This month Aaron and Josh Sarnecky are talking about Sleepless in Seattle and You’ve Got Mail for their 30th and 25th anniversaries, respectively.
Both romantic comedies pair Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, and both are directed and co-written by Nora Ephron.
Sleepless in Seattle follows widower Sam Baldwin (Hanks), whose son (Ross Malinger) enters him in a call-in radio program to find him a new wife. Annie Reed (Ryan) becomes obsessed with Sam, despite her engagement. Inspired by An Affair to Remember, Annie asks Sam to meet at top of the Empire State Building on Valentine’s Day. Sleepless in Seattle opened in theaters on June 25, 1993. The film also stars Bill Pullman, Rosie O’Donnell, Gabby Hoffman, Ross Mallinger, Rita Wilson, Victor Garber, Rob Reiner, Cary Lowell, David Hyde Pierce
You’ve Got Mail is a loose remake of The Shop Around the Corner. It centers on a feud between Kathleen Kelly (Ryan), a small bookstore owner, and Joe Fox (Hanks), whose family owns a large bookstore chain. Unbeknownst to them, they are anonymous pen pals online. The film opened in theaters on December 18, 1998. The film also stars Dave Chappelle (you’re reading that right), Greg Kinnear, Parker Posey, Steve Zahn, Heather Burns, Jean Stapleton, Chris Messina, and more.
Both films were financial successes, grossing $227.9 million and $250 million, respectively. Sleepless in Seattle earned Oscar nominations for Best Original Screenplay and Best Original Song. You’ve Got Mail, while not as beloved, was generally well-received.
Aaron and Josh talk about their familiarity with romantic comedies, how they came across each film, plus the plots and performances. They also discuss the chances of Hanks and Ryan teaming up again.\
For more Tom Hanks movies, listen to Josh and Aaron’s podcasts on Saving Private Ryan and Cloud Atlas.
Sleepless in Seattle is available on Prime Video. You’ve Got Mail is available on Tubi.
