First of all, don’t be sorry. Don’t be sorrowful that another legend is gone, because his legacy is here, his family was there with him at the end, and his career was beyond impressive. Don’t be sorry mainly because he lived the life he wanted, without that many regrets, and with as much laughter as one could get in a single lifetime. Carl Reiner was indeed an icon in the business and the fact that he passed way just two years shy of being a centennial is nothing to sneeze at, plus it’s something that he might actually crack a joke or two about. The former director of the Dick Van Dyke show and comedic legend was someone that many people could agree was funny without even trying as he managed to play alongside a host of the biggest names in show business and did more than hold his own for many years. In fact it can rightly be said that he likely inspired a great many people and was one of those that you might not have always seen or heard about but was right there, ready to be noticed when it was his time. He stood out more often than not, but he did so in a way that made him appear as one of the most likable characters in a production, meaning he was the guy that you wanted to pay attention to since he either seemed like a real card or just someone that might have a slew of interesting stories to tell.
Carl is going to be missed, there’s no doubt of this, but a celebration of what he did in his life and the long, successful career he had would be a more fitting tribute to this man since realistically he was all about making people laugh at times and bringing out the best in those around him. Those that knew him best would be able to add more no doubt, but for those of us that watched him on the small and big screens, he was a comedic genius that didn’t need a lot to be funny. It’s easy to admit that his act as Saul Bloom in the Ocean’s Eleven remakes was one of the most memorable performances he’d given in quite some time, as Saul was an aged, retired thief that didn’t want any of Rusty and Danny’s smooth talk at first, but was convinced when he heard the kind of payoff that he’d be getting out of it and went back on the job soon after. Saul was the kind of guy that appeared to be enjoying life but usually had something to gripe about even if it was absolutely nothing, as a lot of older men do sometimes. He was definitely the actor as he played the role he was given without fault and was convincing all the way up to his ‘death’. Now here’s a good question, how many people were following the movie closely enough that they figured out the scheme before Saul reappeared, healthy and hale once again? Obviously some people were having so much fun with the movie that they kind of missed that the Malloy brothers were practicing their same banter while Rusty, serving as the doctor at the scene, pronounced Saul as deceased.
His role as Saul Bloom lasted through two more movies, but Saul was bound and determined to stay away in the second one until he simply couldn’t, while in the third he went right along with everyone else when it was time to go after Willy Banks, played by Al Pacino. Of course in a story where one’s friend has been wronged in such a horrible way it’s usually considered justifiable payback to go after the person that did it and collect what’s due, with interest of course. Saul’s role in the the third movie was just about as involved, and it involved him getting closer to the main antagonist than any other in order to pull the wool over his eyes in a very profound manner. Saul was by far and large one of the more important characters in the show since he was one of the elder statesmen that had been there, done that, and knew just to work a con. The other one of course was Reuben, who was played Elliott Gould, but apart from financing the heists he kept his distance a lot of the time. Saul was the guy that knew how to do the job and had feet on the ground whenever it was ready to go down.
So when I say don’t feel sorry and don’t weep for Carl Reiner it’s not a demand to stifle your sorrow, as such feelings are natural and quite normal. But don’t feel sad, because his legacy is still here and the memory of what he gave to the business is bound to last for a long, long time. Rest in peace sir, you’ll be missed.
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