely resonate among everyone. Therefore, “Misery” is one of those rare commemorated Stephen King adaptations tackling themes which everyone will adore.
Fans of Kathy Bates will definitely appreciate “Misery” and so will movie-goers which seek heartwarming entertainment. A mesmerizing horror masterpiece about writers, it honours an actress thar has created a legacy which is iconic.
Nearly 30 years following the release of a groundbreaking horror movie about authors suffering from severe accidents that are held captive in isolated houses by fans that are frightening, it’s a shining reminder of an actress that has built a lasting legacy earning a huge following for her abilities to portray larger-than-life characters which are compelling in unforgettable movies which are definitely without a doubt worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 