I apologize, I promised I’d review “There will be Blood” this week. Not to worry, it will happen in January. In the meantime, go rent it. Great movie! To readers that know this film, you already know the best scene
I apologize, I promised I’d review “There will be Blood” this week. Not to worry, it will happen in January. In the meantime, go rent it. Great movie!
To readers that know this film, you already know the best scene and how it is forever etched in Film History. This film holds great significance because it was the first time a director tackled the age-old, time-less subject of “Can men and women be friends?”. This is not dear Abby, so put away your thoughts of ex’s or friendly fantasies about that girl who shut you down. In this film director Rob Reiner (“Stand by Me”) goes to the heart of the question I believe we all wonder. At certain ages or spaces in our live, sure. We can be friends, but how long must we know the opposite sector before biology doesn’t interfere.
The story is very simple, Harry (Billy Crystal) meets Sally (Meg Ryan) and the film follows their friendship through the course of a decade or more. They lose touch, they’re close, they’re not. They have friendly dates, they fight. They’re essentially a male and female in love, but do they know it? I think we all have that one special someone who got away, someone who hurt us, someone who showed us what friendship is; but did we ever stop and think of the consequences of that relationship? I know I didn’t. This is what the movie examines so well. I’m not being negative towards males or females; but an indisputable, chemical change happens between male and female friends. I believe one of them always wants it to be more. OK, I won’t generalize.
I want to, but won’t speak from specific personal experience (one of my best friends is a female). However, I notice a pattern where a BF or GF gets jealous and what makes this film so fun is there is none of that. We can enjoy the comedy and wonderful performances without the distraction. This is one of my favorite Billy Crystal movies (he and the director are child-hood friends) and Meg Ryan steals the show with the scene I mentioned in my opening paragraph. This film also showcases the wonderful talent (outside of being Princess Leia) of Carrie Fisher and the late-great comedic actor Bruno Kirby (“Good Morning Vietnam”).
The film ended a decade of cinema that was run by the teen genre, horror and great dramatic films. The movies were changing as we headed into the ‘90s with box-office being even more important then ever and FX becoming what audiences wanted all the time. “When Harry Met Sally” is one of the last great “truly” romantic comedies (aside from “Sleepless in Seattle”; but “sleepless” is the same writer as “Sally”). The film is romantic and humorous and pulls no punches.
I selected this film, because the ending ties into New Years Eve and this is a feel good movie. I think we all need that after a 2010 that might have been rough for many.
On Jan. 5 at 6:30 p.m. come out to the Lihu‘e Library Film Club for a presentation of professional, award-winning short films that have played film festivals around the country. A selection of comedy, drama, claymation, horror and action will be screened with films from Los Angeles, Sacramento, Vancouver and Honolulu. Call 241-3222 for more information.
Year: 1989
Director: Rob Reiner
Starring: Billy Crystal, Meg Ryan, Carrie Fisher
1. Stand By Me (1986)
2. Misery (1990)
3. A Few Good Men (1994)
4. The Bucket List (2006)
5. This is Spinal Tap (1984)
6. The Story of Us (1999)
8. Ghosts of Mississppi (1996)
9. Rumor has It (2007)
10. Flipped (2010)
