Rob Reiner on ‘the Greatest Single Performance’ in U.S. Cinema

Rob Reiner was well aware that the Christian nationalist movement had achieved considerable political clout.

But he didn’t realize just how much until he started producing the documentary “God & Country.”

Inspired by Katherine Stewart’s book “The Power Worshippers,” the film gives voice to prominent Christian leaders concerned about not only what the movement is doing to the United States, but also to Christianity itself.

“We saw the success that they had in being able to overturn Roe v. Wade in promoting very conservative judges that got onto the Supreme Court,” said Reiner, 76, who is adamant that the film is not meant to be an attack on Christian communities in any way.

In a video call from Los Angeles, Reiner, who will begin shooting a sequel to “This Is Spinal Tap” in March, reminisced about his movies “Stand by Me” and “The Princess Bride,” and spoke about why he can never get too much of “It’s a Wonderful Life,” blues guitarists and Marlon Brando. These are edited excerpts from the conversation.

1

My Wife and Kids

That’s the most important to me. There’s that joke, “Nobody on their death bed ever said, ‘I should have spent more time at the office.’” Nobody says that.

2

My Dad

I was lucky to have a man in my life who conducted his career in a way that was very honorable and decent. I saw how he treated other people, and I saw how he handled his fame. People have always asked me, “Did he sit down and give you advice?” And I said, “No, he never gave me any advice. He just lived a certain way, and that was the best advice I could have gotten.”