Nora Ephron -

Not really known, until she became famous to this erstwhile Washingtonian for divorcing her famous husband Carl Bernstein, of the Woodward & Bernstein political investigative journalism duo [Watergate]; Nora picked up speed and became an equal artist and celebrity by her great humor and writing.  Funny, on reviewing her work tonight just before writing this, at IMBD, and on reading other materials; “Heartburn” – her great funny bitter swan song to her stressed marriage, came before the other films for which she is well acclaimed and funny.

“Sleepless in Seattle”,  “How Harry Met Sally”, and “You’ve got Mail” are now  the three comic works for which she is most famous, likely for the romantic  purity of the nice girl played by Meg Ryan.

Learned (educated) to be a political scientist, she charged into the milieu characteristic of her generation (only 9 years older than I) with the “Silkwood” screenplay. An eco-drama, a mystery, worthy of the era.

This kind of typed Ephron.  Her second husband was a great celebrated investigative reporter & she matched his prowess after the divorce.  Destined, like some in Hollywood, or Washington or New York in the arts or other abilities, she would not be swept or slept aside.  She proved herself.  Adapting to her parents tips she became a novelist, continued prose essays, and emerged  a successful screenwriter, and moviemaker.

Success, sure as part of man and woman.  Could not have fathomed Ephron without the catalyst.  Like the Adam’s Rib series, drawing from her parents background in the Tracy-Hepburn clashes, she thrived on sexual opposites.  Would suggest that her females could and would clash differently (even when one was not the other woman) than her men and women would.  That man thing though , what zeitgeist.  That was necessary. 

RIP Nora Ephron, I really enjoyed your work, and have discovered much more by your obit and death notices.  Rest & Return. (Carl and you have two great children by the way, and you did husbands as well as chapters & titles. So likely some romance and a good thought there.  Best  to your widower, seems like a great guy and fine marriage.

OK?

Oh yeah …

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