Thank you, Rob Reiner

Some movies are iconic experiences. They leave an indelible mark on culture.

The Princess Bride (“My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.”)

A Few Good Men (“You can’t handle the truth!”)

When Harry Met Sally (“I’ll have what she’s having.”)

This Is Spinal Tap (“The numbers all go to eleven.”)

Stand By Me (“Mickey’s a mouse, Donald’s a duck, Pluto’s a dog. What’s Goofy?”)

Rob Reiner, who died yesterday, directed all of these movies. And for sheer enjoyment — on first watching and every other watching — they cannot be beat.

I am no film student. But it seem to me that this is a man whose genius is in getting the most out of the scripts and actors he works with. You may remember Billy Crystal and Jack Nicholson and Mandy Patinkin, but it was Rob Reiner who allowed them to shine and captured their best performances.

And we all have a little more joy in our lives because of it.