DOUBLE TALK
Reuniting for ‘Destination Wedding’, the couple talk about their 30-year friendship and surviving the ’90s
Winona Ryder and Keanu Reeves’ 30-year friendship
Winona Ryder and Keanu Reeves have been friends for 30 years, since before their superstardom in the ’ 90s. “We visit. We do things—motorcycle rides,” says Reeves, who turns 54 this week. Ryder, 46, has even joked that they might be married, since a real-life Romanian priest presided over their wedding scene in Bram Stoker’s Dracula in 1992. Now starring in the comedy Destination Wedding, the pals reminisce. When did you first meet? REEVES We met in like ’ 87, ’ 88 at one of the early Independent Spirit Awards at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. RYDER It wasn’t televised. There were folding chairs. Buck Henry was the MC, and we gave out the award for Best Supporting Actor.
What were your first impressions?
REEVES She was awesome. But you were an untouchable to me. RYDER Oh, come on. I was not! REEVES You were, too! I wasn’t, I didn’t, I couldn’t!
What do fans recognise you the most for these days?
RYDER Probably Stranger Things. I do still get Beetlejuice, which was so long ago. REEVES For me, it’s John Wick. You’re in a generational classic. You’re a legend. RYDER There’s all this nostalgia for the ’ 90s! But when you lived through it, it’s very different. And it’s not like calling you [pretends to phone]: “Hey, Reeves.” REEVES “What’s up, Ryder?” RYDER “I’m just feeling really iconic today.” What are your favourite films of each other’s? REEVES You know what I saw recently? I was with my goddaughter and her mother, and every year they watch Little Women. But then also [I love] Heathers and Beetlejuice. RYDER For me, River’s Edge is a masterpiece. Prince of Pennsylvania I love. And Parenthood. REEVES You like that one? You like the oldies, but the goodies. You like the young, unbridled Reeves ...
How do you feel about destination weddings?
RYDER I’ve never been to one. REEVES I can’t believe that. With all the people that you know. [I’ve been to] Uruguay, France, Mexico. Would you like to go to a destination wedding? RYDER You have to fly yourself there. You have to be on top of that, [plus] a gift? That’s a lot.