MovieChat Forums > Sleepless in Seattle (1993) Discussion > The Empire State Building - Little Annoy...

The Empire State Building - Little Annoying Things...

posted 15 years ago by KatrinaW
36 replies | jump to latest

I know it's a movie, but how unbelievable is it that the characters in this movie can just take the elevator up to the observation deck of the Empire State Building, without having to either wait or pay?

On any given day, at any given time, there's a huge, long, long, long (and I mean long) line to get up to the top of the building, and it's quite expensive as well. It's a major tourist trap! And, once you get up there, it's usually tremendously crowded, and you have to wait for a spot at the wall, so that you can look out over New York. Plus, the deck doesn't close at night; that's prime viewing time, because of all the city lights.

I know, I know... I need to get over it, as I know it was just for the movie. But it's like when they show a movie or TV character driving somewhere in a large city, and then finding a parking spot right in front of the building. It's one of my biggest pet peeves.

Whew, I feel much better having gotten that off my chest!

[–] WhoisThePrisoner1 12 years ago

The entire movie was constructed of extremely LAZY writing from beginning to end, and filled to the brim with totally unnecessary flaws and contrivances (the same elements that kept the movie from being the epic, classic romantic comedy it could have been).

And btw, "lazy writing" defenders deny it exists for numerous reason, but mainly because they aren't very smart/creative themselves, and can't see any other way except the specific way they have already been spoonfed the garbage.

BUT after a few minutes into this film, one must realize that one needs to turn their brain completely off (as much as possible), and try only to be led by ones heart (and funnybone). It will then be an enjoyable experience. It was a great movie in that sense.

[–] whitespirit26 12 years ago

Oh Brian, grow up. It wouldn't have been difficult, people, to show them waiting in a line briefly in the film.

[–] itzagvn 12 years ago

We were in NYC a few years ago and went to visit the Empire State building. After standing in line to get tickets then standing in line for the elevators, we finally started ascending to the top. I looked at the group of people on the elevator & said "I want to know how Meg Ryan got up here so quickly!" and there were quite a few folks who chuckled & said they were thinking the same thing. It was pretty amusing!

[–] Reephaman 12 years ago

There were more security checks than at an airport, from what I remember!

One thing that's intrigued me. The lift (sorry, elevator) attendant is really old, too old IMHO to be working there. Is it a nice twist in the movie that he's the same actor from the Cary Grant film reprising his role, or is he just old?

[–] itzagvn 12 years ago

I believe he's the same actor from the Cary Grant movie, Nora Ephron loved the idea of him playing that part. What a lovely older gentleman!

[–] venturaa 12 years ago

How about that it's supposed to be mid February? It would be FREEZING.

Snakes. Why'd it have to be snakes?

[–] BlondeVixen 11 years ago

< I looked at the group of people on the elevator & said "I want to know how Meg Ryan got up here so quickly!" and there were quite a few folks who chuckled & said they were thinking the same thing. It was pretty amusing!>

Wait.....she went up when they were closing for the night, right? So she wouldn't have had a line to wait in, since they weren't allowing anyone else up.

[–] Piperson 11 years ago

How about movies set in LA that don't show bumper-to-bumper freeway traffic?

[–] p-allan-duggan 11 years ago

Really? It surprises you that there isn't a line when the trip to the top is closed for the night?

[–] FendyWahyu 10 years ago

Does it even matter?

[–] IAmASquirrel 9 years ago

Yeah, it was just as unbelievable as when Bruce Willis and his buddies landed on that asteroid to drill into it to separate into two pieces.

[–] AsUSeeMe299 9 years ago

I know I'm replying very late compared to the original post, but saw that others posted the end of last year so I figured I'd throw in my two cents.

I took my son to NYC in early February one year and we got up to the top of the Empire State Building fairly quickly. The longest we had to wait was for one of the elevators, maybe a couple of minutes or so, because of how long the elevator took, and not because of a line.

When we got up there, yes, there were others up there, but there was plenty of space all around the entire perimeter to view the city from anywhere we wanted, with no waiting for a spot at all.

And yes, it was grey, dreary, and cold!

[–] KatrinaW 9 years ago

OP here; I just watched this again with my daughter, who had never seen it. I looked up the admission price, and it's now $32 for an adult, $26 for a child, and the observation deck is open from 8 am to 2 am.

I guess it's just one of those niggling little things in movies that I have to let go.

[–] p-allan-duggan 8 years ago

When you watched it again you didn't notice it was closed for the night and so there wouldn't have been a line?