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The Rewatchables ·

Misery

year 1990decade 90sdirector Rob Reinergenre Horrorgenre Thriller
host Bill Simmonshost Brian Koppelmanproducer Craig Horlbeck
All 32 categories

The film

Misery (1990)

Directed by Rob Reiner · Horror

107 minutes

IMDb Find on JustWatch Find on Rotten Tomatoes
Cast

Selected cast credits · Film reference

James Caan Paul Sheldon
Kathy Bates Annie Wilkes
Frances Sternhagen Deputy Virginia
Richard Farnsworth Sheriff Buster
Lauren Bacall Marcia Sindell

Everything from the episode

In the order the hosts got to it. Open a row for the discussion.

29:38

Casting What-Ifs

Many actors declined Annie Wilkes and Paul Sheldon; several alternative Paul Sheldons are debated

Many actors declined Annie Wilkes and Paul Sheldon; several alternative Paul Sheldons are debated

In the discussion (7)
Approx. transcript time · 00:29:38Read transcript
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44:19

Most Rewatchable Scene

The dinner scene

The dinner scene

In the discussion (11)
Approx. transcript time · 00:44:19Read transcript
  • The opening credits and car crash are nominated — Brian Koppelman
  • Annie’s tomato-soup outburst is nominated
  • The wrong-paper confrontation and “Mr. Man” exchange are nominated — Bill Simmons
  • Paul’s first trip out of the room is nominated
  • The dinner and deliberately spilled wine are nominated, with debate about whether Paul planned the spill
  • Annie’s suicidal-rain speech is nominated — Bill Simmons
  • The hobbling is described as the most famous scene, though too painful to call most rewatchable — Bill Simmons
  • Buster arriving and being shot is nominated — Bill Simmons
  • The final fight and Paul’s concealed typewriter plan are nominated — Bill Simmons
  • The dinner scene is selected as most rewatchable for its writing, acting, and the wine spill — Brian Koppelman
  • The manuscript-burning scene is added as one of the best and praised for setting up the ending — Brian Koppelman
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55:29

What’s Aged the Best?

“Mr. Man,” supporting-character texture, period publishing details, and the softened hobbling choice

“Mr. Man,” supporting-character texture, period publishing details, and the softened hobbling choice

In the discussion (8)
Approx. transcript time · 00:55:29Read transcript
  • The “Mr. Man” line remains a long-running household joke — Bill Simmons
  • Annie Wilkes and Hannibal Lecter arriving in consecutive years is praised — Bill Simmons
  • Buster and Virginia’s marriage and Goldman-created sarcasm have aged well — Bill Simmons
  • Paul Sheldon’s period-authentic book-jacket photograph has aged well — Bill Simmons
  • Dom Pérignon and its associated line have aged well — Bill Simmons
  • The broken N key evokes enduring writer frustration — Bill Simmons
  • Paul Sheldon having Knicks floor seats is praised as a Goldman homage — Bill Simmons
  • Changing the book’s amputation to the film’s hobbling is judged a smart adaptation choice — Bill Simmons
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56:29

What’s Aged the Worst?

The publishing-business lunch, painful hobbling, typewriter workflow, and slower rewatch pace

The publishing-business lunch, painful hobbling, typewriter workflow, and slower rewatch pace

In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 00:56:29Read transcript
  • A literary agent taking an author to the Four Seasons now feels implausible — Bill Simmons
  • The hobbling remains painfully difficult to watch — Brian Koppelman
  • Writing and revising on a typewriter has aged poorly — Bill Simmons
  • One host finds the first hour slow on rewatch — Bill Simmons
  • Producer Craig says the movie did not feel slow on his first viewing
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1:00:48

The Slow Ride / Kid Cudi – Pursuit of Happiness Award for Best Needle Drop

The cheerful opening-credit music

The cheerful opening-credit music

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:00:48Read transcript
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1:01:12

Dracula the Musical Award for Best Imitation of Real Art

The fictional Misery novels

The fictional Misery novels

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:01:12Read transcript
  • The Misery novels are selected because their melodramatic mythology sounds compelling — Bill Simmons
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1:01:51

