Customer Reviews

Sleepless in Seattle 10th Anniversary Edition

5 star:		(54)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

One of the greatest movies ever.
I cry everytime I see it, over a dozen time and I'm a guy.

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.

My wife loves romantic movies, and I am willing to indulge her taste. This is really a movie about romance as depicted by the movies but it is still a romantic movie and something of a classic. It also has the advantage of complying with her high standards for family suitable viewing while still having its own touch of comedy and drama. The acting is great, the plot doesn't require too much suspension of belief, and we both enjoyed it. We are happy to add it to our collection for seeing again as it has both quality and class.

I first watched this movie when it first came out and watched it again this past Valentine's Day. Maybe it's where I am in my life now, but I loved it so much more this time. This is a classic that will be watched over and over again. There is so much substance to this movie that makes many of today's romantic comedies shallow. I will be watching this every year on Valentine's Day.

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.

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

This one's a gem, it's hard not to think of it as a more mature version of "Billboard Dad", which has the same broad concept of a young boy trying to play matchmaker for his widowed dad but is aimed at a younger audience.

It pays considerable homage to the classic "Affair to Remember", both in the overall story, especially the final scene at the Empire State Building, plus "Affair" is clearly shown to be the the favorite movie of many of the characters, especially the secondary characters and even extras. And of course the gripping part of the story is, will Sam and Annie ever actually meet (again, paralleling the older movie)?

I first saw this movie when I was in college with my roomate, who knows all the best movies out there. I absolutely fell in love with it, and I went out and bought it immediately. It's ideal if you are single, it gives you hope for finding that perfect someone :), at least it did for me. If you like You've Got Mail, you'll also like Sleepless in Seattle, or if you haven't seen either, they go perfect together!!

WOW! I LOVE this movie! It's a favorite of all my families. I think this is a great love story and almost anyone would enjoy it.

As a rule, I like romantic comedies. But even I can admit that most of the time, the plots are somewhat lacking, if not out-and-out "redos" of some other movie. However, not so with this movie; the storyline here a unique and charming twist. Before I begin gushing, I'll discuss the one issue I had with this movie: the sexual references. Totally inappropriate coming out of the mouth of an 8-yr old, and not what I would expect of a PG movie.

Having said that, the story, if somewhat implausible, was definitely engaging. Tom Hanks will break your heart as Sam, a widowed father trying to put the pieces of his life together--working hard to be a good father while depending on his son to help him "get out of bed in the morning, & breathe in & out all day".

Meg Ryan is always charming (well, except for in Top Gun), but Annie is probably her most charming role. Her struggle between a stable, predictable life with her soon to be husband and what she begins to perceive as her "destiny" culminates with a trip to the Empire State Building and a very touching scene as Annie hits it off with Josh who badly needs a mother's love.

The ties it makes to "An Affair to Remember" add a humorous sentimentality to this movie, but in no way "copy" the plot of the old classic. In fact, these scenes poke gentle fun at the movie, without being disrespectful or harsh.

Not necessarily a classic itself, but all in all a really good flick!