3 weeks ago
17
Stephen King has broken his silence on the death of Rob Reiner after the Hollywood director and his wife were brutally murdered by their son over the weekend.
King and Reiner were former collaborators, with Reiner directing two of King's most popular and acclaimed adaptations ever - 1986's Stand By Me and 1990's Misery.
Reflecting on their relationship in an emotional opinion piece for the New York Times, King recalled hugging Reiner after seeing Stand By Me for the first time.
'I was surprised by how deeply affected I was by its 89 minutes,' King wrote.
'When the movie was over, I thanked Rob and surprised the hell out of myself by giving him a hug,' he continued.
Stephen King has broken his silence on the death of Rob Reiner after the Hollywood director and his wife were brutally murdered
King recalled hugging Reiner after seeing his adaptation of Stand By Me for the first time
'I'm not ordinarily a hugging man, and I don't think he was used to getting them. He stiffened, muttered something about being glad I liked it, and we both stepped away.'
King then recounted being moved to tears by the film, which was based on his most personal and autobiographical novel, 1982's The Body.
'I went into the nearest men's bathroom and sat in a stall until I got myself under control,' he shared.
'When I came back from the men’s, Rob and I had a more normal conversation. He asked me for notes; I had none. I had just let the whole thing wash over me. I marveled at what a good story the truth could make in the right hands.'
King also said that he was 'equally delighted' when he saw Reiner's Misery for the first time.
The 1990 thriller earned critical acclaim upon its release and earned a then-unknown Kathy Bates the Academy Award for Best Actress, making Misery the only film based on a novel by King to win an Academy Award.
King is notorious for disliking many adaptations of his work, so his support for Reiner's films is high praise from the picky novelist.
The Maine-born author famously dislikes Stanley Kubrick's The Shining, despite it being one of his most popular films.
'I was surprised by how deeply affected I was by its 89 minutes,' King said of Stand By Me, which moved him to tears
King also said that he was 'equally delighted' when he saw Reiner's Misery for the first time
King also hates 1984's Firestarter with a young Drew Barrymore, as well as The Lawnmower Man, The Running Man, and more recently, 2017's The Dark Tower.
It comes after Rob and Michele Reiner's cause of death was formally revealed after their son, Nick Reiner, made his first court appearance in the double murder case.
The County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner said that the couple passed away after suffering from 'multiple sharp force injuries'.
Online records show the Hollywood legend and his photographer wife died on Sunday, the same day they were discovered in their $13.5 million mansion.
Both of their deaths have been ruled homicides, with the place of death listed as their residence. Their bodies are ready for release.
Nick was arrested on Sunday and has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the killings of his 78-year-old father and 70-year-old mother.
In addition to Misery and Stand By Me, Reiner's credits include This Is Spinal Tap and The Princess Bride
Reiner and his photographer wife Michelle were murdered in their home by their son Nick
Prosecutors added special circumstances of multiple murders and use of a dangerous weapon, a knife, meaning, if he is convicted, Nick could face life in prison without the possibility of parole or even the death penalty.
The 32-year-old made a brief court appearance on Wednesday, wearing an anti-suicide vest, where he did not enter a plea.
Shortly after the hearing, the couple's other children, Romy and Jake, released a heart-wrenching statement on their deaths.
'Words cannot even begin to describe the unimaginable pain we are experiencing every moment of the day,' the grieving siblings said.
'The horrific and devastating loss of our parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, is something that no one should ever experience.
'They weren't just our parents; they were our best friends. We are grateful for the outpouring of condolences, kindness, and support we have received not only from family and friends but people from all walks of life.'
The pair asked people for 'respect and privacy' and urged the public to treat any speculation with 'compassion and humanity'.
Jake and Romy said they wanted their father, a legend in Hollywood, and acclaimed photographer mother, to be remembered for the 'incredible lives they lived and the love' they gave.
English (US)