MovieChat Forums > Misery (1990) Discussion > Is this actually a plot hole?

Is this actually a plot hole?

posted 10 years ago by peggy714
12 replies | jump to latest

In the Goofs section IMDb has the following listed as a plot hole.

When Marcia Sindell calls Buster up and asks if he has seen or heard anything about Paul Sheldon, he tells her that if he finds anything he will call her right back. Buster wouldn't be able to call her back because she did not give him her phone number, the firm she works for or where she is calling from.

Why wouldn't he be able to call her back? She gave him her name and did say she was calling from New York. If I remember correctly, she also gave her job title. It wouldn't be that hard for him to get her number by calling information.

[–] michaelsmith30 10 years ago

I'm sure they had caller ID back then.

[–] peggy714 10 years ago

I hadn't thought of caller ID, but you're absolutely right!

[–] SEAL412 10 years ago

Caller ID existed then but it wasnt widespread or that common. The town seemed to be a bit behind so I can't imagine they had caller ID.

My folks got caller ID from Bell Atlantic (now Verizon)when it first was available for residential neighborhoods. This was the mid 90s. I doubt they would've had caller ID in a small town in 1989.

[–] SayNoToRemakes 10 years ago

I'm from a very small town in the south, and I specifically remember getting caller ID in 1991. I had heard it was coming out the year before and kept calling the phone company to find out when it would be available in my area. It was very limited at first and only showed numbers. It didn't show toll free numbers and didn't show all long distance numbers.

I just watched this scene, and I think we're supposed to assume we didn't hear the entire conversation and she gave him her number. When several days' events are condensed into 90 minutes, they can't possibly show every conversation and movement a person makes. Some things have to be assumed. Just my opinion.

[–] mjd_subs2 9 years ago

When several days' events are condensed into 90 minutes, they can't possibly show every conversation and movement a person makes. Some things have to be assumed. Just my opinion.

I agree. It's so annoying when people complain about a movie being boring and "nothing happens" or time until something interesting is soooooo long, but then nitpick every little thing that is left out to avoid the aforementioned problems. I think I'd rather have ANY job on the planet over movie writer or director. It seems like they just can't win no matter how a story is presented.

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"Get busy living, or get busy dying." (Andy - The Shawshank Redemption)

[–] BrianRaess_Is_FinallyGone 10 years ago

The phone he answered from didn't have a caller ID display.

[–] tyrexden 10 years ago

Back then, (and in fact still today, if you stil have that device), the caller ID display was a separate little box in between the wall jack and the actual phone.

[–] cajayson8301 10 years ago

She's in New York City so there are obviously a lot of people. The name "Marcia Sindell" is one that can kind of be a repeat amid a city of eight million people (or however crowded NYC was at the time the novel takes place). Granted, it's not as common as John Smith but it can still be a repeat listing for 411.

However, Buster could likely figure out her contact info by purchasing one of Paul Sheldon's books or at least looking at the publishing company's name on it, contact them via 411 and ask them for Ms. Sindell's phone number. There's no doubt they would have it.

When God made Tom Cruise, he was only joking.

[–] deephouse412 10 years ago

WOW... the "goofs" section and everyone who posted a response to this thread is really bored. Myself included. If an author went missing and the publisher called the police in the town he/she went missing in, im sure the police would be able to track down a phone number. Digging deep friends. Caller ID...LOL

What business is it of yours... where I am from, Friend-O.

[–] Soodinum 9 years ago

Pretty much no one on IMDb uses "plot hole" correctly.

'Then' and 'than' are different words - stop confusing them.

[–] Robbmonster 9 years ago

Another reason is because William Goldman is an excellent writer who wants to avoid something like...

BUSTER
If I hear anything, I'll be sure and call you right away.

SINDELL
Great. Got my number?

Buster looks around his desk.

BUSTER
Now you mention it, I don't believe I do.

SINDELL
OK, it's 555...

BUSTER
Hold your horses there ma'am, I ain't much at remembering phone numbers.

SINDELL
Do you have a pen?

Buster grabs a pen from his desk.

BUSTER
Got one. Fire away.

SINDELL
It's 555...

Buster tries to write, but the pen is old, and the ink dried. Nothing appears on his paper.

BUSTER
Just a moment, Miss Sindell, my pen's misbehavin.

SINDELL
Draw tiny circles, gradually getting bigger.

Buster does as instructed.

BUSTER
It's ain't working.

SINDELL
Can't you find another pen?

And so on.

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[–] ghostdog2041 9 years ago

Maybe he *69'ed her!
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