Misery (1990)

After a famous author is rescued from a car crash by a fan of his novels, he comes to realize that the care he is receiving is only the beginning of a nightmare of captivity and abuse.

Director:

Rob Reiner

Writers:

Stephen King (novel), William Goldman (screenplay)

Stars:

James Caan, Kathy Bates, Richard Farnsworth

Won 1 Oscar. Another 4 wins & 10 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
James Caan	...	Paul Sheldon
Kathy Bates	...	Annie Wilkes
Richard Farnsworth	...	Buster
Frances Sternhagen	...	Virginia
Lauren Bacall	...	Marcia Sindell
Graham Jarvis	...	Libby
Jerry Potter	...	Pete
Thomas Brunelle	...	Anchorman (as Tom Brunelle)
June Christopher	...	Anchorwoman
Julie Payne	...	Reporter #1
Archie Hahn	...	Reporter #2 (as Archie Hahn III)
Gregory Snegoff	...	Reporter #3
Wendy Bowers	...	Waitress
Misery the Pig	...	Self

Storyline

Best-selling novelist Paul Sheldon is on his way home from his Colorado hideaway after completing his latest book, when he crashes his car in a freak blizzard. Paul is critically injured, but is rescued by former nurse Annie Wilkes, Paul's "number one fan", who takes Paul back to her remote house in the mountains (without bothering to tell anybody). Unfortunately for Paul, Annie is also a headcase. When she discovers that Paul has killed off the heroine in her favorite novels, her reaction leaves Paul shattered (literally)...

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Plot Keywords:

female psychopath | obsessed fan | broken leg | typewriter | brutality | 

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Taglines:

The Tide Has Come.

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

14A

Did You Know?

Trivia

Warren Beatty was involved briefly while they were developing the script and helped them close some possible plot holes in regard to Paul's efforts to escape. He said, "Pretend that it's me, Warren Beatty, an intelligent person trapped in the bed. I would think of every possible way to get out of this house." From there they worked through various possibilities and then made sure to block off those options from Paul.

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Goofs

When burning book gets out of control, a flaming bit of paper wafts up to the curtains and starts burning them, yet Annie never notices or puts it out. Later the curtains are just fine.

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Quotes

Virginia McCain: We got a phone call? Busy morning.
Sheriff John T. 'Buster' McCain: Yeah. Work, work, work.

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Crazy Credits

Misery the Pig - Herself

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Connections

Spoofed in Robot Chicken: Robot Chicken's Half-Assed Christmas Special (2007)

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Soundtracks

Love Connection
Written by Larry Grossman
Published by Fiddleback Music Co., Inc., New Start Music and Eric Lieber Music, Inc.

User Reviews

Perfect performances by Bates and Caan

Based on the novel by him, 'Misery' is a real Stephen King film. It is a drama film, but also a thriller and sometimes even a horror. In one scene the horror is very clear, you will know what scene I mean.

Writer Paul Sheldon (James Caan) gets in a car accident. He is helped by Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates) who claims she is his number one fan. In his latest novel Sheldon has killed the favorite character of Annie making her a little mad. She keeps Sheldon in her home; he has to bring the character back to life in his next novel.

Bates, who won an Oscar, is terrific as Annie, one of her finest performances. James Caan who is in bed or a wheelchair most of the film is very convincing. The room he is living in is one of those spaces in the movies you will not forget very soon. Directed by Rob Reiner this is a great film, although it could be a bit slow for some from time to time.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 November 1990 (Canada)

Also Known As:

Misery

Filming Locations:

Truckee, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$20,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$10,076,834, 2 December 1990

Gross USA:

$61,276,872

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$61,276,872

Company Credits

Production Co:

Castle Rock Entertainment, Nelson Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1