We asked people to name their favorite Rob Reiner movie. Here
Rob Reiner, the celebrated comedy icon who starred in “All in the Family” and later became known for directing iconic films such as “The Princess Bride,” “When Harry Met Sally” and “This is Spinal Tap,” died Sunday. He was 78 years old.
Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer, were found dead in their Los Angeles home from apparent stab wounds. Reiner’s son Nick, 32, was arrested Monday after the deaths.
Reiner is the son of comedy legend Carl Reiner, but he made a name for himself as a Hollywood writer and director who directed incredibly timeless, hilarious and heartfelt films.
The actor landed a breakout role in 1971 in Norman Lear’s “All in the Family” when he was 23, as Archie Bunker’s son-in-law, Michael “Meathead” Stivic. In 1984, he made his directorial debut with “This Is Spinal Tap,” a cult classic that became a seminal film for the mockumentary genre. In 1992 he directed “A Few Good Men,” written by Aaron Sorkin and starring Demi Moore, Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson, among other notable names. The director also adapted two novels by author Stephen King into films: “Misery” and “Stand By Me.” His production company, Castle Rock Entertainment, was behind “Seinfeld,” “The Shawshank Redemption” and “Miss Congeniality.”
We asked News readers to tell us their favorite Reiner movies. The responses are heartwarming and relatable.
Although it is not a movie, we cannot talk about Reiner without talking about “All in the Family.” To many fans, Reiner will always be known as “Meathead,” the “All in the Family” role that kicked his career into overdrive. He starred alongside Gloria (Sally Struthers) in the role of a young liberal who always went head to head with Archie Bunker (Carroll O’Connor). In real life, Reiner was a strong supporter of the Democratic Party and has been hailed for having “a deep belief in the goodness of people and a lifelong commitment to putting that belief into action,” former President Barack Obama said in a statement.
“All in the Family” is streaming for free on Tubi and Pluto TV.
‘When Harry Met Sally’
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Reiner’s mother, Estelle, had a brief appearance in “When Harry Met Sally,” the romantic comedy by Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal, directed by Reiner. His quick one-liner became an iconic pop culture quote. “I’ll have what she’s having,” he says at Katz’s Delicatessen after the moment of Ryan’s fake orgasm. The film is very loosely based on the friendship between Reiner and writer-director Nora Ephron, who wrote the screenplay. Reiner told People in 2019 that they changed the ending of the film once he fell in love with his wife, Michele.
“When Harry Met Sally” airs on Starz.
‘The Princess Bride’
“The Princess Bride” has become a beloved cult classic since its release in 1987. The comedy is an adaptation of the novel by William Goldman. Reiner said that no one in Hollywood wanted to make the film, but eventually television legend Norman Lear helped him finance the project.
“The Princess Bride” is streaming on Hulu and Disney+.
‘Stay by my side’
The 1986 coming-of-age drama is based on Stephen King’s novel, “The Body,” and stars several young stars, including Will Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman and Jerry O’Connell. It is praised for its depiction of a defining moment in children’s lives.
“It was the first time I did something that was closely related to my own personality,” Reiner told Variety in 2016. “There was some melancholy and also some humor. It was more reflective and I thought, if people don’t like this, they’re not going to like what I like to do.”
“Stand By Me” is streaming on Netflix.
‘This is a lumbar puncture’
Aaron Rapoport via Getty Images
“The Is Spinal Tap” is streaming on HBO Max.
‘The American President’
Reiner teamed with screenwriter Aaron Sorkin, again after “A Few Good Men,” for this political romantic comedy starring Annette Bening and Michael Douglas. Reiner, who is no stranger to speaking his mind about American politics, has previously criticized President Donald Trump for being “mentally incapable” of serving as the country’s leader. On Monday, Trump blamed Reiner for his own death on the social media platform Truth Social.
“I think people should watch the movie and see what a real democracy can be,” Reiner told CineMontage magazine in October 2020. “The story is about creating a more perfect union. As a country, we are not perfect, and President Andrew Shepherd [Michael Douglas] It’s not perfect. But he fights for a more perfect union. And that’s what we should all strive for. “People should watch the movie and maybe it will inspire them.”
“The American President” is available to rent on Prime Video, Google Play, YouTube and Apple TV.
‘Ghosts of Mississippi’
“Ghosts of Mississippi” is based on the true events of the 1994 trial of Byron de la Beckwith (James Woods), who in 1963 murdered civil rights activist Medgar Evers (James Pickens Jr.). Whoopi Goldberg plays Myrlie Evers, Medgar’s wife who wouldn’t stop until De la Beckwith was convicted; Alec Baldwin is Bobby DeLaughter, an assistant district attorney prosecuting the case.
“It was a very shocking and disturbing incident that was talked about a lot in my home and in the circles I moved in,” Reiner said of Evers’ murder. “When the trial came back up, I couldn’t believe they were chasing this guy 30 years after the crime, and I thought it would be a compelling story and a good movie.”
“Ghosts of Mississippi” is available to rent on Prime Video, Google Play, YouTube and Apple TV.