Why No Love For Misery?

[Tooley]

Misery is an awesome flick... with a spectacular performance by Kathy Bates (actually, it's one of those performances where I said to myself - "I don't believe anyone else could have played her). Why no posts for it? I know this place just got a new design, but I figured this flick would be a hot topic! So, how did you feel about it. I would personally give it 9/10.

[aptpupil]

Tooley

I agree. "Misery" squeezes into my Top 5 SK adaptations. It's a real challenge to write a novel that, by and large, is set in only one location, with only two significant characters, and it's an equally big challenge to take that story and turn it into a compelling movie.

Kathy Bates plays the part almost TOO well. I'd be very wary of spending any one-on-one time with her, that's for sure!

[Moderator]

I'm pretty sure you're just joking with that comment about Kathy Bates :smile2: but don't want anyone to think it possible. I've spoken with her on the phone a number of times and met her in in person. IMO she definitely wasn't typecast for that role as my experience with her is that she is a really sweet person and I've had nothing but pleasant interactions with her. :smile2:

[JohnDalglish]

Hi,

Yes, I agree and Kathy is one of my alltime favourite actresses, she made Dolores Claiborne hers too IMO.

I hope there's a part for her in Dark Tower, Rhea maybe?

Long days and pleasant nights

[Perse Jr.]

Thanks for sharing Ms. Mod! Ah, if I could only be you for a week or two (or twenty). Kathy Bates is spectacular. From Titanic and Fried Green Tomatoes, to A Home of Our Own and About Schmidt (she made that movie IMO), Kathy Bates is truly a star.

Misery was a great movie!

"MISERY IS ALIVE, MISERY IS ALIVE! OH, This whole house is going to be full of romance, OOOH, I AM GOING TO PUT ON MY LIBERACE RECORDS!"

[aptpupil]

Of course I'm only joking, Ms Mod.

I'd feel much safer alone with Kathy Bates than I would with Amanda Rose, for example! :laugh:

[rjt65]

hey apt there was a ton of love for Kathy and Misery --think with the redo of the board a lot got filed so probably is archived.....

[jacobtlong]

I enjoyed the film tremendously. Kathy gave a great performance.

[Leighjavu]

Of course I'm only joking, Ms Mod.

I'd feel much safer alone with Kathy Bates than I would with Amanda Rose, for example! :laugh:

LOL Sometimes the words of one of the mentioned here make me want to flick on another light..all in jest, we love ya Amanda Rose !!
Kathy Bates offered another great performance. Misery loves company and
She took that fact to a new level. Another tale that could be mistaken for non-fiction. In a way, it was a good testament to the saying " No good deed goes unpunished".

[Matthew.Degnan]

I wanted to point out as well that it is the only SK adaptation to win an academy award (wait did Stand By Me win any? :D, I can't remember haha) great film, great cast, and yes it is a challange to write an entire novel about one place and two characters!

[JohnDalglish]

I'd feel much safer alone with Kathy Bates than I would with Amanda Rose, for example! :laugh:

Hi,

So who wants to be 'safe'? LOL

Long days and pleasant nights

[Maddie]

Of course I'm only joking, Ms Mod.

I'd feel much safer alone with Kathy Bates than I would with Amanda Rose, for example! :laugh:


Memoir of an unapt pupil... by Amanda Rose

I met a girl at Stephen King's who was sweet.
But she turned me into pulvarized meat

It was the third time I clicked on her when all the trouble started, I heard a wolf howl, scared me so bad I farted,


I don't know how it happened but she pulled me thru the screen,

I was squealing

And then the next thing that I knew she threw me through the ceiling

She grabbed a sledgehammer and then she came right after me,


I felt like I was that writer trapped in Misery http://www.movievillains.com/images/wilkes.jpg

I tried to leave but couldn't cause I was terrified of what she'd do

She dragged me up atop the stairs and down the stairs I flew, SLAMmmmmm,

and in a flash there she was standing over me, what was she going to do with that knife and salt????

no one lived to tell, but her, and she wont tell. and the last thing he ever heard was in a whisper... you invited me.



ha ha ha :glare:

[Maddie]

LOL Sometimes the words of one of the mentioned here make me want to flick on another light..all in jest, we love ya Amanda Rose !!
Kathy Bates offered another great performance. Misery loves company and
She took that fact to a new level. Another tale that could be mistaken for non-fiction. In a way, it was a good testament to the saying " No good deed goes unpunished".

