Sleepless in Seattle is a American romantic comedy film directed by Nora Ephron , from a screenplay she wrote with David S. Ward and Jeff Arch. Starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan , the film follows a journalist Ryan who becomes enamored with a widowed architect Hanks , when the latter's son calls in to a talk radio program requesting a new partner for his grieving father.
Several studios rejected his script, deterred by the idea that its main couple does not meet for nearly the entire film. Ward and Ephron were among several writers hired to re-write the script into a funnier film, with Ephron eventually being promoted to director.
Although both Hanks and Ryan had been favored for the lead roles from the beginning, several other actors expressed interest in both parts.
The film was shot mostly in Seattle during the summer of Several of its most pivotal scenes were filmed on a former naval base due to the city's lack of sound stages, including a recreation of the Empire State Building's observation deck when the New York skyscraper was not available.
Sleepless in Seattle was released on June 25, , to positive reviews, receiving praise for Ephron's writing and direction, as well as Hanks and Ryan's performances.
