Happy Valentine’s Day! There is no better time of year to watch amazing rom-coms, and considering I already reviewed my favorite of the genre, I thought I’d take a look at another Nora Ephron story, this time directed by her: “Sleepless in Seattle” (1993).
While she has some director credits to her name, in 1993, Nora Ephron was probably best known for her writing. She garnered much praise for films like “When Harry Met Sally…” (1989), “Silkwood” (1983) and “Heartburn” (1986). Ephron always writes intelligent, witty and emotionally layered characters; “Sleepless in Seattle” is no exception.
The film follows Sam Baldwin (Tom Hanks) and his son Jonah (Ross Malinger), who move to Seattle after the death of Sam’s wife. When Jonah calls a radio show in search of a new wife for his dad. One listener, Baltimore reporter Annie Reed (Meg Ryan), quickly falls for Sam after listening to the show and writes Sam a letter asking him to meet her atop the Empire State Building on Valentine’s Day.
Ephron’s film, partially inspired by Leo McCarey’s 1957 film “An Affair to Remember,” is a seminal work in the romantic comedy genre, anchored by amazing performances from the entire cast. Ephron’s film seamlessly meets and subverts rom-com expectations.
Both Sam and Annie embody different perspectives on love and emotional vulnerability. Sam is a widowed father and, at this point, has a very pragmatic viewpoint of love and romance. Annie, in contrast, has a very idealized notion of what love is. Her understanding of love and romance has been greatly influenced by pop culture and Hollywood. Ephron takes these pre-established character traits and develops them throughout the film, giving way to prominent and satisfying character arcs. The film’s supporting cast includes Bill Pullman’s Walter and Rita Wilson’s Suzy. Hanks and Wilson have been married since 1988.
“Sleepless in Seattle” also has an interesting view of how media and technology can be a driving force for romance. Annie only hears of Sam through a radio show, and a majority of their communication is through letters and long-distance phone calls. The film’s pre-internet depiction of long-distance love foreshadows the ways in which digital technology would later redefine romantic connectivity in the 21st century.
Marc Shaiman’s music, Sven Nykvist’s cinematography and Jeffrey Townsend and Clay Griffith’s set design and decoration all further the film’s warm tone and aesthetic. They do a terrific job of making the film feel timeless yet timely.
Overall, while not a perfect film, “Sleepless in Seattle” is another welcome addition to the genre and endures as a culturally significant film. It’s far better than the majority of rom-coms we get today.
Rating: 3.5/5
