Rob Reiner: Between laughter and tears

Our decade-old conversation

Last night, I’ve stumbled across a decade-old recording of an interview with Rob Reiner and Cary Elwes (with interruptions by Geoffrey Rush). It feels a bit strange, a bit melancholy, but I’m grateful for having that little time capsule to hold on to and refer back to. I was a different person then. We all were.

I conducted this interview during the Toronto International Film Festival, where Reiner’s film Being Charlie was being screened. Co-written by his son Nick, the film follows the story of a future governor and his experiences with an addict son who fights against recovery and rehab. It is clearly a deeply personal project, and that many years later the reality behind the scenes turned rather tragic—is an understatement, to be sure.

We have lost someone who created so many memories for us, nostalgic, but ever-present. Most people are lucky if they make one incredible film. Rob made so many classics: This Is Spinal Tap, Stand by Me, The Princess Bride (my personal favorite), When H…