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Misery (1990)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Release Date:
30 November 1990 (USA)
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Tagline:
This Christmas there will be... Misery. more
Plot:
A famous novelist is "rescued" from a car crash by an obsessed fan. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Fan
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Novel
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Obsessed Fan
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Blizzard
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One Word Title
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Awards:
Won Oscar.
Another 2 wins
&
5 nominations
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NewsDesk:
(59 articles)
Books: Review:Stephen King: Under The Dome
(From The AV Club. 24 November 2009, 10:00 PM, PST)
10 closest Oscar races in the past 20 years
(From Gold Derby. 23 November 2009, 1:12 PM, PST)
(From The AV Club. 24 November 2009, 10:00 PM, PST)
10 closest Oscar races in the past 20 years
(From Gold Derby. 23 November 2009, 1:12 PM, PST)
User Comments:
Shining, shocking dark comedy in the Hitchcock mold
more (249 total)
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 | |
| Jerry Potter | ... | Pete | |
| Thomas Brunelle | ... | Anchorman (as Tom Brunelle) | |
| June Christopher | ... | Anchorwoman | |
| Julie Payne | ... | Reporter #1 | |
| Archie Hahn III | ... | Reporter #2 | |
| Gregory Snegoff | ... | Reporter #3 | |
| Wendy Bowers | ... | Waitress | |
| Misery the Pig | ... | Herself |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
107 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Iceland:16 |
Portugal:M/16 |
Canada:13+ (Quebec) |
Singapore:NC-16 (re-rating) |
Singapore:PG (cut) |
South Korea:18 |
Philippines:R-18 |
Netherlands:16 |
Argentina:16 |
Australia:M |
Canada:14A |
Chile:18 |
Finland:K-16 |
Germany:16 |
Norway:15 |
Peru:18 |
Spain:18 |
Sweden:15 |
UK:18 |
USA:R
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
The "guy who went mad in a hotel nearby" is a reference to The Shining (1980), also based on a novel written by Stephen King.
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Goofs:
Factual errors: Twice Paul Sheldon's car is referred to as a 1965 Ford Mustang, but the car he actually drives is a 1966.
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Quotes:
[last lines]
Waitress: Excuse me, but are you Paul Sheldon?
Paul Sheldon: Yes.
Waitress: I just wanted to tell you I'm your number one fan.
Paul Sheldon: That's... very sweet of you...
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Waitress: Excuse me, but are you Paul Sheldon?
Paul Sheldon: Yes.
Waitress: I just wanted to tell you I'm your number one fan.
Paul Sheldon: That's... very sweet of you...
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "Who's the Boss?: Misery (#8.3)" (1991)
more
Soundtrack:
TCHAIKOVSKY PIANO CONCERTO #1
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FAQ
A Note Regarding SpoilersDoes Stephen King have a cameo?
Is "Misery" based on a book?
more
more (249 total)
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Writer William Goldman and director Rob Reiner do Hitchcock proud with this one. It has all the elements: a seemingly innocent place and situation invaded by a growing sense of sinister dread until a breathtaking climax. The intelligent script is peppered with moments that will either make you cringe or make you laugh, depending on how morbid your sense of humor is. It is a harrowing movie to watch the first time around. The crew has done a good job of making you feel Paul Sheldon's pain. Few films torture the audience like this one. In fact, I venture to say this is the best film of its kind since "Psycho" thirty years earlier.
The acting is good all-round. Farnsworth steals every scene he's in with his sardonic and relentless sheriff - he did not get enough accolades for what would have been a routine part in a lesser actor's hands. Caan is solid and underplays beautifully, and the inimitable Kathy Bates carries the film with her alternately hysterical or ridiculously-sappy Annie, the psychotic Sheldon fan. Her performance is a throwback to Hollywood's old days - it's not subtle, not quiet, and borders on over-acting. This is not method acting, this is showing off. But Bates makes it work, investing Annie with enough pitifulness to make the character complex and, thus, hold the role together. This movie is famous, of course, for making Kathy Bates an overnight sensation as everybody went into the movie wanting to see what Sonny Corleone looked like as an older man, but left with accolades for Kathy Bates on their lips. She is absolutely terrifying and unforgettable in this role and perfect for it.
Brilliant performance that elevated a 7-star thriller to 9-10 classic status.