“I’m your number one fan” shouldn’t make you cringe in fear, but for romance novelist Paul Sheldon those five words send waves of terror down his spine. Misery, based on the Stephen King novel and named for Paul’s’ recurring character Misery Chastaine and not his state throughout the movie, is a study in fanaticism.
Upon the completion of his latest novel in the Misery Chastaine series, Paul Sheldon (James Caan – The Godfather) returns to New York from the lodge where he was writing, but drives off the road when a blizzard hits. He wakes up in a strange house, in a wheelchair, with a broken leg, being taken care of by nurse and number one fan Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates – Dolores Claiborne). Annie realizes who she has and asks to read the manuscript to the new book, but becomes enraged when she finds out what he has done to her favorite character, Misery. What follows is a pattern of anger and cajoling to return Misery to her former glory, coupled with Pauls attempts to escape, which culminate in that famous punishment scene.
Stephen King has once again introduced us to a new type of horror except this time the monster is one of us, a little more unbalanced than most of us, but one of us none-the-less. He created an idyllic setting for someone to recuperate in only to have it go from heaven to hell at the mood of the captor. The film follows the book as well as possible, though the punishment scene in the book was more extreme, it’s hard to decide which is more disturbing, or put in Paul’s place, more desirable.
Disc 1 Blu-Ray contains:
Full Length Feature Film Misery in 1080P High Definition
Lossless Audio
Smart Menu Technology
Disc 2 DVD contains:
Full Length Feature Film Misery with 5.1 Dolby
Special Features for Misery are:
– Audio Commentary by Director Rob Reiner
– Audio Commentary by Screenwriter William Goldman
– "Misery Loves Company" Featurette
– "Marc Shaiman’s Musical Misery Tour" Featurette
– "Diagnosing Annie Wilkes" Featurette
– "Advice for the Stalked" Featurette
– "Profile of a Stalker" Featurette
– "Celebrity Stalkers" Featurette
– "Anti-Stalking Laws" Featurette
Misery is not one of my favorite Stephen King films, but it is a good movie. The fact that it’s now in High Definition has enhanced the experience, and sharpened the suspense. I enjoy the convenience of having a Blu-Ray and standard DVD in one package. Pick this set up to enjoy a crystal clear, suspense filled experience.
ComicsOnline gives Misery 3½ out of 5 ankle braces.
