I'll preface this by saying (admiting) that I do not have a cell phone. By choice. I'm also deathly ill, so it's hardly a picnic writing this. Jus' wanted to share ...
Last night I watched Sleepless in Seatle, 1993 - second time in as many days. There are so many things to like about the film, from story to perfomances to editing. Top-notch stuff. What stuck with me most, though, was how much of the story and events would need to be changed if the film were made today. No cell phones, no GPS, no internet as we now know it. Add those to the mix, and so much would need to be rewritten. The film is a mere 21 years old, and could now be considered a period film based soley on technology.
Watching it was a very pleasant trek down memory lane, before cell phones came to dominate our every second and every step and every relationship. We cannot go anywhere without folks tuning out to do their thing. I have to wait for the store clerk to hit send before they acknowledge I am even in the room. Today I had a doctor's appointment, and every single human in the waiting room sat with their head bowed, and thumbs working the phone. I just can't stand it.
The thing is, the film did not feel dated. Everything was so seamless that I wasn't really aware of the 'oldness' of it until the credits rolled. I do watch a lot of period film, and go into it knowing things will be different. Even Leathal Weapon 1 feels old now, from costume to cars to technology, and it is just 6 years older than Sleepless. But somehow this film felt like it could be today - without the cellphones.
Yep, so much would need to be rewritten.
Sure, that's true with most films pre mid-1990s. But again, many feel dated, especially the clunky typing sounds on the old keyboards. Sleepless in Seattle does not feel dated - even during the chunky computer request for Sam Baldwin's name. Maybe it's just me.
I think I'll revist some late 80s, early 90s films and kick back with a big 'Those were the days' smile - like Andy in Shawshank Redemption when he played the opera music. Or like the Impressionists capturing the last vestiges of pre-industrial Europe. Bittersweet.
Yup. I feel an indulgence coming if or when I shake this thing.
alex
______________________________
Screenwriter an Novelist
Last night I watched Sleepless in Seatle, 1993 - second time in as many days. There are so many things to like about the film, from story to perfomances to editing. Top-notch stuff. What stuck with me most, though, was how much of the story and events would need to be changed if the film were made today. No cell phones, no GPS, no internet as we now know it. Add those to the mix, and so much would need to be rewritten. The film is a mere 21 years old, and could now be considered a period film based soley on technology.
Watching it was a very pleasant trek down memory lane, before cell phones came to dominate our every second and every step and every relationship. We cannot go anywhere without folks tuning out to do their thing. I have to wait for the store clerk to hit send before they acknowledge I am even in the room. Today I had a doctor's appointment, and every single human in the waiting room sat with their head bowed, and thumbs working the phone. I just can't stand it.
The thing is, the film did not feel dated. Everything was so seamless that I wasn't really aware of the 'oldness' of it until the credits rolled. I do watch a lot of period film, and go into it knowing things will be different. Even Leathal Weapon 1 feels old now, from costume to cars to technology, and it is just 6 years older than Sleepless. But somehow this film felt like it could be today - without the cellphones.
Yep, so much would need to be rewritten.
Sure, that's true with most films pre mid-1990s. But again, many feel dated, especially the clunky typing sounds on the old keyboards. Sleepless in Seattle does not feel dated - even during the chunky computer request for Sam Baldwin's name. Maybe it's just me.
I think I'll revist some late 80s, early 90s films and kick back with a big 'Those were the days' smile - like Andy in Shawshank Redemption when he played the opera music. Or like the Impressionists capturing the last vestiges of pre-industrial Europe. Bittersweet.
Yup. I feel an indulgence coming if or when I shake this thing.
alex
______________________________
Screenwriter an Novelist
Last edited:
