So you like hobbling people, huh?! How about I hobble your face?!
- Paul burning the manuscript in front of Annie while teasing her about how good it is. Of course, in the book he was bluffing, but after spending the entire book at her mercy, the poor guy deserved to defeat the psycho.Paul: (tauntingly shows her the burnt pages) You want this? Then EAT IT! (stuffs fistfuls of the papers down her throat) Eat it till you choke, YOU SICK, TWISTED FUCK!
- To say nothing of the ensuing struggle; after getting beat on the head with a heavy typewriter twice over, her arm set on fire, her nose broken, eyes almost gouged out, her scalp almost ripped off, choked with the charred remains of her dream novel and ultimately having her face caved in with a doorstop, it's safe to say Annie got a good idea of all the horrors she'd put Paul through. Ironically enough, it was the typewriter to the head that killed her; it caused a brain haemorrhage, and so she was a dead woman walking without knowing it.
- Even better in the book, as he had only put the cover page on the top, while the rest of the pile were blank sheets of paper, allowing him to publish his best story yet after the ordeal was over.
- To say nothing of the ensuing struggle; after getting beat on the head with a heavy typewriter twice over, her arm set on fire, her nose broken, eyes almost gouged out, her scalp almost ripped off, choked with the charred remains of her dream novel and ultimately having her face caved in with a doorstop, it's safe to say Annie got a good idea of all the horrors she'd put Paul through. Ironically enough, it was the typewriter to the head that killed her; it caused a brain haemorrhage, and so she was a dead woman walking without knowing it.
- Likewise, the build-up to said scene:Paul: Remember how for all those years, nobody knew who Misery's real father was? Or if they'd ever be reunited? (shows her the manuscript) It's all right here. Does she finally marry Ian, or will it be Winthorne? It's all right here. (reveals a lighter in one hand)Annie: (realises what he's about to do) Paul, YOU CAN'T!Paul: (grimly smirks) Why not? I learned it from you. (sets fire to the manuscript)Annie: NO! (completely freaks out, dropping to her knees and frantically clawing at the burning papers) NO! NO! MISERY! MY MISERY! NO! NOT MY MISERY!
- Right before said dialogue, after Paul tricks Annie into leaving the room to get a second glass for the toast, he quickly prepares everything for what will be his last stand against his captor. He accommodates his wheelchair out of the table, puts the fake manuscript on the floor, drenches it and a piece of paper in his hand with lighter fluid, moves the typewriter on the table to easily grab it later, and takes the lighter with his spare hand. He then stands his position and readies himself for Annie. The look on his face shows you the sheer determination he has to survive, knowing that even if he doesn't, he won't go down without a fight.
- This film is to date the only Stephen King adaptation to win an Oscar. Yes, even among such classics as The Shawshank Redemption and Reiner's own Stand by Me.
- King was actually so impressed by Kathy Bates' performance that he wrote Dolores Claiborne specifically so she could play the title character in a film adaptation. And she did.
