Sleepless in Seattle

Work Title: Sleepless in Seattle
Medium: Film
Episode Title:
Year: 1993
Writer(s): Jeff Arch
"Original" Writer: Yes Writer(s): Nora Ephron
"Original" Writer: Yes Writer(s): David S. Ward
"Original" Writer: Yes Own work?: No

Summary:

From IMDB: After his wife died, Sam Baldwin did not think about other women. His 8-year old son Jonah thinks that his father needs a woman in order to get his life back in order and calls in on a nation-wide radio-show. The voice and story of Sam is heard by hundreds of women, including Annie Reed, who is about to marry her fiancé Walter soon. She can't find a rest until she really knows for sure that Sam Baldwin is not the one person for her. Thus, Annie travels to Seattle, where Sam and Jonah live, and there decides that Sam is not the one. The letter she never sent was posted by a friend of Annie, and therefore Jonah, who feels that she's the one for his dad, already booked a flight to New York in order to meet her on the roof of the Empire State building, just like in "An Affair to Remember". Of course, his father follows him instantly... Written by Julian Reischl {julianreischl@mac.com}

  • Self-Written?:
  • Source Name: IMDB
  • Source URL:

Era/Year of Portrayal: present_day

Distinctive characteristics of the world in portrayal:

Present Day, typical 1993


Technology

  • Name of portrayed presence-evoking technology: Radio, phone, hand-written letters
  • Description of the technology: The main characters use the typical technology avaiable in 1993. They listen to radio programs for entertainment/fill time, talk on phones (via land lines), and use hand-written letters. The letter allows for a response lag, and important to the plot, Annie, the writer, did not know it was sent. The technology used in this movie allow for Annie and Sam to come together.
  • Nature of task or activity: Annie listens to a radio show, that Jonah and Sam called into with their phones. Annie writes a letter to Sam and Jonah.
  • Performance of the Technology: The technology functions well, but at least one character is unaware of it happening. Sam is not aware that Annie feels a sudden connection to him over the radio, and Annie does not know that her letter was sent, which Jonah found, and followed the directions. The lag/unknown is what draws the viewer in.
  • Description of creator(s): The radio program is run by a lady, and she at the earliest, in her late 30's.
  • Major goal(s) of creator(s): The radio program's purpose is two-fold. First, it helps listener's with their problems, and second, it provides entertainment to the listeners.
  • Description of users of technology: Mostly females listen to the radio program, from all age-ranges. All characters use the phone, and several use hand-written letters.
  • Type(s) of presence experience in the portrayal: social_presence
  • Description of presence experience: When Annie hears Sam's story of his love and loss of his wife, she feels an immediate connection to him, and love for him. He feels familiar to her, and she is drawn towards him, even though he is on the other coast. When Jonah reads Annie's letter to Sam, he knows she is the one for his dad, and must find her.
  • User awareness of technology during experience: All characters are aware of the technology they are using, although there is an instance when Annie does not know her letter to Sam was sent.
  • Valence of experience: Overall, the characters have a positive experience with the technology, but may find it's limitations confusion and frustrating at times.
  • Specific responses: The users experience involvement, enjoyment, and intense relationships.
Long-term consequences:

Sam and Annie finally do meet, and it is believed they live happily-ever-after.

Other:

Similar to plot of "You've Got Mail", but with less current technology.

Coder name: Anne Russ
Coder email: anne.russ@temple.edu
Coder affiliation: Graduate Student, Temple University.