Anne White is sleeping peacefully in a large and fabulous modern house (not my taste, but obviously expensive) while her husband Jack is apparently away on business. Her sleep is disturbed by intruders. The next day, she finds herself chained to a bed in a farmhouse, still wearing the tiny red nightie which looks more appropriate for Valentine's Day with her husband than for a night alone. I should mention that even though she changes nightgowns several times, Anne always manages to show off her legs, except in several outdoor scenes in winter.
Frank and Helen want to have a baby, but for some reason they can't. It turns out that Anne is having their baby.
Frank works in a clinic where a woman is told she is not pregnant, even though she is vomiting and has had several positive pregnancy tests. Back at the farmhouse, he calmly explains the situation to Anne, and even seems to show her concern, though he will discipline her if she misbehaves, and he often tortures her for the good of the baby (force-feeding her the right foods, for example). Sometimes he and Helen threaten her life, but then how would they have they baby?
Helen is all excited, and she is enjoying pretending to be pregnant. She even goes so far as to wear a pillow under maternity clothes, just for appearances.
Jack returns home to the horrifying news that his wife's car has gone off a cliff and burned, and the body inside cannot be identified. Without absolute proof, he refuses to believe Anne is dead. There are clues that he may be right.
The real reason to watch here is Jennifer Tilly. Her often humorous portrayal of the perky but neurotic Helen reminded me of Kitty on "That 70s Show" and Rose on "Two and a Half Men" (which I watch), and Karen on "Will and Grace" (which I don't). Sometimes Helen was calm, if not completely all there, and sometimes she went completely over the edge. She was a real delight to watch.
Vincent Gallo gave a careful portrayal of the ethically challenged medical professional, often trying to remain pleasant and concerned except when something really exasperated him.
Daryl Hannah did a capable job, moving from depressed to genuinely frightened to fighting like a demon. She did have at least one scene where she showed concern for her captors, though Anne could have been faking.
Bruce Greenwood also did a good job in the scenes where he was grieving.
I also need to single out Vanessa MaCrae, the Diaper Technician from Happy Bottoms. She reminded me of Frances McDormand's Marge in "Fargo", though I didn't like that particular character.
I wouldn't really call this movie scary, though it did have the obligatory creepy music at times.
The ending was exciting with lots of unexpected twists.
I never wanted to see "Misery", by the way, because it seemed too scary. I think I enjoyed this version more than I would that movie.
