Cannonball with Wesley Morris

Rob Reiner Made Your Favorite Movie

7 snips
Dec 18, 2025
In this engaging conversation, Michael Barbaro, the host of The Daily, joins Wesley Morris to celebrate the impactful films of Rob Reiner. They dive into how Reiner's hits, especially 'When Harry Met Sally,' shaped personal and cultural narratives. Wesley reflects on the joy and optimism in Reiner's work, while dissecting the iconic diner scene and the art behind it. The duo also critiques the critics, defending Reiner’s heartfelt approach to filmmaking and his legacy of warmth that resonates with audiences.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
ANECDOTE

Movie Made Me Move

  • Wesley Morris says he moved to New York because he watched When Harry Met Sally repeatedly as a teen.
  • The film's portrayal of New York made him want to live the life Harry and Sally had.
INSIGHT

Pleasure Over Prestige

  • Morris argues Rob Reiner prioritized pleasing audiences and delivering joy over critical complexity.
  • That focus made Reiner's films beloved repeat-watch favorites despite critical complaints.
INSIGHT

Favorites Not Critics' Choices

  • Morris distinguishes greatest movies from favorite movies and says Reiner made the latter.
  • Reiner turned actors like Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal into movie stars with strong scripts and warmth.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app