Misery

By Alexandra Wells

How character is set upAt 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.

How titles are usedAt 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..

Technical elements-camera workThe 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.

Technical elements-editingThe 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.

Technical elements-mise en sceneThe 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.

Technical elements-soundThe 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.