Misery film analysis

1. Misery
By Alexandra Wells

2. How character is set up
At the beginning of Misery, we see the main character (Paul Sheldon) in the
background on a typewriter. In the foreground, the audience first sees a single match
and cigarette which could indicate to the audience that he’s a stressed character so he
has cigarettes to calm his nerves. The audience then sees a shot of a single
champagne flute and a shot of a bottle of champagne on ice. This indicates that he’s
also a lonely character. The typewriter tells the audience that he’s an author as we see
that he writes ‘The End’ at the bottom of the last page of his novel.

3. How titles are used
At the very beginning, the audience sees the production title of Columbia Pictures
and Castle Rock Entertainment. The film then immediately starts without any cast
or director credits. This effectively captures the audiences attention as the
suspense and curiosity of the audience begins to build and the fact that the
audience doesn’t have to wait for any credits to finish..

4. Technical elements-camera work
The camera work within the
opening of Misery is slow. The
slow movements between each
shot lets the audience take in
the surroundings and to analyse
what’s happening. While the
audience sees single shots of
the cigarette and champagne,
the foreground is in focus and
the background is blurred. This
indicates what the director
wants to draw the attention of
the audience to. The slow
camera movement over his
work lets the audience see his
work. This indicates that his
work is important and a big part
of the film.

5. Technical elements-editing
The single shots of the cigarette and
match, champagne flute and
champagne on ice at the beginning
signifies the importance of these
objects. The next shot is a close up
shot of the typewriter printing the
words onto the paper. This allows the
audience to focus on what Paul is
typing.
Next, is a close up shot of Paul so that
the audience can see his facial
expressions. We don’t particularly
see him happy but the audience can
tell that he’s proud of his work as the
next shot is of him writing ‘The End’
at the bottom of the novel, signifying
that he’s pleased with his work.

6. Technical elements-mise en scene
The mise-en-scene within Misery tells the audience a lot
about what’s to come later in the film. The lighting
through the window at the beginning highlights Paul’s
face so that he stands out from his surroundings. The
colours of his surroundings also brings this out more too
as the bolder colours seem to be brought forward into
the foreground.
His costume doesn’t give away the fact that he’s an author,
but the colour red that he wears signifies and foreshadows
the blood he loses and the danger he’ll be in later on in the
film.
This bag, where he puts his work into, it slightly tattered
and torn. This tells the audience that he uses this bag for
every piece of work that he does. It can indicate that he’s a
character who cherishes what he has and that he’s had this
bag for a long time.

7. Technical elements-sound
The audience hears the diegetic sound of a
typewriter at the very beginning of the film. This
tells the audience that Paul is a busy and
committed character to his work. Once he’s done,
the audience hears non-diegetic background
music. The build up of the non-diegetic piano keys
and strings builds up tension and suspense for the
audience as the audience then wonders what is to
come in the film.
After he finishes his novel, the audience
hears the diegetic sound of a cork
popping and champagne being poured.
The audience then hears the diegetic
sound of a match being lit. This indicates
that he’s having a drink and cigarette to
celebrate the end of his novel.