Misery and THAT Score: So Underrated!

Okay, people, let's talk Misery. I feel like James Caan and Kathy Bates get all the (deserved) praise for their performances, but what about Marc Shaiman's score?! Seriously, it's so crucial to building the suspense and, dare I say, the ick factor of the whole thing. It's not a bombastic or super noticeable score, but that's what makes it so effective. It's this really subtle, creeping dread that just gets under your skin. Think about the scene when Paul first wakes up in Annie's house. The music is almost childlike, innocent-sounding, reflecting what appears to be her caring side. But then, there are these little dissonant chords that hint at something being very, very wrong. It's brilliant foreshadowing! And later, when Annie's true colors start to show, the score gets more frantic and unsettling, perfectly mirroring Paul's growing terror. I love how Shaiman uses these simple motifs and twists them to create different levels of tension. I think the music really elevates the film beyond being just a thriller. It's almost a character in itself, constantly reminding us that something sinister is lurking beneath the surface. Anyone else a fan of this soundtrack? Drop your favorite cue in the comments; I'm curious to see what resonates with everyone. I feel that the only thing that is a problem if you have to listen for it, the score can be missed if you aren't paying attention. Honestly, I feel like the effectiveness of the score is something that I only picked up on after re-watching the film a few times. The first time watching the film I was way to busy focusing on the actors that I didn't even pay much attention to the music at all.