The Sure Thing owes a certain something to It Happened One Night. Which was the first comedy road movie. Was it? No idea. I think one of the earliest road movies I can think of - and I think the Road Movie is a very American construct - despite Europe being a large interconnected land mass it is comprised of several countries, thus (in the old days, anyway) prohibiting free travel, whereas the American land mass is all one country - might be Beggars of Life - must watch that again in a better copy than the shit one I have now.
It's one of John Cusack's earliest roles. (Might also have to watch Class again for a bit of retro nonsense fun.) And his best moment might be when he comes over like a psycho in order to frighten off a lascivious man who has picked up Daphne Zuniga, who seems to have been in a lot of TV movies.
The hilarious clip, by the way, is from 1965 Hercules and the Princess of Troy, which doesn't even merit a Maltin review.
Nora Ephron based Harry on Reiner and co-producer Andrew Scheinman, and Sally on herself and friends; Billy Crystal also became a contributor when he came on. The film does owe a certain something to Annie Hall (old tunes - even shares one song, 'It's Got To Be You' - New York, montages, love story). Harry Connick does some great interpretations of things.
I didn't realise before - and it was part of one of the news stories - that the famous split screen sequence when they're all in bed was actually shot live contemporaneously.
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| Rob's mum! |
And Q tells me that the more realistic unhappy ending was altered (by Billy) when confirmed bachelor Reiner met and fell for his wife-to-be Michele. I can't imagine it ending any other way.
It seems to me that Reiner, as well as I'm sure being a reassuring and friendly presence on set, likes to keep things simple - will - if a conversation scene needs it - just stay on a two shot. Because why break it up? None of this over-the-shoulder shot-reverse-shot stuff. And works with good writers like Aaron Sorkin, William Goldman and Nora Ephron.
One of those romantic dramas that ends on a running-through-the-streets scenes that Cameron referred to so brilliantly in Roadies.
They were both edited by Robert Leighton again and both featured Tracy Reiner in small roles. Barry Sonnenfeld shot it. A Castle Rock production.
Afterwards I imagined Rob being in the room. "Guys, this is so sweet of you watching all my old films, but enough already.... What do you mean you haven't watched A Few Good Men yet??"
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