Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan is a superb acting combination. This wonderful romantic comedy is is highly recommended viewing

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Product Description

Sam Baldwin (Tom Hanks) is a good father and a successful architect. But he's also a lonely widower. One night his precocious 8-year-old son Jonah calls a late-night radio talk show seeking a cure for his father's despondency. When Sam hesitantly takes the phone and discloses the story of his magic-filled marriage, he proves to be a deeply feeling and gentle man. His plight profoundly moves the program's sympathetic female listeners, and thousands of women write in offering to help him `recover' from his mournful insomnia. Recently betrothed Annie Reed (Meg Ryan) is one of the many listeners touched by Sam's story. To complicate matters, she's afraid her upcoming marriage promises stability and security but no excitement. Although Annie's supposed to be driving to her future in-laws' house for the holidays, she knows that she's already fallen in love with Sam and is on the road to destiny. Academy Award Nominations: Best (Original) Screenplay, Best Song ("A Wink and a Smile").

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1644 in DVD
• Brand: Sony
• Released on: 2003-10-07
• Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
• Formats: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, Full Screen, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: English, Chinese, Thai
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: 1.00 pounds
• Running time: 105 minutes

From The New Yorker
A romantic comedy, of sorts. The romance is airy and distant, because the lovers never meet until the final scene, and the comedy is kind of wistful, because it was directed by Nora Ephron. She is still a writer at heart, and it shows-there are scenes here that linger well past their bedtime, all for the sake of a few good lines. Tom Hanks plays Sam, left miserable by the death of his wife, with only his young son, Jonah (Ross Malinger), to console him. The consolation goes a bit far; Jonah rings up a radio talk show to say that his dad needs love (this is almost unwatchable, but grit your teeth and stay with it). Many listeners melt with sympathy, none more so than Annie (Meg Ryan), in Baltimore, shortly to be married and none too happy about it. For the rest of the movie, fate-and Jonah-do their best to bring the couple together, despite the continent that divides them. The result is sweet and moody, and richly photographed by Sven Nykvist, but you can't help feeling shortchanged; Hanks and Ryan have quick wits, and funny faces to match-they should be striking sparks off each other, not mooching around waiting for something to happen. Hanks has a few goofy outbursts, and there is lively backup from Rosie O'Donnell and Rob Reiner as helpful friends, but anyone expecting another "When Harry Met Sally ...'' will be disappointed. At least Harry met Sally. -Anthony Lane
Copyright © 2006 The New Yorker

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Customer Reviews

Sleepless in Seattle
The synopsis ...
Sam and Jonah Baldwin, father and son, have lost the most important woman in their lives to cancer. Seeking to escape from the painful memories that lurk in every nook and cranny of Chicago, they move to Seattle. Eighteen months later, Jonah can sense that his dad is still sad; and, in desperation calls a nationally syndicated radio self-help guru on Christmas Eve to wish for his father a new wife. Annie Reed lives in Baltimore and is engaged to Walter. Their relationship, while loving and comfortable, is entirely devoid of romantic sparks. When Annie hears Jonah's soulful plea on the radio, it's as if her heart has been touched by "magic" and she is determined to find out why she feels so powerfully drawn to Sam and his son ... even if it means traveling across "like 26 states".

The critique ...
Sleepless in Seattle is a brilliantly simple film; that's what makes it so great. To quote Nora Ephron, "It isn't a movie about love, it's a movie about love in the movies." To emphasize this point, she incorporates various parallel references to "An Affair to Remember" throughout the film; but, Sleepless is also a movie about our genuine romantic fantasies and sentimental ideals about falling in love (which, let's admit it, have been undeniably shaped by what we've seen on the silver screen). The script is refreshingly candid, yet endearing and Nora Ephron's direction is impeccable. Ross Malinger, cast as Jonah Baldwin, is the youngest and most notable talent in the film. He does an excellent job of portraying THE quintessential eight-year-old; he's impulsive, moody and thinks he knows it all. (I speak from experience here folks; I currently have a son that age.) He and Tom Hanks come together flawlessly as father and son; so successfully in fact, that they would be utterly convincing off screen. The chemistry between Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks is equally amazing, which is no small achievement considering the fact that they rarely appear together in a scene. The supporting cast is brimming with talent and includes Rosie O'Donnell, Bill Pullman, Rita Wilson, Rob Reiner, David Hyde Pierce, and a young Gaby Hoffmann. Families with younger children will appreciate the film's integrity; there is very little foul language ("God damn it" and " ... it scared the shit out of me ..." being the worst of it) and no "sexual content" to be wary of. All around, this is a winning film. One that I find myself watching over and over and over again.

The DVD ...
For a 10th Anniversary Edition, the special features are few and rather disappointing. You've got your basic director commentary, a music video ("When I Fall in Love" by Celine Dion & Clive Griffin), and a "Love in the Movies" Featurette. This last piece is approximately 15 minutes long. It features the director, producers, actors and the hosts of Loveline: Drew Pinsky and Adam Carolla (why they are included, I don't know) talking about "Love in the Movies." There are some interesting interview segments with an Empire State Building Historian and some very beautiful shots of the New York skyline before 9/11; but there's certainly nothing here to write home about. By far, the most exciting feature is that you can choose your aspect ratio. (And honestly, how exciting is that?) This a DVD that you buy for the film alone.

Christmas Magic
Some people have songs, my husband and I have a movie. We not only met in Seattle, my husband lived next to Lake Union, very close to where this movie was made. He actually saw them filming scenes from the movie.

You could say the roles were a bit reversed, being I was the one getting over a relationship and he was not really looking at the time. Having lived in Seattle for many years, I especially enjoyed seeing scenes from Pike Place Market and West Seattle.

Rosie O'Donnell adds to the wit with lines like: "You want to be in love in a movie." Tom Hanks gives a sensitive performance as Sam who lost the love of his life. He and his son Jonah, live on Lake Union. Annie (Meg Ryan) is caught up with plans for her wedding. She is engaged and not looking for love. Yet, as it so often happens, love does appear when you are not looking.

One night Annie hears a radio show where Jonah has called in to ask how his father could find a new wife. The radio host invites Sam to reveal his heart and Annie literally cries when he says how his wife used to make everything in his life beautiful. She makes a connection and starts fantasizing about a man she has never met.

The songs are masterfully woven into the story and provides a feeling of old fashioned romance, where destiny draws two lovers to one another. There is also a sense of family and how everyone has needs and desires. Jonah especially wants a mother. Annie and Sam don't really know what they want, but they do get what they need. I found that very true to life.

Wit, chemistry, laugh-out-loud humor and romance, romance, romance! Worth watching at least once a year during the holiday season!

Dreamy!

~The Rebecca Review

Sleepless in Seattle
This is a wonderful timeless romantic drama. Annie Reed is heading to see her family on Christmas Eve and is listening to a radio call in show. One of the callers is eight year old Jonah who tells the audience that his dad needs a new wife. After it comes out that Jonah's mom died, and dad Sam is put on the spot to talk to the radio shrink on air, women all over the country fall in love with this man that loved his deceased wife so passionately. Annie is determined to meet Sam because she feels a strong pull toward Sam and Jonah. When they meet, destiny is forged. This well acted film starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan closely follows another beloved classic An Affair to Remember. There are some funny moments, but it is the drama that captures the audience. It reiterates the old saying that love conquers all.