A great back-to-basics romantic comedy
Happy Valentine’s Day good readers! Since it's the time of year of love and romance what better way to cap it than with a good romantic movie watch. For this one the movie chosen is Sleepless in Seattle starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. This movie from 1993 got suggested by Peach Wookiee. And for those who live in the Pacific Northwest this movie is a sentimental favorite.
Nora Ephron directed this movie. Jeff Arch, David S Ward and Ephron wrote the screenplay for this romantic comedy. Now with all that said let the movie review begin!
The movie opens up at a graveyard in Chicago. Architect Sam Baldwin (Hanks) is explaining to his son about the death of the boy's mother. It’s clear from the get-go the 8-year-old boy played by Ross Malinger and his father are hurting. It seems Maggie Baldwin died from a sudden and unnamed disease. Ooh already this movie is tugging at the heart strings, well played!
Yet when Sam returns to work, he finds the memories of his dead wife are dragging him down. So, he and his son decide to move to Seattle to get a fresh start. Understandable as the sad memories are interfering with his work. And so, Sam takes his son and moves out to the Emerald city for that fresh start.
At the airport as Jonah and Sam are boarding a plane Sam’s sister Suzy Baldwin sees them off. The part of Suzy Baldwin got played by Rita Wilson of Cheers fame.
18 months later the movie introduces Annie Reed. She's a reporter with the Baltimore Sun newspaper. She brings her fiancée Walter to her parents’ home to announce their engagement. Yet it becomes clear that while Walter is a good guy, he’s not the most inspiring of people. And Annie feels there’s something missing from her life.
Oh boy this is an awkward situation.
Something comes up with Annie and her mother Barbara Reed. They talk about how Barbara met Annie’s father. The part of Barbara got played by Le Clance du Rand. When Annie ends up tearing the dress it’s seen as a sign. After that Walter and Annie get into their cars and head off.
Annie turns on the radio and soon tunes into a national syndicated radio program. The program's host is one Dr. Marcia Fieldstone. In this case a little boy is on the line. That little boy is Jonah, and his motivations will become clear soon enough. The voice work for Dr. Marcia Fieldstone got done by Caroline Aaron.
Jonah convinces his father to join him on the phone. Sam finds himself talking about how his wife and he met and how it was the little things that made her special to him. His blunt honesty and sincere thoughts make him an instant hit on Fieldstone’s program. Annie Reed tears up listening to the program. In all honesty who wouldn’t?
Poor Sam and his son have had it rough from an emotional angle.
Sam begins receiving letters from women all over the country as Sleepless in Seattle. In the days that follow Annie decides to write a letter to Sam. She feels that something is missing in her relationship with Walter. After she and her friend and editor Becky watch the 1957 film An Affair to Remember Annie writes a letter to Sam. But after writing it Annie decides to throw it away instead of mailing it.
Rosie O’ Donnell played the part of Becky. Of note this is from back before she went insane.
Annie’s letter states she wants to meet him on the Empire State Building for Valentine’s Day. She threw the letter away because she believes she loves Walter. Even though deep down she feels their relationship lacks something. Emotional conflict, not quite as bad as emotional damage but still ouch! So yeah, she has some conflict of the heart.
Becky sends off her letter when Annie isn’t looking. Even as Annie and Sam continue their lives. In Baltimore Annie and Walter celebrate the new year watching the ball in New York drop. Meanwhile Sam celebrates the new year watching fireworks off the bay. And while at it he has a visit from a vision of his dead wife Maggie.
The part of Maggie Baldwin got played by Carey Lowell.
Poor Sam, he doesn’t want to admit it, but he is lonely. And his son Jonah while inexperienced is not stupid as he can see how lonely his dad is. And he only wants to help his father be happier. Aw, that’s sweet of the little fellow.
Yet as the days go on Annie takes more of an interest in “Sleepless in Seattle”. The irony of the name is Jonah pointed out his father can’t sleep. As stated, kids are not stupid, inexperienced yes, but not stupid.
As the days continue on Annie begins digging into Sleepless in Seattle for what she claims is a story. As this is going on Sam’s life in Seattle continues. A client of his is making the renovation of her house more difficult with last minute changes. Poor Sam has a picky client and can’t catch a break, ouch. Meanwhile Jay Matthews a colleague and fellow worker of Sam’s convinces him to date again.
