Sleepless in Seattle (2000, VHS)

In my life there have been cycles of emotion, just like I would think that anyone else would have by daily living. However, in each person's life an action or reaction to certain things can widely vary depending on the history of another person's life. Feeling love, feeling hurt, feeling any emotion can vary between individuals based on another person's past.

Such is the case in point with a movie that I have loved for quite some time now, but now find myself unbearably unable to watch anymore -- Sleepless in Seattle.

Sleepless in Seattle

Sleepless in Seattle is a love story for the 90s. In it, Sam Baldwin, a widower with an eight-year-old son, Jonah, finds himself trying to start over in Seattle after the death of his beloved wife from cancer. Still feeling the pain after about eighteen months, Sam finds himself on the telephone one Christmas Eve night after Jonah calls a radio talk show letting the "doctor" there know that Sam needs a new wife.

Sam's vulnerability is shown as he pours his heart out on the radio waves about how much he loved his wife and how much it hurts now that she is gone from his life. He recounts how their meeting was like magic and that he knew from the very first time that he touched her that she would be the one for her.

While riding to visit with her fiance's parents, Annie Reed, a reporter from Baltimore, finds herself drawn to Sam's story and realizing the disenchantment that she has found with her relationship with her fiance', Walter. She begins to fantasize about Sam and Jonah, even going to the point of trying to discover who they really are and even going to Seattle to try to meet them.

However, she is afraid and once face to face with Sam, she says nothing and leaves. But, she did send a letter and Jonah has fallen in love with her just with her words. He wants Sam and Annie to meet, but that seems impossible.

Being a kid though who doesn't know what the word "no" means, he concocts a way to try to get Sam and Annie to meet. Annie agrees, but she is torn. Does she chance her life on a man whom she has never met, or does she stay with Walter, who is stable and known? Does she believe in the "magic" of love? And does Sam take a chance to meet someone he has never met, who may actually be the "one" again for him?

Things I Like About Sleepless In Seattle

The main thing that I like about Sleepless in Seattle is that it is "real". I say that because the entire movie sounds like something from online experiences. People will meet someone online, fall in love and live happily ever after. The story is very enchanting and very funny and the characters will touch your heart.

Another thing that I enjoy about Sleepless in Seattle is the soundtrack. The soundtrack contains an amazing collection of songs, all of which are prominently featured in the film. The music enhances the emotion and humor at times making you feel even closer to the characters.

Finally, I like Sleepless in Seattle because it helps you still believe in "happily ever after". There's just something great about a love story that works out that appeals to just about anyone.

Things that I Don't Like About Sleepless in Seattle

The main thing that I don't like about Sleepless in Seattle is that there is a lot of hurt in the film. Sam's emotions are heightened as he talks about the pain in his heart from the loss of his wife, and it is quiet apparent that he is not healed as he should be before pursuing another relationship.

While I understand his son's concern about his father's well being, pushing him into a relationship like this was not a good thing and I believe that should have been respected. Of course, that wouldn't have made the film be what it is, but in reality, I've seen too many people get hurt in relationships this way.

Personal Reflection

I find it very painful to watch Sleepless in Seattle anymore.

Why?

There are many reasons why I find it difficult to watch this movie anymore.

The first reason is that I have lost two people close to me within the past three years. One of them, you could say, would be like Sam's loss -- the love of his life. I lost the love of my life almost three years ago, and let me tell you, the pain is beyond anything that I can even describe here. My second loss was my best friend, whom I loved dearly. It was he who really helped me get over the hurt and pain of my lost love by his deep friendship. I don't know if there's any way that I can really deal with this holiday season with a positive attitude right now with such pain in my heart from the loss of both of these men.

The second reason that I find it difficult to watch Sleepless in Seattle anymore is that I don't believe in the magic anymore of finding the love of your life. I don't believe in love at first sight anymore and I don't believe in love at first touch. I've not been on a radio show, but I've been online and either online or reality it just seems to me that true love is not something that is around anymore to the degree it was in the past. I've really lost a lot of hope and faith in this kind of thing and that shows today in my heart as I try to go through the holiday season alone without the love of a man in my life.

While I realize that there are many people who would say that I will find love again, that may be true -- but how can anyone go through this type of situation where they love someone so much and then have them ripped from you in death, not once but twice within a short amount of time? I don't know, but I am living proof of that.

Recommendation

Now, that I have bent your ear on that, I would like to offer you my recommendation on Sleepless in Seattle. Overall, Sleepless in Seattle is a movie that will give you hope that there is a solution for any hurt in your life and that there is a person who can make your dreams come true. The story has deep emotion, comedy, and a sense of hope that many other films do not. The acting is superb and the musical score enhances the emotion even more.

Overall, Sleepless in Seattle is one of the greatest modern love stories of all time. It is definitely worth purchasing as a gift for someone that you love dearly and would like to share not only the magic of Christmas, but the magic of love.

Therefore, I highly recommend the purchase of Sleepless in Seattle for not only your video library, but for a special gift as well.

Cast of Sleepless in Seattle include the following:
Tom Hanks .... Samuel 'Sam' Baldwin
Ross Malinger .... Jonah Baldwin
Rita Wilson .... Suzy
Victor Garber .... Greg
Tom Riis Farrell .... Rob
Carey Lowell .... Maggie Abbott Baldwin
Meg Ryan .... Annie Reed
Bill Pullman .... Walter
Rosie O'Donnell .... Becky