The Movie Headquarters

Watch it Here at : Sleepless in Seattle CD1 and Sleepless in Seattle CD2

Sleepless in Seattle is a 1993 movie, directed by Nora Ephron, based on the story by Jeff Arch. Sam Baldwin (as played by a youthful Tom Hanks), a Chicago architect, has just lost his wife to cancer and decides he needs a complete change of scene. He and his eight-year old son Jonah move to Seattle but Jonah thinks that his father needs a new wife in order to get his life back on track. One evening, he calls into a national radio advice talk show and persuades his father to go on the air. The voice (and call) is heard by thousands of women across the nation, including Annie Reed (as played by the beautiful Meg Ryan), a journalist from Baltimore, Maryland. Annie, although engaged to be married to Walter, can't rest until she meets Sam, which she eventually does, at the top of the Empire State Building in New York City. Sleepless in Seattle was nominated for two 1994 Academy Awards: Best Music, Original Song for "A Wink and a Smile", music by Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Ramsey McLean; and Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen for Nora Ephron, David S. Ward, and Jeff Arch. The film is essentially a reworking of "An Affair to Remember", using both its theme song and clips from the film in critical scenes as well as the meeting at the Empire State Building. At one point, some of the characters discuss the film, with Sam commenting that it sounds like a "chick movie." The success of Sleepless in Seattle led to a resurgence in popularity for "An Affair to Remember" to a younger generation of filmgoers.



Starring:
Tom Hanks: Sam Baldwin
Meg Ryan: Annie Reed
Bill Pullman: Walter
Ross Malinger: Jonah Baldwin
Rosie O'Donnell: Becky
Gaby Hoffmann: Jessica
Victor Garber: Greg
Rita Wilson: Suzy
Barbara Garrick: Victoria
Carey Lowell: Maggie Abbott Baldwin
David Hyde Pierce: Dennis Reed
Dana Ivey: Claire Bennett
Rob Reiner: Jay

This is a truly well done film. Although the lead characters do not even meet (properly) before the final scene, Nora Ephron does a terrific job bringing together two different plots into one remarkable movie. Tom Hanks does a great job as Sam Baldwin in every possible connotation of the word "great". But the true star of this timeless classic is Meg Ryan, combining her stunning looks and quirky acting personality into the character of Annie Reed, my personal favourite character of all time (that's saying something). Jonah and his friend Jessica, although supporting actors, add a great deal to this movie in their interactions with each other, Sam, and Annie. The character of Walter is the greatest point of dissagreement among film critics. Some believe he adds a great deal of uniqueness to the film in not being the typical, abnoxious significant other that muct be gotten rid of before true love can be found by the lead. Others believe that his character adds a bit of maliciousness to the otherwise angelic personality of Annie in how she leaves him because of some childish obsession with fate and a man that she had never even met. My personal oppinion is largely that of the former; Annie's grace and infallible beauty are so great I would still absolutely adore her even if she killed the entire cast (morbid, but still true). Although the cast and the film itself have many detractors worldwide (mostly ignorant neanderthalic males), this movie tops the list of man's greatest achievements, just ahead of fire, the wheel, flight, and electricity (well, actually far ahead of the other four). If you have not seen this movie, I guarentee that your life is not complete.

Now on the the practicle reasons why I'm obsessed with this film. Keep in mind, some of my reasons may not be rational, and thus thats why it is called obsession. 1) Meg Ryan is at her most beautiful in this film no doubt, but its more than that. I've found myself watching this film continuously on loop for 46+ hours, just watching Annie. Call it weird, but its true, there is something "magical" about her. 2) Tom Hanks adapted a personality to a character that for once did not go overboard. Not for one moment did I realize I was watching Tom Hanks, I truly believed I was wagtching a man named Sam Baldwin that had lost his wife a year and a half ago. 3) Call me crazy but I can think of no better place for a romance than Seattle, something about it's weather makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. 4) This is the only setting in which Rosie O'Donnell does not annoy me half to death. 5) Every time I see this film, it prompts me to see "When Harry Met Sally", "You'e Got Mail", and "The Green Mile". These top off (along with "Sleepless in Seattle" of course) my list of the four greatest achievements in filmography.

Trivia:

• A pre-"Seinfeld" reference to the real-life "Soup Nazi": A male journalist is speaking as Annie Reed enters an office at her newspaper, saying, "...he's the meanest guy in the world, but he makes the best soup you've ever eaten."
  
• This film's director (Nora Ephron) wrote "When Harry Met Sally", which also starred Meg Ryan, and was directed by Rob Reiner, who appears in "Sleepless in Seattle".
  
• Parker Posey was originally cast in the movie but later cut. She appeared with Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks years later in "You've Got Mail".
  
• The silhouette of the couple on the box of chocolates in a shop window outside Annie's house is, in fact, a silhouette of Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan.
  
• Kim Basinger was also offered the role of Annie in the early script process, but turned it down because she thought the premise was ridiculous. Dennis Quaid was also considered for the male lead.
  
• Obvious references to "An Affair to Remember".
  
• Jason Schwartzman auditioned for the role of Jonah Baldwin.
  
• Original director was slated to be Garry Marshall.
  
• Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks share approximately two minutes screen time together.
  
• The airplane scenes are actually shot at the Boeing plant in Renton, Washington - inside the actual sales mock-ups.
  
• The role of Annie was originally offered to Julia Roberts , who turned it down.
  
• Mary Kelly was the name Sam Baldwin gave as the eighth girl he "made it with" in college. Mary A. Kelly is the Script Supervisor and also played a bit role as the nervous woman on the plane.
  
• The scene between Tom Hanks and Victor Garber crying over the movie "The Dirty Dozen" was completely improvised during the take.