Rob Reiner: A Master of All Genres
The film world has lost a great talent in Rob Reiner.
That talent was so multifaceted, that you could ask ten people what he was known for and you would likely get ten different answers. The son of comedy legend Carl Reiner, Rob starred in All in the Family, the biggest sitcom of the 70s, and became a voice of a young generation pushing back against the conservative status quo. In real life, he was an outspoken liberal advocate and a power player in California Democratic politics. Then, there were the films he made…
The immensely influential This Is Spinal Tap rivals some of Monty Python’s best work in terms of pure comedy, quotability and staying power. Stand By Me, considered one of the best coming-of-age films ever made, helped launch the careers of some of the biggest actors of the 80s, including River Phoenix and Corey Feldman, and member of the so-called “Brat Pack,” Kiefer Sutherland and John Cusack. During our career-spanning conversation with Reiner in 2018, he beamed while sharing anecdotes from the making of 1985’s The Sure Thing, led by Cusack in his first starring role.
When it comes to standard bearers of a genre, When Harry Met Sally might top them all – the film is all but synonymous with the term rom-com. Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal shine in the adversaries-to-lovers tale, one that follows them through the years, as they develop a bond as friends, and then navigate the fear of a blossoming love threatening that friendship. The honesty and lived-in charm of the film and its characters create a potent mix that keeps audiences on their toes as they root for the pair. To this day, autumn in New York still feels like the best place to fall in love.
Another all-timer: The Princess Bride. While sending up the fantasy/romance genre, it’s smart enough to know what makes swashbuckling dramas so powerful and popular, and is earnest in all the right moments.
Within the monumental classics that populate Reiner’s catalog are indelible moments and performances, like Kathy Bates’ Oscar-winning, ankle-smashing turn in Misery, and the unforgettable Tom Cruise-Jack Nicholson face off in A Few Good Men, which remains just as enthralling with each viewing as it was the first time we watched it.
The consummate collaborator, Reiner encouraged his actors to take big swings, elevating character and story, and letting the dialogue shine. His partners in creating said dialogue feature a murderer’s row of talent, including Christopher Guest, Stephen King, Nora Ephron, William Goldman and Aaron Sorkin.
So, you may know Rob Reiner for “I’ll have what she’s having,” “My name is Inigo Montoya,” or “These go to 11,” but what made him truly special was that he brought us all those moments while being true to himself: a filmmaker and entertainer who loved sharing stories with humor and heart.
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