I just said this on another thread - thought she was fabulous in Delores Claiborne!

But that's not Kathy's acting, that's just the script that was written for her. Ms Bates is a fantastic actor, and she excels in every role she plays. However, my favorite character that she played was not Annie Wilkes, but Dolores Claiborne.

I disagree. I needed more subtlety. When someone asks you questions about the roads and hospitals and phones, and you are going to lie, you don't start acting suspiciously shifty, darting your eyes around and walking away like a cartoon. You would try to play it as nonchalantly as possible. This was a bit too much of a caricature for me. Like a 14 year old's idea of mental instability. I wanted more nuance.
Coming Soon The December Man
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qj7fRpcXRI

The academy screws up a lot of years but they got it right with Kathy Bates

Yes, I agree with you. While she was absolutely insane and a sick, violent person Kathy brought something to the character where I personally couldn't hate her and felt sorry for her no matter what she said or did. She brought a certain vulnerability to the character which is a sign of a truly great actress.

Yes, great at watching her calculated in-her-head acting, and speaking AT Caan instead of TO him

Well, you're clearly not able to discern true talent when it stares you in the face ! And what have Anjelica Huston or Glenn Close got to do with a review on "Misery"? Get a grip rascal.

Hi Rascal!
Interesting take but yes I really enjoyed Bates in Delores Claiborn. She was also hysterical in Titanic as Molly Brown and good in Abulance Girl. I also liked her in Fried Green Tomatoes! It is as always, great to bump into you on our mutual boards! Keep up the great posts
"These days you have to boil someone before you can sleep with them"

Hey your Royal Highness,
I love Glenn Close in FATAL ATTRACTION and I think she did a better job at playing nutty, than what Bates did here in MISERY. I like Kathy Bates, yet I am not overly sold on her performance. I had read the book prior to seeing the film and I was disappointed overall. Her Annie Wilkes, was an interesting character, yet I saw Bates acting and showing us her madness and unpredictability, rather than being it and I didn't find much nuance or layers in her segues of mood swings. There was no genuine hint to her madness, when she was calm or casual.
She wasn't bad, just more like she was acting out on stagethis was her first major film roleand I don't really like James Caan either, so that doesn't help matters. Bates was better in Dolores Claiborne
Angelica Huston was more deserving to my mind for THE GRIFTERS. I am fascinated with her Lily Dillon character and she was more real.

Yes she played that role very well. I liked Glenn Close's performance too in Fatal Attraction for similar reasons!
"These days you have to boil someone before you can sleep with them"