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The online film magazine Combustible Celluloid offers new movie reviews, DVD reviews, film reviews, actor interviews, actress interviews, director interviews, film books and all things cinema related for the thoughtful and passionate. Online for ten years! Over 3000 reviews!

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Misery (1990)

Rating: 3 Stars (out of 4)

Number One Fan

By Jeffrey M. Anderson

Buy Misery on DVD

In one of the strangest moments in Oscar history, Kathy Bates won Best Actress for her portrayal of a crazed, obsessed fan of writer Paul Sheldon (James Caan). When his car crashes on a snowy road, she "rescues" him and reads his new manuscript. Upset by the outcome of her favorite character, she imprisons him in her remote house and forces him to write more. As the movie unfolds, her behavior becomes increasingly terrifying. As he did with Stand by Me (1986), director Rob Reiner builds Stephen King's tale with clean, effortless strokes. William Goldman's sturdy screenplay helps. Lauren Bacall co-stars as Paul's editor.

Starring: James Caan, Kathy Bates, Lauren Bacall, Richard Farnsworth, Frances Sternhagen, Graham Jarvis, Jerry Potter
Written by: William Goldman, based on a novel by Stephen King
Directed by: Rob Reiner
MPAA Rating: R
Running Time: 107 minutes
Date: June 19, 2007