Whenever I review a DVD release of a Stephen King movie, I have the habit of mentioning every great movie adaptation and every bad movie adaptation. This time around, I'll skip that part because if any of you are movie fans or Stephen King fans already you know which ones are which. You also know that when you get an adaptation it's like the oft-quoted 'box of chocolates'… you never know what you're gonna get. In the case of "Misery", which I read way back when it was originally published, the adaptation directed by Rob Reiner instantly hit the list of 'awesome beyond belief' Stephen King movies. The character of Annie Wilkes, which was at the time one of King's most chilling and realistic creations, was brought to life in an Academy Award winning performance by Kathy Bates. As the #1 fan of author Paul Sheldon (James Caan), Bates became the cinematic realization of every celebrity's nightmare.

On the off chance that you’re not familiar with the story, Paul Sheldon is the author of a series of romantic adventures starring a character named Misery Chastain. Though he is thankful for his success, Sheldon wants to write more serious literature so he opts to kill off the character in what would be her final book. When he is injured in a car accident in a remote area, he is taken in by Annie, whom he soon learns is his #1 fan. While he is recuperating, she reads the newly published book and become enraged that Misery dies at the end. At this turning point in the story, Sheldon becomes her prisoner and she forces him to burn his new book and write a whole new Misery novel, bringing her back to life.

The brilliance of the original book is that it is actually two books in one. In between chapters of Sheldon and Annie's story, you also get to read the new "Misery" book that Sheldon is writing. Unfortunately there was no way to make this work cinematically, but the adaptation by screenwriter William Goldman is every bit as genius as the original material. The performances by both leads is extremely powerful, and some of the visual choices exceedingly cringe-worthy. And again, Bates' Annie cuts a very frightening figure, even when acting her sweetest you can sense the underlying madness.

There have been a couple of DVD releases in the past, but this month MGM is releasing a brand new collector's edition which offers up a pristine transfer. Honestly I cannot remember the movie ever looking this good. The image is sharp and even the darkest scenes show an amazing amount of detail. Even the sound, which is very dialogue heavy, comes across clean and clear.

This edition also brings with it a slew of extra features, all of which I enjoyed considering my affinity for this film. There are two separate commentary tracks, one by Reiner and the other by Goldman. Both tracks, though informative has a lot of gaps in it where they are obviously getting caught up in the film. It would have been much better if the two could have shared a commentary track, setting a conversational tone might have allowed for less silence. "Misery Loves Company" is a thirty minute making of featurette that offers a lot of interview footage with the cast and crew and gives pretty good look back at the production. There is also a featurette where we hear from composer Marc Shaiman about working on this project, his first film. You'll also find a couple of trailers, one specifically tailored to sell the movie during the holiday season.

The rest of the features focus more on the psychotic aspects stalkers, the first focusing specifically on the character of Annie Wilkes. Others include a look at what those who are being stalked should and should not do, an explanation of the mindset of a typical stalker as well as those who stalk celebrities, and a look at stalking laws.

"Misery" is still every bit as great a movie as it ever was, equally as disturbing now as it was when it was first released back in 1990. This new MGM DVD release is well with picking up if you don’t already have an earlier version in your collection.

Directed by: Rob Reiner
Starring: Kathy Bates, James Caan, Richard Farnsworth, Frances Sternhagen
Extras: Feature Commentary by Director Rob Reiner, Feature Commentary by Screenwriter William Goldman, “Misery Loves Company” Featurette, “Marc Shaiman’s Music Misery Tour” Featurette, ”Diagnosing Annie Wilkes” Featurette, “Advice For The Stalked” Featurette, “Profile Of A Stalker” Featurette, “Celebrity Stalkers” Featurette, “Anti-Stalking Laws” Featurette, and the Original Theatrical Teaser & Trailer.
Specifications: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound, Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround Sound
Studio: MGM
Release Date: 10/2/2007
Region 1
MPAA Rating: R
Website

We'll give Misery: Collector's Edition an A.