The 1993 romantic comedy “Sleepless in Seattle” is the quintessential love story from the modern era. Inspired by the 1957 classic “An Affair to Remember,” “Seattle” would serve as a launching point for the mega-stardom of Tom Hanks, who would reel off an unprecedented string of blockbuster performances that carried for the rest of the millennium.
“Destiny is something we’ve invented because we can’t stand the fact that everything that happens is accidental.” The line is uttered by hopeless romantic Annie (Meg Ryan) a reporter for the Baltimore Sun who is engulfed in a loveless relationship. On Christmas Eve, Annie hears a radio talk show that changes the path of her existence.
Across the country, Sam Baldwin (Hanks) struggles with depression as he raises his young son Jonah (Ross Malinger) after the death of Sam’s wife. Sam has taken Jonah from their home in Chicago as a way of escaping the memories of his former love. Some of the initial scenes that introduce us to Sam and Jonah are quite morose. Thankfully, the characters of Sam and Annie each quickly infuse the humor and magic that carries the story.
“Sleepless in Seattle” tells a love tale in a thoroughly unique way. The characters involved are separated by the geography of the entire United States. At the onset they don’t even know each other and while that may seem common in today’s app-swiping social media driven world, in 1993 it was the reliance of talk radio and postman delivered letters to communicate (the good ole days). One of the best scenes you will find in any love story is the Christmas Eve sequence in which Annie first hears Sam on the radio, and though separated by 2700 miles they have an immediate connection.
Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan have been paired together several times, and this is doubtless the most iconic. Each possesses the necessary mixture of comedy and seriousness, with both being realistic in their approaches to life. Hanks can be flawless in an eclectic range of roles and here as a depressed single father who loves his son and misses his wife, he’s super. Meg Ryan can’t be outdone in the role of Annie. She’s a nostalgic romantic who dreams of a passionate moment on the top of the Empire State Building and so adorably charming you’ll want to meet her there.
The settings of Seattle and New York are great to witness. Bill Pullman and Rosie O’Donnell lend supporting roles and each are solid additions. David Hyde Pierce makes a cameo in a pre-Frasier appearance, ironically complaining about the rain in the titular town.
“Sleepless in Seattle” is a great romcom that serves as a comical ’90s flick and a generational piece of the romantic culture and perfect to watch this Valentine’s Day Weekend.
