Sleepless in Seattle

Rating:
Summary: Loving it in New York
Review: If you enjoy romantic comedies this is one of the best. Even my husband, who usually runs from the room when I put on a chick flick, enjoyed watching this. He especially loves the scene where they tease Sam's sister about "An Affair to Remember."
But seriously folks, this is a well-written, charming, timeless tale of sorrow and soulmates. Ryan and Hanks work beautifully together and the supporting cast completes the film nicely. I recommend watching it with the commentary on at least once. It will get you to see it in a whole new light each time. You'll also pick up on things you might not have caught the first time such as the "theme of red."
Buy it for your self and share it with someone you love!

Rating:
Summary: Not Great, but it Works as a Feel-Good Modern Fable
Review: Nora Ephron's SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE (1993) is a nice fairy-tale of a movie that takes its primary inspiration from a classic Hollywood film, is written & directed by a chick-flick veteran, stars a pair of actors in what is at least their third on-screen pairing, and somehow comes out smelling as fresh as a newly-picked rose. This is a perfect date film, tailor-made for Valentine's Day. It creates the proper romantic mood for you & yours, while not requiring anyone to think too hard; put it to you this way, you won't miss much during your obligatory necking sessions.

The Hollywood classic is AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER (1957), to which numerous references are made throughout this film. The two stars of that earlier picture are Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr. The two stars of this film are, of course, Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. The combination of them with chick-flick queen Nora Ephron would lead you to believe that this movie is super-schmaltzy. Although the story unfolds according to the predictable manipulations of Ephron, and contains too many too-good-to-be-believable coincidences, it is ripe with sarcastic humor and even downplays its own hokiness. There's even a cute reference in it that a character makes towards films of this type.

It is very well-acted. As has been mentioned, this film was released in 1993, when Tom Hanks was finding himself as an actor; in fact, his very next film was PHILADELPHIA (also 1993), for which he deservedly won his first Oscar for Best Actor in an extremely complex role. This performance, while not as deep, is still quietly nuanced--and very sympathetic. It rings true, unlike the machinations of the script. Meg Ryan is also in fine form here, really finding her own quiet nuances while avoiding her previous tendencies to play cutsy. Ross Malinger, playing the young-but-wise son of Tom Hanks' character, does very well, even if the script provides him with some pretty unbelievable things to say at times. We also get a fine performance, even if it is essentially one-note, from Bill Pullman; I loved his touching scene with Ryan at the rooftop hotel restaurant late in the film. Also adding to the festivities are Rosie O'Donnell, David Hyde Pierce and Rob Reiner; each contributing his/her own unique brand of comedy. There's even a memorable cameo by Tom Hanks' real-life wife Rita Wilson.

Lastly, I like the way this movie makes good use of its Seattle and New York City locations. SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE may not make you sleepless, but it will entertain you, and maybe even bring out some of the hopeless romantic lurking somewhere in the depths of your heart and soul.

RECOMMENDED

Rating:
Summary: "It rains nine months a year in Seattle."
Review: In 1993, Nora Ephron directed and co-wrote the screenplay for the charming film "Sleepless in Seattle". The story, which was written by Jeff Arch, is about two strangers: the recently widowed architect Sam Baldwin (Tom Hanks) and writer Annie Reed (Meg Ryan). Sam lives in Seattle with his 8-year-old son Jonah (Ross Malinger), and Annie lives on the east coast and is recently engaged to the very allergic Walter (Bill Pullman). While driving from her parent's home on Christmas Eve, Annie turns on the radio, which is tuned to a talk show hosted by radio-psychologist Dr. Marcia Fieldstone (voice of Caroline Aaron). Wanting to help his dad find a new wife, Jonah calls Dr. Fieldstone who convinces Jonah to put Sam on the phone. Initially reluctant to talk, Sam suddenly lets out his emotions about how much he misses his deceased wife and how difficult it is for him to sleep at night. Hence, he is given the name of "Sleepless in Seattle" on the show. Annie is deeply moved as she hears him, as are many other women who heard the show. After discussing the show with her friend and coworker Becky (Rosie O'Donnell), Annie is determined to meet Sam, in spite of the fact that she's engaged to Walter and Sam lives 3000 miles away. Annie eventually writes to Sam in care of the radio station (along with several other hundred women who had done the same), and tries to rationalize her behavior by seeking more advice from her psychologist brother Dennis (David Hyde Pierce). Thinking that all of the women who have written could be crazy, Sam has no interest in any of them and begins to date the cackling Victoria (Barbara Garrick) after talking with his friend Jay (Rob Reiner); but Jonah likes Annie from the content of her letter and wants his Dad to fly to NYC to meet her on the Empire State Building on Valentine's Day, like in the 1957 film "An Affair to Remember".

"Sleepless in Seattle" is a very engaging and entertaining film, in part because of the touching story, but also because of the fine acting from Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan, Rosie O'Donnell and Ross Malinger. Other memorable characters in the film include Sam's friends Greg (Victor Garber) and Suzy (Rita Wilson); as well as Johan's 8-year-old friend Jessica (Gaby Hoffman), Claire Bennett (Dana Ivey) and the deceased Maggie Abbott Baldwin (Carey Lowell). Memorable scenes in the film include the funeral, Jonah & Sam on the phone with Dr. Fieldstone, Annie listening to the radio, Annie at work with Becky, Annie writing her letter, Annie with Dennis, Annie's trip to Seattle, Annie in NYC with Walter and the closing scenes. The film's wonderful soundtrack includes two songs performed by Jimmy Durante (1893-1980, "As Time Goes By" and "Make Someone Happy"), as well as Gene Autrey's "Back in the Saddle Again", Louis Armstong's performance of "A Kiss to Build a Dream On", and many more. The film received two Oscar nominations for Best Song and Best Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen.