I love you all :wink2: thanks Leigh, I was thinking about dragging that pizza guy into the house before he gets away up there at Caslow Manor, you in, bird of my feather? :laugh:

[Dombey]

:love: I loved that movie!! It's one of the best novel adaption in my point of view!
Kathy is just perfect in that movie, the role just fits her totally! The pig Misery although has made a great performance too! *lol
I'd give it 10/10! :smile2:

[Brayden]

I totally agree, "Misery" is an excellent movie, and I agree nobody besides Kathy Bates could have played Annie Wilkes. The Annie Wilkes character is only one of a few characters in movies that have been adapted from a story that are exactly the same as I imagined them when I read the book.

[Liasis]

Kathy made that movie! It was awesome because she played the role so perfectly. I dont even remember who the guy was that played Paul Sheldon`s part... Great movie, great story. One of the few that wasn`t ruined...ever

[MacAreee_M_No1]

I loved Misery, both the movie and the book. I agree that Kathy Bates gave a spectacular performance, but also to note is that James caan was amazing in it.

[THISisWHEREiMAKEmySTAND]

Misery was brillant, Kathy Bates can still make my blood run cold, and isn't that why we love her? Book was amazing, and an equally impressive film, although I always get a smidge perturbed when they change things, but yes I understand why it sometimes needs to be done..

[misery is a pig]

Kathy Bates did an amazing job in Misery! She completely took on the character of Annie, who, in my opinion, is one of King's most intriguing characters!

[AndyDufresne]

Kathy made that movie! It was awesome because she played the role so perfectly. I dont even remember who the guy was that played Paul Sheldon`s part... Great movie, great story. One of the few that wasn`t ruined...ever

Oh, come on, the entire cast was great :). Only Annie Wilkes is a much harder character to pull off decently. You have to be able to be menacing and annoying, and not do it over the top. She deserved the Oscar she won.
James Caan also is a great actor, and Paul Sheldon is also a very good part. You have to make a presence while basically just lying in bed. He did that too.

[looking for misery]

I agree with all of you. This movie could not have been done better. Kathy Bates was amazing.

[aSecretAgent]

Kathy bates is awesome in this,.

[sgmonje]

Misery was an amazing award winning movie and had the best casting out of any Stephen King flick. 2 thumbs up! I'd give more but I'm not lucky enough to have more than two arms lol

[Micke]

Movie=9/10
Book=10/10
Amazing book and a great movie. Kathy was incredible as Annie Wilkes. According me it's one of King's best books. :cool:

[Agincourt Concierge]

Great book and movie.....!!!

[Bugsy]

I loved Misery, both the novel (one of my favorites) and the film. The film didn't follow the book as much as I would've hoped, but for the parts it changed, they made it work, and that's what's important. The changes didn't really affect the plot majorly, and still made the film so enjoyable (although, I wouldn't have minded seeing Annie cut Paul's foot off, breaking it with the hammer was still intense)

And of course it's impossible to talk about the film without mentioning Kathy Bates' unbelievable performance. Dear god, she fit the role perfectly, more than perfectly.

[hemingway2z]

Liked this too. it's to me a story about long term entrampment.

[Mr Nobody]

Have to agree that Misery was a great film, one of my all-time favourites even if the SK connection was left aside and it contains the ONLY scene guaranteed to make me squirm no matter how many times I see it (and I've only 'seen' it a couple of times in all my viewings, because I invariably blink or look away).
The casting for the movie was, IMO, as close to perfect as you can get, and if anyone was to write something along the lines of Danse Macabre for a 'modern' age, this film would have to be in there (how many horror films, original or adapted and regardless of performance, get mentioned for Oscars, after all?).

