Mes-en-scene: Misery

With the introduction of the film, you are introduced to Paul Sheldon the protagonist, the main narrative of the story as a writer of a famous series of books called ‘Misery’. Like Sheldon, the place in which he stays to write his books, it is recluse, quite and reserved. Set in the snowy country side in solitude is where the main events of the story occur. 

In completion of his final book, Sheldon sets of back to his home, however he is caught in a snow storm. It is this storm that allows the events of the film to unfold, the atmosphere becoming dark and bleak, a foreshadowing of events that might occur.

During the snow storm, Paul crashes his car, only to be saved by a mysterious figure, which is later to be revealed as Annie Wilkes. Unlike Pauls smartly dressed, professional attire, Annie dresses in warm motherly clothing which leads the viewer into believing that she is a caring figure. This is also reinforced by the help and care that she seemingly gives Paul.

Unlike Wilkes caring nature, Paul is very cold and distant in the beginnings of his new to be recovery room. Paul rarely shows any signs of happiness throughout the film, even in the beginning before the accident. Now dressed in hospital gowns, the severity of the accident is now clear, which contributed to his bitterness.

As the film progresses the lighting darkens, from high key lighting to low key lighting, along with Annie’s mood. The difference between her attitude and the abuse that she gives Paul is a binary opposition. This leads the viewer to empathise with Paul and will him to survive the torture that he is being put through.

The stereo type that the viewer initially gives Annie because of the motherly attitude adds even more to the shock of the events that happen in this isolated house in the countryside, being an enigma code. Some of the acts and emotions that she shows leads her to be almost child like, being easy to anger, old fashioned and allowing her emotions to be effected by the weather.

I feel that the best part of mes-en-scene used within the whole film is the props. Annie has a whole selection of props that build on her character, getting ever more so dangerous leading from medicine, to the razorblade, the gun and the worst being the sledge hammer.

Paul’s freedom would not have been possible within the objects at his disposal, most important of is the wheel chair. The typewriter is almost as important as the wheel chair is, enabling Paul be able to write and to ultimately burn his final book and then to end Annie’s life giving him the freedom that he was trying to get throughout the film; freedom from misery.