Misery Is NOT Kathy Bates' Best Performance, This Stephen King Adaptation Is
Bates herself admitted that this is a favorite role of hers ever. You'll never look at her or Stephen King adaptations the same way ever again.
Kathy Bates is the kind of actress who can make any project she's in better. Think of her terrifying Annie Wilkes in Misery (1990), scene-stealing in About Schmidt (2002) or any role that American Horror Story ( 2011-Present) had thrown at her. She's proven time and time again that she's a force to be reckoned with.
Yet the actors’ most celebrated role isn't necessarily their best work. Yes, her portrayal of Annie Wilkes in Misery earned her an Academy Award (a very well-deserved), it's her acting in another Stephen King adaptation that truly showed her incredible range.
Dolores Claiborne (1995): Strong Cast Meets Fascinating Story
5 years after Misery was released, Dolores Claiborne came to big screens. Based on a novel by Stephen King, the movie tells a story of a housekeeper accused of murdering her wealthy employer.
Bates' Dolores is a tough-as-nails woman who's survived years of pain and misery, yet there's just a subtle hint of hurt behind her eyes that breaks through at just the right moments. She delivers her lines with a thick Maine accent that never feels forced. It makes you forget you're watching Kathy Bates at all. You're just watching Dolores.
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Like all the best King's adaptations, the film's atmosphere is extremely tense. Director Taylor Hackford builds tension through careful pacing and a non-linear narrative that keeps you guessing until the very end.
The film also benefits from an absolutely killer supporting cast. Jennifer Jason Leigh perfectly embodies Selena, Dolores's estranged daughter. And Christopher Plummer brings his A-game as Detective John Mackey.
Dolores Claiborne Is Kathy Bates Favorite Performance
Speaking of great performances, Kathy Bates herself has mentioned that Dolores Claiborne is her favorite role ever. In her interview to Talk of the Nation, Bates revealed:
“It's my favorite role of all the roles that I've done, and it's because of Taylor Hackford, the director. And he gave me a couple of months before we started shooting–which is rare in film–to really prepare for the role.”
We’re so glad that Hackford gave her time to really prepare, and that time truly didn’t go to waste as this is one of the most fascinating performances in King’s adaptations ever.
While Misery might have gotten her the Oscar, Dolores Claiborne is where Bates really showed us everything she's capable of. You can watch it right now on Fandango at Home, Spectrum, Amazon Video or Apple TV+.
