Recently ranked as the tenth best romantic comedy by the American Film Institute (AFI), the 1993 hit film Sleepless in Seattle was nominated for two Academy Awards: best music (original song) and best writing (screenplay written directly for the screen).
Tom Hanks: Finding the Right Woman
Since his wife died of cancer, lonely Seattle, Washington, widower Sam Baldwin (Tom Hanks) sleepwalks through life with no real purpose, other than caring for his young son Jonah (Ross Malinger). Prodded by friends to date again, he gives it a half-hearted try, although his first marriage had been so happy that he doubts he can ever find that kind of love again.
One night, Jonah calls a national radio talk show and tells the host about his father’s situation. Under the call-in name “Sleepless in Seattle,” Sam confides that he would marry again, if only he could find the right woman. Neither Jonah nor Sam fully realize at the time that their story is being broadcast across the United States for everyone to hear.
Meg Ryan: Finding the Right Man
Baltimore, Maryland, newspaper reporter Annie Reed (Meg Ryan) is already engaged to be married when she hears Sam on the radio. Intrigued by his plight and touched by his sincerity, she decides to write an article about his situation. Encouraged by her editor and best friend (Rosie O’Donnell), Annie makes it her personal mission to meet “Sleepless in Seattle” and see if he’s as wonderful in person as he is on the radio.
After corresponding with Jonah (believing it to be Sam), Annie writes a letter suggesting they meet on top of the Empire State Building in Manhattan on Valentine’s Day like the lovers do in the 1957 film An Affair to Remember. In New York on February 14 for her bridal registry, Annie hesitates between marrying her fiancé (Bill Pullman) or searching the roof of the Empire State Building for her one-and-only chance to meet Sam.
Although a well-made movie with heart-felt performances throughout, viewers craving immediate satisfaction should look elsewhere. The wistful romantic comedy Sleepless in Seattle makes the characters – and the audience – wait a very long time to get what they want.
- Sleepless in Seattle (10th Anniversary Edition 2003)
- Starring Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan, Bill Pullman, Rosie O'Donnell, Rita Wilson, Carey Lowell, David Hyde Pierce, Rob Reiner
- Director: Nora Ephron
- Run Time: 105 minutes
- Rating: PG
- DVD Bonus Features Include: Audio Commentary with Nora Ephron and associate producer and writer Delia Ephron; “Love in the Movies” Featurette; Music Video for “When I Fall in Love” by Celine Dion and Clive Griffin; Talent File Filmographies; Theatrical Trailers; Subtitles in Chinese, English, Korean, Thai.
For more information about AFI’s top 10 romantic comedy selections, read Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday and Cher, Nicolas Cage in Moonstruck.
Leslie C. Halpern - Leslie C. Halpern, Romantic Films/Comedies Topic Editor, authored Passionate About Their Work, Reel Romance, & Dreams on Film.
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