The Directors - Rob Reiner
Affable, enthusiastic, and articulate, director Rob Reiner is a natural subject for a documentary. The film doesn't analyze or critique Reiner's work. Instead, it lets him, his actors, and film clips do the talking. Reiner clearly enjoys chatting about his pictures and has something interesting or provocative to say about every one of them. He admits to having been "a nervous wreck" when he began shooting his first feature, the mock "rockumentary,"This Is Spinal Tap. DiscussingStand By Me, Reiner waxes rhapsodic, calling it "the most important film I've made in my life." It's quite touching to see several members of the film's young cast, now grown up, talk about making the movie. They and Reiner reminisce about the late River Phoenix, who "blew us all away" with his innate acting talent. Reiner's other popular pictures are also explored:When Harry Met Sally,The Princess Bride,Misery, andA Few Good Men. We sense that the makers of the documentary are out to impress us with the body of work Reiner has put together in such a relatively short period of time. And for the most part, it works. Stars who have worked with Reiner--Meg Ryan, Billy Crystal, James Woods, Michael Douglas--appear oncamera to talk about him, and are virtually unanimous in their praise. John Cusack calls Reiner "the most caring, passionate director I've ever worked with."--Laura Mirsky