The part of Jay Matthews got played by Rob Reiner.
As Annie continues her research Sam begins dating again. He starts to date a colleague named Victoria. The part of Victoria got played by Barbara Garrick. As this is going on young Jonah has befriended a girl around his age named Jessica. The part of Jessica got played by Gaby Hoffman.
Jessica has a family member who is a travel agent. The significance of this will come into play later in the movie.
It becomes clear from the start that Jonah does not like Victoria. As he later admits in his words she laughs like a hyena. To be fair, the boy isn’t wrong.
Meanwhile it’s reached the point where Annie has become obsessed with finding out about Sam. So, she actually lies to Walter about going to do a story. In reality she’s heading off to Seattle to find out all she can about Sam.
As Annie's plane lands Victoria is heading off for some work. The irony is it’s right after Victoria leaves that Sam spots Annie coming into SeaTac Airport. For a moment he's mesmerized by her. The look on Tom Hanks' face is priceless! He later admits to a feeling of Deja-vu that came over him.
Later Annie follows Sam and Jonah and sees contrary to the doubts some had Sam is not a monster. If anything, he’s an attentive and very good dad to his son. She watches as he plays with Jonah on the beach. And yet she ends up losing the courage to face them. She promises herself and Becky to do so the next day.
When Annie arrives at Sam’s house she attempts to make contact. Only to see another woman get embraced by Sam and Jonah. Annie is unaware that this isn’t his girlfriend it's his sister Suzy. Annie almost gets run over by a car. Sam runs to see if she’s okay and says “hello.”
Annie is unable to say anything else except “hello,” before she runs away. She heads back to Baltimore believing that going to Seattle was a mistake. She begins trying to convince herself that she loves Walter and she should stick with him. Denying your true feelings isn’t good for you Annie.
Meanwhile Jonah with Jessica’s help manages to get a plane for New York on Valentine’s Day. His intention is to meet Annie, who he likes as a potential mother. The 8-year-old and his father get into an ugly argument. Sam's opposed to meeting anyone from outside of the Seattle area. He even snaps at his son, “Didn’t you see Fatal Attraction,”
To this young Jonah responds, “You wouldn’t let me!”
To be fair in the argument both Sam and Jonah do raise some very valid points.
But as the next day rolls around Sam finds that Jonah is gone. He and Jessica’s parents confront the girl. And they learn the boy is on his way to New York. Being a concerned and attentive father Sam's scared half to death for his son. And so, he books his own flight to New York.
Here's one minor complaint about the movie. How did Jessica and Jonah get away with booking a flight that easy? Yes, I know this is before 9/11 but still one would think that someone might ask some questions here!
Will Annie end up spending the rest of her life with Walter? Will Sam be able to reach his son? And will anything ever come of the spark between Annie and Sam? Without giving away anything all I can say is the ending is a real tearjerker in a good way!
Now what is it about this movie that makes it so good? Well for starters this is a very back to basics movie. No CGI, no massive explosions or special effects. All that’s needed is good storytelling and witty dialogue. That is the essence of movie making.
Tom Hanks as Sam Baldwin shows why he’s had a career that has lasted for over forty years. Meg Ryan as Annie Reed is quirky and yet a very lovable and relatable character. Thus showing why she is a superb actress. This film does her nothing but justice.
Bill Pullman as Walter is sympathetic. He’s doing his best to make Annie happy but it’s clear that there’s no real spark between her and him. Still, he does a very good job as Walter especially with all his allergies.
And finally, Ross Malinger shines as 8-year-old Jonah Baldwin. He’s a good kid who’s only want is for his father to be happy again after his mom died. The problem is being inexperienced he’s not quite sure how to go about it. Which results in some hilarious interactions.
So on the whole, this is a well-done script with wit and warmth. It's a very solid story with a great cast. It’s a reminder that movies don’t always have to be big blockbusters to be successful. Sometimes a back-to-basics approach of characters and a good story work.
The opening and closing themes by Jimmy Durante give this movie a very romantic vibe. This is why Sleepless in Seattle makes for a great valentine’s Day movie. So, in closing Sleepless in Seattle gets a solid A for a good story and great acting performances. Pick up Sleepless in Seattle on DVD, Blu-Ray, 4K, or get it on any streaming service that has it.
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