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Sunday, 31 January 2010

Nora Ephron - What Are You Doing To Me?

I am currently reading the Nora Ephron book 'Heartburn.' It's a book about a woman who is seven months pregnant who finds out her husband is cheating on her. And it's about cooking. And women stuff. And the cover looks like this --

Now, this is a problem because I am a guy.
And if I read a book like that on the train, people will give me weird looks.

'Why Are You Reading Nora Ephron books?' you might ask. And all I can say is that, Nora Ephron has been pulling this kind of shit on me all my life. Do I want to be watching Meg Ryan prancing around all the time? No. But do I? Yes. 'Sleepless In Seattle,' 'You've Got Mail', 'Hanging Up' - I loved them all.

You see - I secretly think Nora Ephron is one of the best writers alive. There are not many others who could make me relate to a story about a bunch of quarrelling sisters ('Hanging Up') - and whilst I do love a good ole' rom-com, I would rarely call them my favorite films - but I think 'You've Got Mail' is genius. If it was made in the 1950's and had Billy Wilder's name as Director, it probably would have won some oscars.

The book I am reading, 'Heartburn,' was turned into a movie, which I've not yet seen. But the book is great - hilarious, compelling, and true - in a way few books are. I actually really struggle with reading, I find it hard to find voices that resonate with me. I can name about four -- Woody Allen (short stories), Joseph Heller, Roald Dahl, John O'Farrell, some of Nick Hornby, and half of Jack Kerouac's 'On The Road' - that is a bit more than four but that number was only a guess prior to this sentence. Oh, and Anne Frank. There's more truth in her book than anything else I've ever read.

So I have to face the facts - I need to stand up proudly and say. I LOVE NORA EPHRON.

But right now I'm going to go and watch the 'Die Hard' trilogy and some war films....

PS: Today is the last day you can vote for me in the 2010 Weblog Awards, or the Bloggies, as they're also known. I am one of the five nominees in the 'Best Entertainment Blog' category. I would really appreciate it if you voted for me. You can do that here.
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6 comments:

  1. Chad1 February 2010 at 13:26

    it's posts like this one that make me glad I subscribed.

    I would be interested in knowing what screenwriters have a voice you can connect with. For me, Charlie Kaufman and Diablo Cody come to mind..any thoughts?

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  2. The Kid In The Front Row1 February 2010 at 15:33

    HJP - romantic comedies don't really get the best of recognition, I think. Although, I'm saying that just because it's a popular myth, but I don't really pay attention to these things! I think she's highly thought of though, in general.

    Chad - I'll write more about the writers I connect with soon. Will try write a whole article about it.

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  3. Madi Rose2 February 2010 at 05:32

    i love you've got mail. its one of my favorites. annnd you better go watch those war films. and fast. haha just kidding.

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  4. louisebah4 February 2010 at 06:42

    I love Norah Ephron! Good to know (finally!) a guy who digs her! :) hugs

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  5. Marcy6 February 2010 at 20:14

    ...but I think 'You've Got Mail' is genius. If it was made in the 1950's and had Billy Wilder's name as Director, it probably would have won some oscars.

    YES. I concur. I love that movie so much.

    Don't forget Ephron's awesome When Harry Met Sally screenplay.

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  6. HJP24 September 2012 at 07:52

    Nora Ephron was recently brought to my attention because I enjoyed "Julie & Julia" and noticed she directed it. I knew I had heard of her, but couldn't tell you what else she has written. Now that I know I am appauled that I wasn't aware since she seems to be one of the best romantic comedy writers ever! And I couldn't find any information showing that she has won any awards for her work? Interesting. I wonder if that's simply because of the genre, or being a woman, or what?

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