The violent death of Rob Reinerone of the most important directors of American cinema of the last forty years, and his wife Michele Singerfound lifeless in their Brentwood villa in Los Angeles, has shaken the entire world of cinema and opened a mystery that the authorities are trying to clarify. The two, aged 78 and 68 respectively, had stab wounds. The Los Angeles police have started a murder investigation: the door of the house showed no signs of forced entry and, at the moment, there have been no arrests.
According to investigators, several family members will be interviewed, but no one has been questioned as a suspect. His son Nick, 32, was also interviewed by investigators. The alarm was raised on Sunday afternoon, but the news only spread several hours later, shaking the world of Hollywood.
Rob Reiner was a central figure of American cinema, capable like few others of crossing different genres successfully. After starting his career as a television actor (his famous role in the sitcom All in the Family( Reiner established himself as a director in the 1980s, making films that have become true classics.
With Stand By Me – Memory of a summer (1986) told the story of friendship and the transition to adulthood with an intimate and universal gaze. Fantastic story (1987) has become a cult capable of combining adventure, irony and romance, while When Harry Met Sally… (1989) redefined the sentimental comedy, leaving a lasting mark on the collective imagination. With Misery must not die (1990) e Code of honor (1992), Reiner has also demonstrated his ability to move into psychological thrillers and legal cinema, working with some of Hollywood’s greatest actors.
In addition to directing, Reiner was also a prominent producer. He was one of the founders of Castle Rock Entertainment, a company that made films such as The Shawshank Redemption, Michael Clayton, City Skies and many other successful works, helping to shape American cinema from the 1990s onwards.
Son of the actor and comedian Carl Reiner, Rob Reiner inherited an important artistic tradition, but he managed to build an autonomous and recognizable career. In recent years he was also known for his political and civil commitment, as a critical voice within the film industry.
Now, while investigators try to shed light on a still obscure story, the weight of a loss remains that affects not only a family, but an entire season of American cinema. The mystery surrounding the death of Rob Reiner and his wife is thus intertwined with the legacy of an author who told, on the big screen, human relationships in many of their deepest and most contradictory forms.
