Day 4: Sleepless in Seattle (1993)

Part II in the unofficial Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan Love Bug Trilogy. Will it hold up to other Hanks classics like 'Saving Private Ryan' or 'Cast Away'? As long as it's better than 'The 'Burbs' I'm game.

Starring: Meg Ryan, Tom Hanks, Rob Reiner
Directed by: Nora Ephron

The Positives:

- Tom Hanks is the most likable actor of all time. You're wrong if you think otherwise. Don't argue.
- "Do you know where Oklahoma is?" "Somewhere in the middle?" "Somewhere in the middle? I'm not even going to think about what they're not teaching you in school." I shouldn't have laughed as hard as I did at that, but dammit if Tom Hanks isn't one funny sonovabitch.
- Matter of fact, Tom Hank's relationship with his son and the witty banter that transpires between the two is my favorite part of the movie. Their talk about sex and cable made me laugh even more than the "Oklahoma" bit.
- Rob Reiner and Tom Hanks also have some pretty great scenes together too.
- Eff it. Tom Hanks carries this film. Not that is necessary a bad thing I suppose.
- Also, there's a 'Paul is Dead' reference in this film. Immediate letter grade bump for that.
- Lastly, Tom Hanks' and Meg Ryan's characters do not actually meet each other until the 1 hour 12 minute mark, which is quite a dynamic for a 105 minute romance movie.

The Negatives:

- "If you're just tuning in, we're talking to Sleepless in Seattle." Ah. There it is.
- There was nothing particularly exciting about Meg Ryan's character. Maybe women would find sneaking behind your fiancee's back while you whine about chasing down a man you have never met heartfelt but I just think she's a lying tramp.
- I can't stand Rosie O'Donnell, let alone her voice.
- There are a handful of romance movies that speaks to any generation that sees them (Annie Hall, (500) Days of Summer, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind... Just to name a few). This isn't one of those movies. Maybe if I was a thirty-five year old widower/divorcee/single dad I'd be more affected, but as an 18 year old college student, the trails and tribulations Ryan and Hanks go through are meaningless to me.

Grade: C-

Well, at least it was better than 'The 'Burbs'. Barely.