“Misery Chastain cannot be dead!” In case we didn’t already know there was something delightfully wrong with demented nurse Annie Wilkes, we surely knew it when she blew a gasket over the death of her favorite fictional character. We also knew that writer turned captive Paul Sheldon was in trouble – big trouble.
Released in 1990, Misery (the film) became a domestic and international hit. Modestly budgetted at $20 million, it went on to be the most successful adaptation of any Stephen King novel. (Subsequestly, two of King’s books, The Green Mile and 1408 have grossed more domestically.)
The macabre tale centers on mega-successful author, Paul Sheldon, who crashes his car in the mountains of Colorado during a blizzard. He is rescued by a quirky nurse who Paul eventually discovers is an avid reader of his Misery series of books. Annie Wilkes describes herself as his number-one fan. Paul, whose injuries are numerous as a result of the crash, becomes more and more dependent on Annie as he is confined to a single bedroom she has prepared for him. Eventually, Paul realizes he is captive to his sadistic hostess as he begins to put the pieces together of her twisted past.
As fear gives way to desperation, we follow Paul from one harrowing attempt to another in gathering the strength and conviction to escape her grasp.
The movie was met with near unanimous praise thanks to outstanding performances by James Caan (Paul Sheldon) and Kathy Bates (Annie Wilkes). Subsequently, Bates won the Best Actress Oscar for the portrayal of the demented Annie Wilkes.
Preceding the movie was the famed Stephen King novel. Published in 1987, I must admit I was late to reading Misery having purchased it after watching the theatrical release. To note the film does not provide justice to the book is like saying you’d prefer a good burger over the filet. The film is very good; the book is a horror masterpiece.
In his own uncanny way, King invites us into his own state of being. His fictional alter-ego, Paul Sheldon, coming face to face with his ‘number-one fan’ is pure high-adrenaline as you are left to wonder what demonic punishment he will have to endure next. In this manner, Sheldon invites us to see King’s own bizarre fears; the fears of fame gone psychotically wrong in the mind of a nurse who looks as if she could serve you cookies yet sever one of your limbs on a whim.
The book is a captivating thriller that’s spine-tingling at every turn.
For horror fans, the 25th anniversary of the novel is cause for celebration and reason to re-visit a classic.
After all, who can resist a number-one fan?
references: Yahoo movies; boxofficemojo.com