The Big Kahuna Burger Award for Best Use of Food and Drink

Dom Pérignon beats the Spam meatloaf

Dom Pérignon beats the Spam meatloaf

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:01:51Read transcript
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1:02:17

The Den of Thieves Benihana Award for Scene-Stealing Location

Annie’s basement

Annie’s basement

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:02:17Read transcript
  • The dark, Psycho-like basement is nominated — Bill Simmons
  • The fancy Four Seasons restaurant is the only other choice — Bill Simmons
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1:02:47

The Great Shot Gordo Award for Most Cinematic Shot

Annie’s lightning-lit face when Paul wakes

Annie’s lightning-lit face when Paul wakes

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:02:47Read transcript
  • The rising camera revealing Annie’s face in lightning is selected without objection — Bill Simmons
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1:03:07

The Butch’s Girlfriend Award for the Weakest Link in the Film

The inadequate search for Paul Sheldon

The inadequate search for Paul Sheldon

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:03:07Read transcript
  • The search effort seems implausibly small for a famous author who vanished after checking out — Bill Simmons
  • Buster knowing the Wilkes estate but failing to connect Annie’s criminal history sooner is criticized — Brian Koppelman
  • Buster going to Annie’s house alone is criticized — Brian Koppelman
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1:05:43

The Ron Burgundy Flute Award for the Best Time for a Pee Break

From immediately after the crash until Annie shaves Paul

From immediately after the crash until Annie shaves Paul

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:05:43Read transcript
  • A roughly four-minute break after the crash and before the shaving scene is selected — Bill Simmons
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1:05:43

Is There a Better Title for This Movie?

No — Misery

No — Misery

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:05:43Read transcript
  • The existing title is retained, strengthened by the pig also being named Misery — Bill Simmons
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1:05:43

The Neil McCauley “A Book about Metals” Award for Best Line from the Movie

“You’ll never know the fear of losing someone like you if you’re someone like me” and the Sistine Chapel insult

“You’ll never know the fear of losing someone like you if you’re someone like me” and the Sistine Chapel insult

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:05:43Read transcript
  • “You’ll never know the fear of losing someone like you if you’re someone like me” is selected for expressing Annie’s dependence — Bill Simmons
  • The Sistine Chapel insult is selected as the funniest and best-written line — Bill Simmons
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1:07:11

The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award

Kathy Bates gives the best Best Actress performance from 1990 through the episode’s present

Kathy Bates gives the best Best Actress performance from 1990 through the episode’s present

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:07:11Read transcript
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1:09:13

The Ruffalo / Hanna / Rubinek / Partridge Overacting Award

No award

No award

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:09:13Read transcript
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1:09:52

The Joey Pants “That Guy” Award

Frances Sternhagen edges Richard Farnsworth

Frances Sternhagen edges Richard Farnsworth

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:09:52Read transcript
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1:10:24

The Dion Waiters Award for Best Heat Check Performance

Frances Sternhagen

Frances Sternhagen

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:10:24Read transcript
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1:10:24

Recasting Couch

Faye Dunaway or Jane Fonda for Lauren Bacall

Faye Dunaway or Jane Fonda for Lauren Bacall

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:10:24Read transcript
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1:11:02

Half-Assed Internet Research

Production anecdotes cover Caan, the actors’ rehearsal conflict, adaptations, effects, and King’s addiction metaphor

Production anecdotes cover Caan, the actors’ rehearsal conflict, adaptations, effects, and King’s addiction metaphor

In the discussion (9)
Approx. transcript time · 01:11:02Read transcript
  • James Caan reportedly had unusable footage after arriving hungover and reimbursed the studio — Bill Simmons
  • Some dialogue is suspected of having been looped, though the reason is uncertain — Bill Simmons
  • Stephen King is reported to have called Annie Wilkes his favorite character — Bill Simmons
  • Caan preferred discovery during filming while Bates preferred rehearsal; Reiner found a middle ground — Bill Simmons
  • A 2015 Broadway adaptation starred Bruce Willis and Laurie Metcalf and used a Goldman script — Bill Simmons
  • Castle Rock season two also adapted Annie Wilkes material — Bill Simmons
  • A DVD feature described Annie as a broad catalog of mental illness — Bill Simmons
  • The hobbling prosthetics used gelatin legs, wires, and openings in the bed for Caan’s real legs — Bill Simmons
  • King later explained Annie and the hobbling as metaphors for his drug dependence and inability to escape it — Bill Simmons
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1:13:13