Overall, I rate "Sleepless in Seattle" with 5 out of 5 stars. Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan would perform together again in the 1998 film "You've Got Mail" (which wasn't as good). They also worked together in the 1990 film "Joe Versus the Volcano". David Hyde Pierce went on to play another psychologist shortly thereafter in the very popular 1993-2004 TV series "Frasier", which ironically takes place in Seattle.

Rating:
Summary: the best movie of all time
Review: i absolutley love this movie!!!!!! i can watch it over and over and over again and i never get tired of it!!!! It makes me smile evry time because they finally make it together in the end. and the way that everything comes together in such a coincidental way......

Rating:
Summary: Sleepless is Sensational
Review: Sure its a chickflick, but I really do think Men would like this movie too. Why not? Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan are wonderful together, and this movie really set a tone. A heartwarming movie that makes you want to see it over and over again.

Rating:
Summary: Loving this Lovestory
Review: Tomy and Meg are a total delight in this light and lucsious romantic comedy.

Rating:
Summary: But they haven't met!!
Review: This film did not sweep me away the way it did so many other people. I love romantic comedies, but this one lacks an ingredient that, to me, is essential. Our main characters never meet until the final scene! I simply could not invest any interest in a romance that is clearly simply delusional.

'Sleepless in Seattle' has some fine moments, an excellent supporting cast, and a soundtrack that is used absolutely perfectly. It is a great film to rent, and a wonderful study of it's time. But as a romance, it just didn't convince me. When the two lovers never interact face to face the believability of a true romance suffers.

Rating:
Summary: The Best Movie For Anyone In Love
Review: This is a small message I wrote on a message board, and I felt like sharing this with all of you, because I don't think I can write my own review for the movie right now after having expressed myself.

This movie, is truly, for anyone who's in love, and needs to know if it's true.

(Yesterday) I was feeling depressed throughout the day. I'm sure some of you know about my situation - I'm in love with this person, and I know it's love for sure, but I just don't know how to express myself. I was able to say "Hi" to this person of Friday, and I got my own "Hello" back. The moment when we saw face to face and our eyes met - it was just overwhelming. I'm sure that some of you are probably thinking 'This kid's 15 - he doesn't know the true meaning of love!' - but I say different. I've been having to deal with this situation for a few weeks now, and after watching Sleepless In Seattle, I've come to realize that I'm truly in love. Some of the things Annie (Meg Ryan), Sam (Tom Hanks), and Jonah (the son) did drove me to tears - they even drove me to laughter, like when Annie jumped out of bed to go downstairs, get the phone and the radio, and hide in the broom closet so she could listen to Jonah on the radio.

What made it so special to me, is that even though you may think you're in love, chances are, you're really not, and you're still trying to find that special someone for you. Well, since Jonah had called in to that radio station and Annie suddenly found herself interested by this whole situation, Annie began to do crazy things, which in the end, weren't crazy at all. She told lies to her fiance so she could go to Seattle and see Sam and Jonah. When she first got off the plane, the chemistry between Annie and Sam really showed - even more so when they encountered each other at the street where Annie was almost hit by a semi, and almost by a taxi. The chemistry they had, and Annie's feelings for Sam really got to me. It showed me that I am in love, and that it's for certain. Sure, things may not work out for me, but I know I'll still be happy, being able to see this person for the rest of the year - and who knows, maybe even the next two. Maybe even after I get out of High School.

Anyway, I felt like sharing this with you all, because this is truly a wonderful movie for anyone who's in love, and is sure it's real. I'm feeling really choked up now. Hopefully I won't feel so insecure anymore - really, being who you are, makes you who you are. Chances are, the one who's meant for you may be closer than you think. Even though they may be so far away, you'll still have these true feelings inside. I'm going to bed in awhile, but I'll be checking back before I do, and throughout the following days.

I love what it says on the DVD box.

What if someone you never met,
someone you never saw,
someone you never knew,
was the only someone for you?

It just goes to show that even though we may not think it's possible, there's always the possibility that there's true love out there. No matter how close, or how far away it may be.

And that love can find you at any time. <-- A friend, who I told this to, said that should also be on the DVD box.

I hope you all enjoyed reading this as much as I did writing it. Goodnight, everyone, from Sleepless In El Paso.

Josh

Rating:
Summary: A GREAT ROMANCE MOVIE
Review: This is a great movie. IT's the perfect chick flick. I must have watched it at least a dozen times. Rosie O'Donnell was in it and she is soooo funny. I wish she was my friend.

LISA

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Wonderful Movie
Review: The person who wrote the review titled "Bearable but that's it" has no heart. This story is sweet. My wife and I have watched this movie at least twenty times and we will never grow tired of it. Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan are two of the best and brightest that Hollywood has ever had. They both shine in this movie.