[scared1]

Yes, Misery is one of the great horror classics. Ms Bates did an outstanding job.

[marty's lot]

One of my fave SK films...Makes me drive more carefully,lol...don't want end up in a cabin making an 'oogy mess':biggrin2: KB best scary non-monster character ever.

[mousenmile]

Hi,

Yes, I agree and Kathy is one of my alltime favourite actresses, she made Dolores Claiborne hers too IMO.

I hope there's a part for her in Dark Tower, Rhea maybe?

Long days and pleasant nights


Kath Bates it one of my favorite actresses, She can so easily adapt herself to any role, and make it hers. I loved the story Misery, and the movie just brought it to life for me.

[suzieb]

Misery is my favorite of all SK's work and the movie was the best adaptation so far. I absolutely love Annie and believe Kathy Bates did one of the best acting jobs I have ever seen in any movie so far. Not for a moment while watching the movie did I think wow, Kathy Bates is really good. No, I thought oh crap, Annie Wilkes is insane. What a fantastic actress!

So take that MR. MAN! She cracks me the f*** up!

Thanks,
Suzie B.

[karend3]

Bates is an awesome actress, she cracked me up in The Rat Race, " They should have bought a squirrel". HEE HEE. I think that the story is a little bit too true, can and has happend.

[Jojo87]

Misery was great. Bates did a great job as playing Annie Wilkes.

[GBPack1]

Agree with everyone. The movie rocked and Kathy Bates, not to mention James Caan, were awesome!

[Denise Marsden]

Maybe the feelings in all of us generated by 'Misery', are there because the ferel nature of Annie Wilkes could lie deep in all those who escape from dismal lives into books or Movies. She represents the shadow fan that Im sure a lot of novelists have a shiver about now and again.To be at the mercy of this conciousness would certainly be a nightmare.I wonder if this is the book S.K. was thinking about when in ,'On Writing' he tells of his feelings after his accident .

[strange]

Hi Denise, Misery was written before the accident but from what I remember in On Writing i thought he said it sort of based on his drug addiction and that he felt like a prisoner to it.

Also I love the film, its one of my favourites and proberly one of the best King films ever made.

[ponygirl01]

I have to agree with the opinons from most that Kathy Bates is an absolutly wonderful actress. I have seen her in both DC and Misery. And thought she was wonderful. But i have also seen her in other movies. One that sticks in my mind is one that i cant remember the name of. Abotu a woman with several children. the father either leaves or passes away. she is trying to make a home for them. Good movie. Now that it think about it the name could be "A Home of Our Own" and how about Titanic and Fried Green Tomatos... Great job there too. I really liek her. She should make more with SK.
ponygirl01

[JosephDurham]

I think Misery is one of King's best works. I love the book, and the movie is a tremendous rendition of his work. There are a few things that are in the movie that are not in the book, and vice versa, but it is tremendous nonetheless.

[aeroplane]

Only thing wrong with Misery (movie version), IMO, was the fact that pretty much the whole movie took place in a single setting.

Aside from that, Kathy was great. If Misery was done today, you can guarantee it would be ruined with a ridiculous choice of actress cast for Annie.

[sai slone]

Awesome cast,great effort,reasonably close to the book. Caan and Bates work together(IMO).

[SuzannaDean]

I agree, movie was great but to be honest imo the whole one setting thing was part of the story. At least they didnt change it at all. Stayed true to the book, whereas making it in different places not in the book wouldnt have been.

[Er0tic NeUr0t1c]

It was ok I actually saw this movie like a week ago for the first time. I was very drunk though and don't remember the whole thing except i kept bitching to everyone that the lawnmower part was gone and nobody cared and i was really pissed.

That was like one of the most intense parts of the book. Plus, the movie was very bright. I pictured everything a bit darker in the book too. And i remember loving the sports announcer in his head, cant really do that in a movie. But that Bates woman was pretty good I must say.