Apex Mountain

Kathy Bates and the 1974 Jeep Cherokee

Kathy Bates and the 1974 Jeep Cherokee

In the discussion (8)
Approx. transcript time · 01:13:13Read transcript
  • Kathy Bates is an immediate Apex Mountain choice — Bill Simmons
  • King of Comedy is selected as the apex movie about an obsessed fan — Bill Simmons
  • The Overlook Hotel is selected for Colorado — Bill Simmons
  • The Shawshank Redemption is favored as the apex Stephen King film, with The Shining and Stand by Me discussed — Brian Koppelman
  • A Few Good Men is proposed for Rob Reiner, with When Harry Met Sally, The American President, and The Princess Bride also discussed — Bill Simmons
  • The 1974 Jeep Cherokee is judged at its apex — Brian Koppelman
  • The 1966 Ford Mustang is judged not at its apex — Brian Koppelman
  • Liberace is raised with the film’s memorable record-player line — Brian Koppelman
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1:15:28

Hall of Fame Plaque

Kathy Bates would enter with Annie Wilkes on her plaque

Kathy Bates would enter with Annie Wilkes on her plaque

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:15:28Read transcript
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1:15:55

Best Race Horse Name from This Movie

Misery, Annie Wilkes, Dragon Nurse, and Sheldon’s Misery

Misery, Annie Wilkes, Dragon Nurse, and Sheldon’s Misery

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:15:55Read transcript
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1:16:15

Picking Nits

The pursuit, scrapbook, housing, legal history, knife plan, and bodily-care logistics draw objections

The pursuit, scrapbook, housing, legal history, knife plan, and bodily-care logistics draw objections

In the discussion (11)
Approx. transcript time · 01:16:15Read transcript
  • Annie says she followed Paul, but the wide opening shots show no vehicle behind him — Bill Simmons
  • A snowmobile hidden in the woods is offered as one way Annie could have followed Paul unseen — Bill Simmons
  • Keeping an incriminating scrapbook openly in the living room is challenged; hiding it is proposed — Bill Simmons
  • A defense notes that real serial killers sometimes retain trophies — Brian Koppelman
  • Paul is so successful that he should own a Colorado home instead of repeatedly using a lodge — Bill Simmons
  • Annie’s apparent release after multiple infant deaths seems implausibly lenient — Bill Simmons
  • Paul should stay awake with the knife rather than doze off — Bill Simmons
  • Paul’s injuries and exhaustion are offered as a defense for falling asleep — Bill Simmons
  • The movie largely avoids the practical toilet and bedpan needs of a bedridden captive — Bill Simmons
  • The practical burden of staging and shooting bedpan material, only to cut it in editing, is offered as a defense for omitting it — Brian Koppelman
  • A small toilet in the room is proposed as a simple fix — Bill Simmons
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1:20:30

Sequel, Prequel, Limited Series, or All-Black Remake

A limited series with two women; period setting disputed

A limited series with two women; period setting disputed

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:20:30Read transcript
  • A seven-episode limited series with gender-flipped or same-sex leads is proposed — Bill Simmons
  • Two women are preferred as the remake’s leads — Brian Koppelman
  • One view says it must remain a period piece because modern people are too findable — Brian Koppelman
  • The opposing view says modern surveillance and devices could become part of the story — Bill Simmons
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1:21:50

Is This Movie Better With…?

