As I sit here, mesmerized by the captivating charm of Meg Ryan, I can’t help but feel a profound sense of admiration for her remarkable journey in the world of cinema. Her charmed existence is evident not only in her stunning performances but also in her humble demeanor and infectious laughter that fills every scene she graces.
Movie legend Meg Ryan captivated a full audience at the Sarajevo Film Festival on Tuesday, re-enacting some of her classic romantic comedy performances from films like “When Harry Met Sally” and “You’ve Got Mail.” She also shared insights about her life and career in the film industry since reaching the age of 60.
She shared, “I seldom focus on the negative aspects. You’ll find me incredibly fortunate among all the people you’ve encountered. I don’t experience a sense of lacking or deprivation. My life is blessed, and I collaborate with extraordinary individuals.”
Ryan is set to attend the Bosnian festival to collect a lifetime achievement honor and debut her newest film, titled “What Happens Later,” which is a romantic comedy that Ryan herself directed, scripted, and served as executive producer for. In this movie, she also plays the lead role alongside David Duchovny, portraying former lovers who become stranded during a snowstorm.
Additionally, she’s arranging a unique replay of her 1998 romantic comedy classic “You’ve Got Mail” at the Coca-Cola Open Air Cinema, which is the same location where it was screened during the festival’s fifth installment exactly 25 years ago in Sarajevo.
On Tuesday, Danis Tanović, an Academy Award-winning Bosnian director (“No Man’s Land”), led a masterclass. The session began by playing a memorable scene from “When Harry Met Sally” at the deli, which garnered just as much excitement from the Sarajevo crowd as it has over the past 35 years since its debut.
Ryan remarked, “It’s been ages since I’ve heard that, but Billy Crystal is the ideal actor to feign an orgasm.” He added humorously, “It’s quite extraordinary to be known for something as unconventional as that.”
The actress remembered her initial break in the ’80s on the long-lasting soap opera “As the World Turns,” which she took to fund her education at NYU, before her captivating performance alongside Tom Cruise in the 1986 hit movie “Top Gun” brought her into public attention.
In the world of cinema, my personal favorite trilogy of romantic comedies that truly solidified my career was crafted by the legendary Nora Ephron – starting with “When Harry Met Sally,” followed by “You’ve Got Mail” and culminating with “Sleepless in Seattle.” I’ve always admired Nora’s ability to construct a setting that draws out the best in people. It was an honor to be part of these timeless stories she so skillfully wove.
In my perspective as a film enthusiast, I’d say, “She transformed the set into an engaging dinner soiree at her home. It was simply delightful! Cook-offs and taste-tests were common occurrences, making every conversation with cast and crew a captivating experience. The atmosphere was reminiscent of a dinner party where you never wanted to depart. Indeed, it was a testament to her exceptional storytelling prowess.” Revisiting her breakout moment in the New York deli scene, I couldn’t help but exclaim, “That’s just masterful writing. And that’s Nora Ephron. Such writing is seldom encountered.”
“Later on, we find Ryan taking the helm for her second directorial project, having previously directed and starred alongside her son Jack Quaid in the 2015 film ‘Ithaca’. This time around, she also reunited with Tom Hanks for their fourth collaboration on-screen. Notably, this upcoming production by Bleecker Street Media will be Ryan’s debut as both a director and writer of a romantic comedy.”
According to the play “Shooting Star” by Steven Dietz, the movie tells a story about two former lovers whose planes are delayed due to snow, leading them to unexpectedly cross paths at an airport and reminisce about their past together while waiting for their flights.
Ryan, making a comeback after an absence of eight years, declared that the production of this movie, completed within just three weeks and within a budget of $3 million, presented a “significant hurdle” – yet, she found this challenge invigorating and inspiring to bring it to life.
“She pointed out that instead of viewing constraints as obstacles, we can perceive them as chances for innovation. Our film was made with a tight budget and shot over 21 nights. It needed to have grandeur,” she explained. “Despite the challenges, we decided to film in a museum located in Arkansas. We didn’t have the luxury of managing extras; we had to rely on real people instead. These limitations, in turn, became exciting puzzles to solve within our restricted time frame and budget.”
Reflecting on some unforgettable screen appearances, I myself reminisce about the brisk directions from director Tony Scott during the filming of “Top Gun” (“In this scene, you’re joyful”; “In this scene, you’re melancholic”). Preparing diligently for the role in “Joe Versus the Volcano” by delving into Carl Jung’s works to portray three distinct women. Struggling to embody a drunk in “When a Man Loves a Woman.” I also shared anecdotes about a role I declined, for “The Silence of the Lambs,” acknowledging that Jodie Foster was the ideal choice to play FBI trainee Clarice Starling, while emphasizing, “I don’t find it amusing.”
Inquired concerning prospects for mature actresses within Hollywood, Ryan acknowledged that there can be some constraints for women past a specific age. However, she also pointed out that these restrictions have motivated her to explore fresh avenues for her professional journey.
“She stated that as one gets older, acting opportunities may become scarce. However, this isn’t the case for roles like directing or producing. At some point, one might feel compelled to express themselves directly. Occasionally, this has nothing to do with acting.”
Ryan previewed three forthcoming ventures, one featuring her as the main character, another where she’ll be behind the camera as director, and a third where she intends to both direct and produce.
“She expressed her enthusiasm for being immersed in a narrative setting, and it was during her professional journey when she realized the importance of the community associated with it – not only filmmakers, but also the audience. She added that it’s a fortunate profession, and she aims to create similar experiences. In other words, she’s experimenting by presenting various ideas until she finds what resonates.”
The Sarajevo Film Festival runs Aug. 16 – 23.
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2024-08-20 16:47