Rob Reiner leaves behind a body of work that won’t soon be forgotten.
From comedies such as “When Harry Met Sally…” and “The Princess Bride” to classic Stephen King adaptations like “Stand by Me” and Misery,” Reiner’s storytelling mastery delivered some of the most memorable movies released in the 1980s and 1990s. And I didn’t even mention the gripping drama “A Few Good Men.”
Here are eight of Reiner’s most memorable films.
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“This Is Spinal Tap” (1984)
Being the son of Carl Reiner, a pioneer in onscreen comedy, and having acted in variety shows for most of his youth, eventually playing Michael “Meathead” Stivic on “All in the Family,” throughout the 1970s, Reiner never had a problem being on screen.
It made him the perfect straight man opposite Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, and Harry Shearer in this comedy, which he also directed, about a fake band going on tour.
Essentially creating the mockumentary genre with the movie, Reiner plays a director named Marty Di Bergi who chronicles the US tour of the English rock band Spinal Tap.
The movie went on to become a cult classic. Guest has since taken the mockumentary reins, going on to create his own classics, such as the 2000 film “Best in Show” and the 2003 film “A Mighty Wind.”
“Stand by Me” (1986)
Reiner adapted Stephen King’s novella “The Body” for his sophomore directing effort and demonstrated that he can do much more than comedy.
This coming-of-age tale about a group of friends who set out to look for a dead body made stars out of its lead characters — Corey Feldman, Jerry O’Connell, River Phoenix, and Wil Wheaton — and decades later, you can find many similarities in the character development in Netflix’s “Stranger Things.”
“The Princess Bride” (1987)
Shifting to the fantasy genre, Reiner crafted a love story that has only grown in popularity.
Cary Elwes plays Westley, a swashbuckler determined to reconnect with his true love, played by Robin Wright, who is a princess set to be married.
Along the way, Elwes teams with the likes of Mandy Patinkin, Andre the Giant, and Billy Crystal to complete his quest.
“When Harry Met Sally…” (1989)
Reiner collaborated with screenwriter Nora Ephron to make one of the greatest romantic comedies ever.
From the fake orgasm in the diner scene to the romantic conclusion when Harry (Billy Crystal) finally professes his love to Sally (Meg Ryan) on New Year’s Eve, any rom-com that has worked since is because it has used elements that originated in “When Harry Met Sally….”
“Misery” (1990)
A year later, Reiner would once more turn to Stephen King to prove he can do more than comedy.
James Caan plays a novelist who is held captive by an obsessive fan played by Kathy Bates.
The movie would be a sensation and lead to Bates winning an Oscar, marking the only time an Oscar has been awarded to a King adaptation.
“A Few Good Men” (1992)
Aaron Sorkin adapted his 1989 play for Reiner’s next movie, which would go on to be nominated for four Oscars, including best picture.
With an all-star cast that includes Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson, Demi Moore, Kevin Bacon, and Kiefer Sutherland, this courtroom drama focuses on a hotshot attorney (Cruise) trying to exonerate two Marines charged with the murder of another Marine.
The movie concludes with a showdown between Cruise and Nicholson, playing the Colonel at the base where the murder took place, that is highlighted by the now-famous movie line by Nicholson: “You can’t handle the truth!”
“The American President” (1995)
Reiner and Sorkin would team up again for this lighthearted political drama, in which Michael Douglas plays a widowed President of the United States who falls for a lobbyist, played by Annette Bening.
The movie went on to be the spirit animal for Sorkin’s beloved series “The West Wing,” which aired from 1999 to 2006.
“Albert Brooks: Defending My Life” (2023)
One of Reiner’s final directing efforts was this documentary on his good friend, Albert Brooks.
Reiner, who is also in a lot of the movie speaking with Brooks, recounts the comic’s legendary career from being the go-to stand-up comic for Johnny Carson to becoming a renowned director himself (“Real Life,” “Modern Romance,” “Defending Your Life,” “Mother”).
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