Jeff Arch came up with satisfying, referential story which he, Ephron and David Ward (Steelyard Blues and The Sting) wrote for the screen, earning an Oscar nomination. Opens with Jimmy Durante singing 'As Time Goes By', much reference to An Affair To Remember. Ross Malinger (contrary to my expectations, still acting - I was expecting him to be a CEO or somesuch) is Tom Hanks' son; Meg Ryan is clearly with the wrong bloke, wimpy Bill Pullman. With Rita Wilson, David Hyde Pierce.
It's a wonderful film.
Love the long scene in the car with Meg listening (and reacting) to the radio interview with Hanks and Malinger (the interviewer is Caroline Aaron). This is the highlight of the film, Aaron being a great vocal presence. She's Shirley in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and lots and lots of TV, as well as Deconstructing Harry. The editing is especially good (Robert Reitano) as initially we're just on Meg, goofing along to, then getting sucked into the radio. Only then do we cut to the kid and Hanks, then bringing Meg back in just as you're forgetting she's listening in...
'Is it a bit sexist?' I have thought. 'Men are allowed to love An Affair to Remember'. But then I was 30 when this came out, and was probably more interested in watching a Lethal Weapon or spaghetti western then, and McCarey's film probably would not have beckoned - tastes change. But, no matter what you say about the film overall, those last two minutes are electrifying. Note faces of Ryan and Hanks when they do finally meet atop the Empire State Building, even as they're walking in to the lift, curious, exploratory faces...
Most impressive photography by Sven Nykvist. Jeff Cronenweth is his first assistant.
I thought it showed Hanks as a generous actor, letting the kid have his scenes.. That may be true, but I later found out Hanks was in a right sulk throughout, thinking the kid had all the best lines!
Meg Ryan's mum is payed by Le Clanché du Rand, a South African. It's a pretentious name, I feel. Have to name check Sidney Armus, on information desk at Empire State Building, and John Boylan as the aging elevator man (he was in Twin Peaks). Whether that's actually Hanks (or Rob Reiner) doing Cary Grant I couldn't track down, but whoever did it, it's very good! Ross Malinger's GF is Gaby Hoffman from Uncle Buck, or UB as she would put it.
In the gallery of great songs, that's Joe Cocker doing 'Bye Bye Blackbird'.
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