If you are a writer or a novelist, those words might be the best thing you want to hear. But maybe not for the famous author, Paul Sheldon (James Caan). Especially, after the horrendous experience he had encountered in Silver Creek.
This psychological thriller is based on Stephen King's brilliant novel of the same name. This 1990 classic is probably one of the best adaptation of King's books based on the critics comments. Honestly, I haven't read the novel, the same with King's other brilliant works. However, my sister has been a fan since her college days and thanks to her, I knew about him. I prefer to enjoy his work through movie adaptations, like Carrie, It and The Green Mile. I considered this movie a classic, because it is a great movie since 20 years ago and it can still be enjoyed now with the same enthusiasm as it was before.
Paul Sheldon, most famous for his series of "Misery" novel, is finishing his latest book in his favourite rural retreat in Silver Creek. Once finished, he headed down to NYC to send his work to his agent. Unbeknownst to him, a blizzard is coming. While on his way, he met with an accident. The accident might ended his life there and then. Fortunately, (or should I say, unfortunately..) he was rescued by a nurse, Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates) who happens to be his number one fan. Since she rescued him, (a strong woman, she is) she had been caring and curing him like any admiring fan would do. She kept saying that the phone line is still unavailable or the road is still not opened since the blizzard every time Paul asked to contact his family and his agent. All seems well, until a significant amount of time had passed, Paul is getting restless and worried, and Annie has shown some of her "real colours".
By now, Annie has shown Paul, that she is fanatic of him, and having mood swings. Sometimes she could be very nice and gentle, and other times she could be harsh and temperamental. At this point, Paul knew that there is something wrong with her, just he didn't know how serious it is. Paul, incapacitated by the accident, was helpless and had to rely on Annie's care, although now he felt trapped and held captive in her house. The maniacal 'freak'ness of Annie has escalated as she read the novel manuscript which Paul had finished written. She loathe it and asked Paul to write another novel instead in her honour. She wanted him to continue writing another "Misery" novel. In all the time he was in her captivity, we could see how Paul tried desperately to find his way out with only one good arm and has tried to outsmart Annie just to keep her in good mood and save himself more time to live. I couldn't help feeling sorry for him every time his effort failed. And Annie could be so cruel to him. So Paul had no other choice than to write the story she wanted.
At this point, everybody is looking for Paul, including the local sheriff, Buster. I really like Buster's character, the old sheriff with a sharp mind, along with his deputy sheriff wife, Virginia. Their on-screen husband-and-wife chemistry is very entertaining to watch. My favourite line of Buster is this, "You see, it's just that kind of sarcasm (sic) has given our marriage a real spice.", when he replied to his wife's remark about his 'literature affair'. (You just have to see the movie.) And I couldn't help feeling sad when something bad happened to Buster near the end of the movie. It's the same with the relationship between Paul and Annie. Although this is a thriller movie, a 'psycho' one to describe it better, there were times I laughed to see Paul's expression when he was trying to comprehend Annie's unstable mood. Kathy Bates portrayed the fanatic Annie extremely well, no wonder she bagged the Academy Award for Best Actress in this movie.
And so, back to the story. Paul knew now that as the end of the novel is coming, so is his life. While he tried to escape, he had learned some scary facts of Annie's past history. He knew she is capable of killing him. He knew he had to do something before Annie kills both of them. And finally, you know the ending. Haha.
Ok, so I like this movie. I know it is an old movie and maybe those who love reading, especially Stephen King's or thriller lovers, you would have known everything already. But some of you may not know it and I recommend you to watch it and enjoy it. Till the next classics, au revoir.
Photo credits: Cover (bokunosekai.wordpress.com/2009/0.../misery/)
Scene (from the dvd)
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