Whether they were romantic comedies (When Harry Met Sally', The American President, The Sure Thing), thrillers (Misery), courtroom dramas (A Few Good Men) or coming-of-age fables (Stand By Me), Reiner's films return again and again to deeply humanist beliefs: that people, however flawed, are capable of growth and connection; that care and empathy for each other is vital; and that cinematic stories can help us recognise this in one another. Often celebrated for its improvisational brilliance and satirical sharpness, I think the film is equally remarkable for its affection towards its characters. It treats the titular band's absurdity as inseparable from their sincerity. The Princess Bride (1987) fused fairy-tale romance, adventure and meta-humour. When Harry Met Sally' (1989) remains one of the great comedic explorations of love, intimacy and relationships in American cinema. Stand by Me (1986), adapted from a Stephen King novella, looks back on childhood with both nostalgic memory...
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