J.T. Walsh already fits; Philip Baker Hall as Buster

J.T. Walsh already fits; Philip Baker Hall as Buster

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:21:50Read transcript
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1:22:30

Just One Oscar

Kathy Bates

Kathy Bates

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:22:30Read transcript
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1:22:30

Probably Unanswerable Questions

Annie’s nursing history; which Knicks season Paul missed

Annie’s nursing history; which Knicks season Paul missed

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:22:30Read transcript
  • Earlier questions about Annie’s nursing history are acknowledged as already covered — Bill Simmons
  • Paul may have missed the Knicks season containing their Boston Garden comeback — Bill Simmons
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1:23:34

Best Double Feature

The King of Comedy

The King of Comedy

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:23:34Read transcript
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1:24:23

The Andy and Red – Zihuatanejo Award for What Happens the Next Day?

Paul’s escape and the ensuing publicity

Paul’s escape and the ensuing publicity

In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 01:24:23Read transcript
  • Paul might crawl to a vehicle and attempt to drive despite his damaged legs — Bill Simmons
  • Police are expected to retrace the missing sheriff’s route and reach the house — Brian Koppelman
  • A radio in the sheriff’s truck might provide another rescue path — Brian Koppelman
  • An alternate ending has Paul crash again because his legs prevent him from driving — Bill Simmons
  • His ordeal is expected to become a People cover and major television interview story — Bill Simmons
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1:26:10

What Piece of Memorabilia Would You Want From This Movie?

An unfiltered cigarette and the bloodied typewriter

An unfiltered cigarette and the bloodied typewriter

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:26:10Read transcript
  • An unfiltered cigarette is selected — Brian Koppelman
  • The typewriter, specifically with fake blood from the final fight, is selected — Brian Koppelman
  • Brian Koppelman explains that his cigarette choice connects to a day spent with Stephen King, who rationed four cigarettes daily — Brian Koppelman
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1:28:11

The Coach Finstock Award for Best Life Lesson

Check the weather, avoid a Mustang in a blizzard, own a local home, and maintain check-in routines

Check the weather, avoid a Mustang in a blizzard, own a local home, and maintain check-in routines

In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 01:28:11Read transcript
  • “Do not have fans” is offered as the easy but impractical lesson — Brian Koppelman
  • Check the weather and do not drive a 1966 Mustang in a blizzard — Brian Koppelman
  • Mustangs are endorsed for California driving instead — Brian Koppelman
  • A successful repeat visitor should buy a Colorado home — Bill Simmons
  • Travelers should check in before and after journeys so searches begin sooner — Brian Koppelman
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1:29:31

Who Won the Movie?

Kathy Bates

Kathy Bates

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:29:31Read transcript
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More from the conversation

Opening includes network and product promotions, a trailer, and the explicit introduction of Brian Koppelman.
Approx. transcript time · 00:00:02Read transcript
The hosts discuss Stephen King’s stature, the novel’s addiction metaphor, Castle Rock, Rob Reiner, Andy Scheinman, and William Goldman’s adaptation.
Approx. transcript time · 00:02:59Read transcript
The adaptation changed the book’s amputation to hobbling; Goldman later conceded the less extreme choice worked better on screen.
Approx. transcript time · 00:19:38Read transcript
Brian Koppelman recounts Rounders editing decisions, an unused urinal-cake gag, and an early 30 for 30 format idea as examples of creative judgment changing after feedback.
Approx. transcript time · 00:21:23Read transcript
Carvana and Zepbound advertisements interrupt the episode.
Approx. transcript time · 00:27:44Read transcript
The hosts discuss Kathy Bates being relatively unknown to film audiences and debate the advantage of casting actors without audience baggage.
Approx. transcript time · 00:29:38Read transcript
The hosts debate James Caan and alternate actors for Paul Sheldon, then discuss Bates’s Oscar field and a Richard Gere hypothetical.
Approx. transcript time · 00:36:08Read transcript
Whole Foods and Clinic Kids advertisements interrupt between scene discussion and categories.
Approx. transcript time · 00:54:37Read transcript
A long Knicks and William Goldman digression follows the Aged Best discussion.
Approx. transcript time · 00:58:10Read transcript
The closing digression concerns Jalen Brunson, the Knicks, and producer Craig’s first-viewing reaction.
Approx. transcript time · 01:29:48Read transcript