Sunday Afternoon Movie: A Tribute to Nora Ephron

The tragic news of Filmmaker and author Nora Ephron’s passing early this week was a sad day in Hollywood. The celebrated writer/director had been battling acute myeloid leukaemia for some time.

The three time Oscar nomine wrote classic romantic comedies such as When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle as well as 2009’s Julie and Julia. She reunited Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan for You’ve Got Mail. Since her death, many of the actors she has worked with over the years have stepped forward to offer their tributes;

Billy Crystal said “I am very sad to learn of Nora’s passing. She was a brilliant writer and humorist. Being her Harry to Meg’s Sally will always have a special place in my heart. I was very lucky to get to say her words.”

Tom Hanks told E! News; “At a dinner table and on a film set she lifted us all with wisdom and wit mixed with love for us and love for life. Rita (Wilson) and I are so very sad to lose our friend who brought so much joy to all who were lucky enough to know her.”

Steve Martin tweeted “She was the one you wanted to read, to listen to, to be in the company of. Nora Ephron. Incomparable wit; delightful friend. Sadness reigns”

Many of her films are perfect choices for Sunday afternoon viewing, humorous stories filled with a light-hearted touch. To some directors having your work labelled gentle, easy-going and non-demanding might seem like an insult, but Ephron’s work never tried to be anything other than it was. The soul purpose for her work was to raise a smile, create romantic stories that have become evergreen movies passed down to the next generation.

Like every director Ephron made a couple of duds, Mixed Nuts and the big screen version of Bewitched and angel comedy Michael stand as rare lapses in judgement in a career filled with heart warming comedies.

Rest in peace Nora, you will be missed.

“I love that you get cold when it’s 71 degrees out. I love that it takes you an hour and a half to order a sandwich. I love that you get a little crinkle above your nose when you’re looking at me like I’m nuts. I love that after I spend the day with you, I can still smell your perfume on my clothes. And I love that you are the last person I want to talk to before I go to sleep at night. And it’s not because I’m lonely, and it’s not because it’s New Year’s Eve. I came here tonight because when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.”

― “When Harry Met Sally”