James Caan played Paul Sheldon in the 1990 film adaptation of Stephen King's Misery.
Directed by Rob Reiner, the film stars Caan as Paul Sheldon, a novelist rescued after a car crash by Annie Wilkes, played by Kathy Bates. Annie claims to be Paul's biggest fan, but she becomes increasingly violent when she learns that he has killed off her favorite fictional character.
The film was adapted from King's 1987 novel. Unlike many King adaptations, Misery focuses on psychological suspense rather than supernatural events. Its confined setting and central performances made it a particularly influential example of a thriller built around obsession and captivity.
Kathy Bates won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance as Annie Wilkes. Caan was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actor, while the film received strong critical recognition for both leads.