I don't know, i was always find something negative about the movies. Not a big fan of the movies because the books are so much superior

[dejolane]

Misery was the best. Kathy Bates was brilliant. I love this movie.

[peaceluvnsploosh]

I absolutely love this movie, this was one of the first movies based off of stephen king's books that ive seen and s still one of my top picks for friday movie night,:)

[nikkij124]

loved this movie kathy bates was amazing :wow:

[Mookie]

I love this movie. It's one of those classics that I can watch over and over. We keep the following on DVD to watch every October Salem's lot, Rose Red, Misery and Silver Bullet. October would be boring without some Stephen King to help it along.:laugh:

[Donald W. DeClicko]

This was the movie that eventually led me to read SK novels. First time I seen it had to be in '91 or '92. Kathy Bates was a beast.

[Twilight2388]

Stand by Me didn't win any awards but it should have! Misery still makes me cringe and put a pillow over my eyes in certain scenes. All the actors were superb which isn't always the case in King's adaptations to the big screen. Annie Wilkes will always be one of my favorite novel and movie villians of all time! Oh and I was relieved they left out the lawnmower scene!!!!!!! That is one scene from a book that I will never forget but wish I could LOL!

[Richard "Dinky" Earnshaw]

Concerning the movie that had to be Kathy Bates best role. IMO

[judythegeek]

Hi,

Yes, I agree and Kathy is one of my alltime favourite actresses, she made Dolores Claiborne hers too IMO.

I hope there's a part for her in Dark Tower, Rhea maybe?

Long days and pleasant nights

I felt that Dolores Claiborne and Annie Wilkes were connected before wither movie! Kathy Bates was the only actress for either.
BTW: Dolores pretty much MEANS Misery. see http://www.babynamescountry.com/meanings/Dolores.html
and thats SK for ya!

[dejolane]

I felt that Dolores Claiborne and Annie Wilkes were connected before wither movie! Kathy Bates was the only actress for either.
BTW: Dolores pretty much MEANS Misery. see http://www.babynamescountry.com/meanings/Dolores.html
and thats SK for ya!

Kathy Bates did it beautifully.

[Mike in Canada]

Loved the casting. Bates and Caan were brilliant! Even the supporting actors were perfect.

[Micke]

I don't think I need to say what I think about this movie :wink2:

Kathy Bates can ACT!!!

[eaglpaul]

I only just saw Misery, although I read the book over ten years ago. I have to say that this is one of the freakiest movies that I have ever seen. I was a little disappointed that they didn't include the part where Annie cuts off Paul's foot and thumb. I think that that part in the book was terribly horrifying, especially with the calm way that Annie goes about it. All in all though, Misery is definitely in my top 5 SK adaptations, alond with Shawshank, Green Mile, Mist and Stand By Me. All great films.

[Seb Shaw]

hi everyone, im new to the forums, but also very new to SK. I started reading Misery, becaues a friend reccomended it to me. I was instantainiasly hooked on SK!. The book was fantastic, and the movie was spectacular! Kathy Bates is too good of an actress, she scares me! :D Also James Caan did a great job too.

[JENNIFER NICOLE]

I personally liked this movie in a weird way. There is alot of torture that is hard to watch , like the breaking of his ankles with the sledgehammer, but otherwise i found it to be very stephen!

[DancingCorpse]

It is a very faithful and well executed adaptation. Bates was exactly the image and creation onscreen of Annie! She was fantastic. Caan made me laugh so much in some moments, he didn't have too much to do within the film, and this frustrated him as i read in an interview, it certainly came across. The most hilarious moment in the film, is when she brings the pig in and he just stares at it like :l LOL

[mouse213]

I enjoyed the movie even though it made me cringe during the hobbling part of the movie. The title "Misery" truly did fit this movie, because there was alot of pain and suffering throughout it. With number one fans like Annie one does not need an enemy. lol
Great movie and it is another one that is in my collection.

[Chris Chambers]

I'm reading the book,I'm arrived when she cutted him off the left foot...EWW!!!:oh:Yestreday,In Italy,on the cable tv,there was Misery,but in in italian is Misery Non Deve Morire,and it does mean Misery can't die,or cannot be dead,chose your favorite =D
The book is the stereotype of SK's book,like horror,thriller and some crazy people in there who wanna kill someone,that's waht I thought before I didn't read anything of his works,but it's kinda sweet,and I'm really enjoying it.:blush:

[blunthead]

Love the book, love the movie. Caan: one of my all-time favorite performances. Everything intense--book and movie. I like intense.

The book is better.

[Rosehay]

i preffered the book x

[Lily Sawyer]

Y'know, when the movie was released, I'd read the book, and went into the cinema with a great deal of tre-di-pa-tion, after being disappointed repeatedly with film adaptations of books I'd loved.

It was a great surprise to see the book so faithfully folllowed, but then again, most Rob Reiner films have knocked it out of the ballpark for me. I loved the movie, and thought Kathy Bates richly deserved her Oscar.

[wendymartt]

well, i just joined and i was wondering the same thing...misery is a 10/10:smile2:

[Nabila]

I loved both the book and the film. Of course Annie did more damage in the book but to have shown those in the film would have placed the film in the category of the Saw films. This film is actually more horrifying for me and Kathy Bates made it so without going over the top. Her restraint before she explodes was fantastic. She is one fine actress!

[Gavvo1976]

Hi,

Yes, I agree and Kathy is one of my alltime favourite actresses, she made Dolores Claiborne hers too IMO.

I hope there's a part for her in Dark Tower, Rhea maybe?



Wow! Kathy as Rhea of The Coos!!! I can see it now!

[Hardlooker]

I loved the movie...

[doowopgirl]

I love Misery myself. Loved the book straight away. Didn't like the movie until years after I saw it the first time. I don't know, it just didn't seem to have the right atmosphere. But my brother in law has a copy of it nad he said you HAVE to watch it again. So we sat down to watch it, me expecting very little and was immediatly drawn in to that whole weird world. I agree Kathy Bates was perfect in the role. Even James Caan was perfect. :grinning:

[Haunted]

There is so much more that can be said with the written word. With Mr. King's writings you get his humor to buttress you against the horror. I am not sure that I completely buy the old adage 'a picture is worth a thousand words' either.

I will say that I enjoyed both the book and the movie, BUT, I have to consider them as totally separate entities to do that.

[nursecindy]

I loved the book. I've read almost all of Stephen King's books however, I could not watch this movie. With a book if it gets a little too intense I can skip over a few things and then later go back. With a movie it's right there and the people in the theaters always get mad when I scream. Go figure. I may try it again while at home this time. I did see parts of it and I cannot think of anyone better than Kathy Bates to play that part. I'm not scared of blood or gore in fact, I'm an ER nurse so maybe it's because sometimes my mind starts working on how to fix the person that is getting mangled. On the other hand, I can start an IV anywhere on a person, give anyone a shot, yet...I cannot stand to see someone get a shot on TV. I've never understood it. My all-time favorite movie based on a Stephen King book was Christine. I love that movie. My second favorite is the Langoliers followed by It. It was difficult to watch because I personally do not like clowns. Even nice ones. Maybe I was scared by a clown as a child. To me there is almost nothing better than sitting by the fire on a cold, dark winters night with a new Stephen King book in my lap ready to be opened and devoured while my devoted yellow lab sits beside me on the floor. I will definitely be purchasing his new book as soon as I can find it.

[GNTLGNT]

IMO, "Misery" is one of the best adaptations-well directed, well acted-and gee, a well written story to top it off...Go figure:biggrin2:

[texaswriter]

i highly agree with you. She has to be one of the most talented actresses in the world. :grinning:

[Susanne]

I'm pretty sure you're just joking with that comment about Kathy Bates :smile2: but don't want anyone to think it possible. I've spoken with her on the phone a number of times and met her in in person. IMO she definitely wasn't typecast for that role as my experience with her is that she is a really sweet person and I've had nothing but pleasant interactions with her. :smile2:

hey, that´s cool that you met her. I like that actress! I loved her performances as Dolores and as Annie. She really knows how to act.

