Kings story, as most people already know, is a corker.
After a car crash, best-selling author Paul Sheldon finds himself immobilized in the home of his No.
1 fan, Annie Wilkes, who happens to be a deadly cat lady.
Credit: Joan Marcus
She actually owns a pet pig, named Misery, after the title character in Sheldons book series.
Yet its a terrific two-hander, and Reiners film was, by extension, great pulp.
And Frears expertly choreographs Pauls sweaty scramble back to his room before Annie discovers that hes escaped.
However, though the technical specs are excellent, the production suffers from a curious lack of tension.
And, moreover, fun.
During Annies famous freak-out over Pauls decision to kill off his literary creation (You murdered my Misery!
), Metcalf chooses the opposite tonal delivery for each of Bates lines.
