Sleepless in Seattle
Sleepless in Seattle is a romantic comedy about a widowed man whose story is broadcast over national radio starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. Filmed primarily in Maryland and Washington, Sleepless in Seattle was nominated for 2 Oscars, Best Writing and Best Music. Director Nora Ephron loved using Meg Ryan as the pair teamed up previously in When Harry Met Sally (1989 with Billy Crystal) and later in You’ve Got Mail (1998 with Tom Hanks) and Hanging Up (2000 with Diane Keaton). This comedy is also smartly written and well paced, as the two leads and their ensemble of friends and family poke fun at each other while going about their work and lives. Watch for characters talking at the same time, a guest at a dinner party, and Hank’s character’s son’s language as Ephron captures what a dating life is like in the early 1990’s. Hanks has moments of parental or comedic outbursts but clearly showed he is capable of reining it in for a more dramatic touch and Ryan balances the laughs with an amazing delivery of crying. Touching on themes of destiny, parallels, and fate, the film also pays respect to an older film, New York, and the magic of love.
1993, PG, 1h 45m
Distributor – TriStar
Budget – $21 million
Cast & Crew
Director Nora Ephron previously wrote and directed This Is My Life (1992 drama with Julie Kavner who also voices Marge Simpson in The Simpsons), and next wrote and directed Mixed Nuts (1994 comedy with Steve Martin), and Michael (1996 fantasy comedy with John Travolta). Ephron co-wrote Sleepless in Seattle with David S. Ward (who previously wrote and directed Major League, 1989 sports comedy with Tom Berenger), and Jeff Arch (who next wrote Iron Will, 1994 adventure with Kevin Spacey). Tom Hanks was previously in A League of Their Own (1992 sports comedy with Geena Davis) and would next win an Oscar for his lead role in Philadelphia (1993 drama with Denzel Washington). Meg Ryan was previously in Prelude to a Kiss (1992 fantasy comedy with Alec Baldwin) and would next be in Flesh and Bone (1993 drama mystery with Dennis Quaid). Also appearing are Rita Wilson, Bill Pullman, David Hyde Pierce, Rosie O’Donnell, and Rob Reiner.
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