[snusguru]

Hello.

New to the forum, first post. I'll get around to a intro thread soon lol. Seems i share the same opinion as most people here; Misery is one of my favorite adaptations. Didn't seem to have the 'cheese' like a lot of the others. Although that is one of the things i enjoy about them to be honest.

[lovely1]

Misery is fantastic. Whenever it is being shown on TV I watch it. It stayed true to the novel. Kathy Bates was brilliant in it.:grinning:

[up all nite]

Misery-the first time I ever had to actually put the book down! KB fit my mental image of the character perfectly !!

[Hey Georgie]

I absolutely LOVE this movie! Kathy Bates was very impressive in her role as Annie Wilkes. Now I want to watch Dolores Claiborne because Kathy Bates is in it. Can anyone tell me, is it a good film? As impressive as Misery?

[Cell1408]

Misery is one of my favorite SK movies. I agree that Kathy Bates is great and so is James Caan. Ive seen the movie 3 times! :laugh:

[tachyon]

This was one of the best made movies of King's work... and also Bates' breakout role.

[nate_watkins]

I watched this for the first time a couple of weeks ago. I thought it was very well done, and Kathy Bates was excellent as Annie.

[blunthead]

IMO, "Misery" is one of the best adaptations-well directed, well acted-and gee, a well written story to top it off...Go figure:biggrin2:

GNTLGNT has got it, right on, imho.

Confused: awful flick gets 9/10, and no one posts about Misery.

I love sK fans!!!

[wally wonder]

I absolutely LOVE this movie! Kathy Bates was very impressive in her role as Annie Wilkes. Now I want to watch Dolores Claiborne because Kathy Bates is in it. Can anyone tell me, is it a good film? As impressive as Misery?

hey georgie! i wish i could answer your question, but alas, i'm in the same boat. i've seen misery...:y:...and i believe i've read on the board here that the one we haven't seen is :y: too.

[blunthead]

GNTLGNT has got it, right on, imho.

Confused: awful flick gets 9/10, and no one posts about Misery.

I love sK fans!!!

Oops, my bad. Sorry. I thought the original post was that Misery was an awful flick. I agree, it was awesome!

[sprinco12]

Misery is one of my all-time favorite movies and I don't think anyone else could have played Kathy's part.

[Lily Sawyer]

I saw Misery again recently for the first time in over 15 years. It has really held up, partly because the plausability of the circumstances involving Paul's car accident.
I was struck again with how good the dinner scene is. Caan couldn't have had better facial expressions as he realizes the wine he's drugged has been spilled...and that all the time he's spent palming the sedatives for it has been for naught.
It made me want to re-read the book....so it's now on my list of I-Wants. :)

[Robert 'Bob' Gray]

This was one of my favourite Stephen King adaptations, if not my all-time favourite. :grinning: I thought the way Kathy Bates played Annie was superb. For example, the subtle hint of unease she gives off from the very beginning. Also, James Caan is one of my favourite actors, and he nailed Paul Sheldon :biggrin2:

[MistahJ]

I wanted to point out as well that it is the only SK adaptation to win an academy award (wait did Stand By Me win any? :D, I can't remember haha) great film, great cast, and yes it is a challange to write an entire novel about one place and two characters!

Stand by Me was nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay but it didn't win...

[MistahJ]

I think the reason why is because Stephen King fans are presented with their own "what if?"...It's like King is holding up a mirror

Stephen has mentioned in an interview (don't remember where) when they talked about the movie and I remember he said something like, "Misery is my love letter to my readers. Let's just say that some of their elevators don't go all the way to the top"

[Anna Rose]

i think Kathy did an amazing job and i couldn't picture anyone else playing the part of Annie

[Hey Georgie]

That's awesome! :y: Thanks so much!