If you like to read for fun, inspiration, comfort, education, enlightenment, or to challenge the way you think, you’ve probably experienced the phenomenon where the kind of or specific book you’ve been seeking finds you when you need it. Up until tonight, I hadn’t seriously considered how this scenario could apply to movies. Objectively, I know it does, but subjectively, I hadn’t really thought about it.
But then I watched When Harry Met Sally (Rob Reiner, 1989) for the first time ever and realized that I would never have appreciated it at any earlier point in my existence. I’ve liked other films that Rob Reiner directed and Nora Ephron wrote (and directed), but this one just never piqued my curiosity. I don’t think I could have appreciated truly the writing or Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan‘s performances because my younger self wanted romantic comedies to be formulaically more like Only You (Norman Jewison, 1994) and Serendipity (Peter Chelsom, 2001) — very goal-oriented not contemplation-and-chemistry-oriented. I didn’t want romance films to discuss cleverly and profoundly that falling for someone entails more than physical chemistry or emotional safety; it also involves recognizing and accepting all the small habits and preferences a person has that might otherwise repel you.
I was also pleasantly surprised at the football scene with just one snap, a complete pass from quarterback to tight end, and a tackle. According to IMDB, some of this scene was filmed at Giants Stadium, Meadowlands Sports Complex in New Jersey in the autumn of 1988. The film’s end credits include the producers thanking The Buffalo Bill Football Organization and NFL Films. My educated guess is that NFL Films provided the few seconds of football gameplay where Giants tight-end Mike Bavaro catches the ball and then gets tackled (in case you’re curious, here’s the 1988 New York Giants roster). Why was The Buffalo Bill Football Organization thanked? Probably because of this bit of trivia.
I watched When Harry Met Sally on DVD. It has so many special features and interviews that I’ve barely begun to watch. It also has an audio commentary with the director, the writer, and Billy Crystal.
RIP, Rob Reiner.
Pic creds: IMDB, YouTube screengrab
Sitting Pugs: Sports Movies 