Nora Ephron- Writer/Director of the Week

"Be the heroine of your life, not the victim".  Nora Ephron sure could turn a phrase, couldn't she? In all the tributes to Nora I have read in the weeks since her death, she emerges as a wonderfully funny, kind, feminist who loved to cook (with butter). And what a great combination that turned out to be.

I know she didn't write period drama, but she sure had a fondness for Jane Austen. Wouldn't you love to be at a dinner where Jane Austen and Nora Ephron were at the same table? OK, maybe that's too much greatness at once. Separately then perhaps! And she loved films. Films with humour and romance and happy endings. I am going to be spending my summer holidays reading Nora's books, watching Nora's films, and thinking about how to be the heroine of my life. So here's a little tribute.

Heartburn with Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep

Mark Forman: My wife's name was Kimberley. One of the first Kimberleys.
Rachel Samstat: My husband had hamsters.
Mark Forman: Me too.
Rachel Samstat: Not as a grownup you didn't. He had hamsters named Arnold and Shirley. And he was always whipping up little salads for them in the Slice-O-Matic and buying them extremely small sweaters at a pet boutique in Rego Park. Also, there was a certain amount of talking in squeaky voices.
Mark Forman: Both of you?
Rachel Samstat: Well, he was Arnold... and I was Shirley.

When Harry Met Sally with Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan

Harry Burns: There are two kinds of women: high maintenance and low maintenance.
Sally Albright: Which one am I?
Harry Burns: You're the worst kind; you're high maintenance but you think you're low maintenance.
Sally Albright: I don't see that.
Harry Burns: You don't see that? Waiter, I'll begin with a house salad, but I don't want the regular dressing. I'll have the balsamic vinegar and oil, but on the side. And then the salmon with the mustard sauce, but I want the mustard sauce on the side. "On the side" is a very big thing for you.
Sally Albright: Well, I just want it the way I want it.
Harry Burns: I know; high maintenance.

Sleepless in Seattle with Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks

Sam Baldwin: What is "tiramisu"?
Jay: You'll find out.
Sam Baldwin: Well, what is it?
Jay: You'll see!
Sam Baldwin: Some woman is gonna want me to do it to her and I'm not gonna know what it is!

You've Got Mail with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan

 
Kathleen Kelly: I love daisies.
Joe Fox: You told me.
Kathleen Kelly: They're so friendly. Don't you think daisies are the friendliest flower? 

Julie and Julia with Meryl Streep and Stanley Tucci

Paul Child: What is it you REALLY like to do?
Julia Child: Eat!

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So again, thank-you Nora Ephron for leaving the world a happier place. I dearly love a laugh!