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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.

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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1:02:47

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

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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1:07:11

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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1:13:13

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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1:20:30

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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1:26:10

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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