MISERY (1990)

Initially, writer Steven King was reluctant to trust Hollywood with his tale of a psychopathic fan holding her favorite romance novelist prisoner. He didn’t think most directors would stick to the story as he had told it. He was such a fan of Stand by Me (1986)— adapted from his story “The Body”—that he only agreed to sell the rights if the film’s director, Rob Reiner, worked on it. He got his wish, and the resulting film is still as creepy and funny as it was 35 years ago. Almost a dozen actors turned down the novelist’s role, either because of schedule conflicts or an unwillingness to play a passive character. James Caan welcomed the challenge. Anjelica Huston and Bette Midler came to regret turning down the role of Annie Wilkes. Instead, Reiner decided to go with the then little-known Kathy Bates, whose total identification with the character helped her win the Oscar for Best Actress.

d. Rob Reiner, 107m, DCP

Courtesy of Warner Brothers Classics.

Conversation with Kathy Bates and Rob Reiner will be post-screening.