The Film: Misery (1990)
The Film Thief: (Kathy Bates (Annie Wilkes)
Heist Moment: Everyone remembers the hobbling scene, but the genius of Annie is also in the buildup.
Bates is pitch perfect as the enthusiastic, ingratiating super fan to James Caan's neurotic novelist, Paul Sheldon.
It's a performance of layers and poised mannerisms and for all his roguish charm and power, Caan can't match her.
Memorable Line: “God I love you.” This, mind, shortly after she's smashed his ankles with a sledgehammer.
Tea-Leaf Trivia: In original cut of the film, there's a scene where Bates kills a cop by running him over with a lawnmower.
She was disappointed to see it edited out, but director Rob Reiner thought it would only get laughs.
Next: Captain Hadley
Comments
gambit21
Aug 11th 2009, 10:57
How could Nicholson's Joker be left out and indeed Ledger's.
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JoWareham
Aug 11th 2009, 12:34
Where is Marcia Gay Harden's terrifying Mrs Carmody from The Mist? She blows everyone else off the screen and manages to be much scarier than anything in the parking lot.
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rosco2903
Aug 11th 2009, 13:03
How could you miss Gary Oldmans scenery chewing performances in Leon or State of Grace. James Woods in The Specialist. No Clarence Boddicker, Kurgan or Hans Gruber. Hang your heads in shame TF
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pimpernel
Aug 11th 2009, 22:31
I concur with gambit21 - where's Ledger's Joker?! And Kenneth Brannagh's Iago? Toby Stephens in 'Die Another Day'? And, well I know this isn't a film, but John Simm as The Master in Doctor Who - he definitely nicked the limelight from Tennant! Totally agree about Alan Rickman in Prince of Thieves! "I'm going to cut your heart out with a spoon!" "Why a spoon cousin?" "BECAUSE IT HURTS MORE YOU IDIOT!!" Legendary...
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allykatharvey
Aug 16th 2009, 12:50
Great list! Could have been a bit longer to include Tim Roth's magnetic baddie in Rob Roy and Jeremy Northam's contribution as the almost-baddie but Wickedly-Sharper-Than-The-Hero scene stealer in Enigma! I bought the DVDs for both of these for the stunning bad guys!
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