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Nora Ephron loved New York City in the fall — and it shows in her movies

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Nora Ephron loved New York City in the fall — and it shows in her movies

As a cinephile who’s spent more time than I care to admit in dark cinemas, I can wholeheartedly say that Nora Ephron Fall is not just a season, but an experience that transcends the usual movie-watching affair. It’s like being enveloped in a warm, cozy blanket of nostalgia and romance, with a dash of wit and intelligence that only Nora Ephron could weave so effortlessly.

The weather has shifted; the aroma of pumpkin-flavored beverages fills the breeze, and leaves are shedding, even in Southern California. Say goodbye to the warmth of the summer, here comes the charm of a Nora Ephron autumn.

While the past was marked by disorder and crop tops, Nora Ephron’s Fall is a mature and refined chapter. It’s about turtlenecks and high-quality sweaters, preparing festive pumpkins for an elegant dinner party, and perhaps finding a partner for cuffing season or even a long-term relationship.

Nora Ephron, in her book “Nora Ephron at the Movies,” describes a special sensation when watching movies like ‘When Harry Met Sally,’ ‘You’ve Got Mail,’ and ‘Sleepless in Seattle.’ She says these films capture the unique charm of New York City during fall and an enchanting annual feeling, much like Christmas. According to Kaplan, everyone yearns to experience that magical mood every autumn.

Nora Ephron loved New York City in the fall — and it shows in her movies

Nelly Ephron, who was brought up in Los Angeles by screenwriter parents but later made New York City her home, is celebrated for her films that feature witty dialogue, intricate female characters, and authentic representations of the city she adored. The Empire State Building in Manhattan notably takes center stage in “Sleepless in Seattle,” a tribute to “An Affair to Remember” from Ephron; similar to “When Harry Met Sally” and “You’ve Got Mail,” it stars Meg Ryan. (Rob Reiner directed “When Harry Met Sally” based on Ephron’s screenplay, while she penned and directed the other two.)

In Kaplan’s words, “The women in her work appear to be disorganized and multi-layered, with noticeable flaws rather than the polished heroines typical of classic Hollywood romantic comedies. This exploration of complex characters is still prevalent in modern romantic comedies.

By the time Nora Ephron passed away from cancer in 2012, her movie genre was no longer popular at cinemas. However, her influence continues to be felt in contemporary films such as “Sleeping With Other People” (2015), “Anyone but You” (last year) featuring Glen Powell and Sydney Sweeney, and this year’s age-gap romantic comedy “The Idea of You,” starring Nicholas Galitzine and Anne Hathaway. Kaplan also commends the TV series “Sex and the City” for expanding on the famous ‘orgasm scene’ from the 1989 film “When Harry Met Sally,” a collaboration between Ephron, its creators, and stars Ryan and Billy Crystal, and incorporating it into the show’s candid discussions about sex. Additionally, Kaplan appreciates the controversial Netflix series “Nobody Wants This.

While there have been some attempts, not all of these romantic comedies have managed to replicate the success that Ephron’s movies achieved, according to Kaplan. He commends films with a similar blend of humor and chemistry as those produced by Ephron.

Nora Ephron loved New York City in the fall — and it shows in her movies

Apart from romantic comedies, Kaplan’s book delves into Ephron’s lesser-known movies, scripts, essays, the novel “Heartburn” and its film adaptation, which is one of Kaplan’s favorites, as well as the cultural influence her work had. Ephron was nominated for three Oscars for her screenplays; her first nomination was for “Silkwood”, followed by recognition for “When Harry Met Sally” and “Sleepless in Seattle”. Lastly, “Julie & Julia”, one of her final works, earned Meryl Streep an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Julia Child.

One intriguing discovery the author made while studying Ephron’s work was her screenplay for the 1989 mobster comedy “Cookie,” which was directed by yet another trailblazing female director, Susan Seidelman. Additionally, it was found that she had a producing role in the cult teen movie “All I Wanna Do,” also recognized as “Strike!” or “The Hairy Bird.

Kaplan points out that you can admire someone’s work without fully grasping its entirety. For him, delving deeper into Nora’s background – not just her history and personal life, but also her friendships, connections with others, and mentorships – was a fascinating experience.

The filmmaker who started as a journalist was intricately layered, similar to the strong female characters she often portrayed in romantic comedies, Kaplan notes. Although she was known for her romantic comedy successes, upon closer examination of her work, one could find that she was capable of being biting and severe, yet these very qualities made her captivating and appealing to many people.

In the closing part of “You’ve Got Mail,” Kaplan particularly enjoys a scene where Joe, played by Tom Hanks, ponders why Kathleen, portrayed by Meg Ryan, can’t forgive him for shutting down her small bookstore yet forgives an anonymous internet friend who stood her up. “If only you would,” Joe expresses his longing.

“I get chills every time I hear that line,” Kaplan says.

The scene is reminiscent of a moment in “Sleepless in Seattle.” Rosie O’Donnell’s character tells Ryan’s Annie that she doesn’t want to be in love, she wants to be in love in a movie.

Preferably a Nora Ephron one.

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2024-10-31 21:33

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