In 2016, Rob Reiner Directed Being Charlie, A Film Written By His Son, Nick
The film Being Charlie was written by Nick Reiner and his friend Matt Elisofon, and directed by Nick’s father, the legendary Rob Reiner. It premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 15, 2015. It was then later released in theaters on May 6, 2016.
The film is considered a semi-autobiographical movie, based on Nick’s experiences as a heroin addict.
While doing press for the film, Nick revealed he struggled with drug addiction for several years with his “darkest” years being from ages 15-19. He was 22 when the movie premiered.
During those years, he was in and out of 17 different rehab facilities. Nick’s parents, Michele and Rob Reiner, just wanted to help him, so they told him he could either go to rehab, or he could live on the streets, a similar ultimatum that Charlie in the movie was given by his parents.
Nick chose rehab, but after 17 stints, he chose to live on the street instead stay in a treatment facility.
In 2016, Nick told People, “I was homeless in Maine. I was homeless in New Jersey. I was homeless in Texas. I spent nights on the street. I spent weeks on the street. It was not fun. If I wanted to do it my way and not go to the programs they were suggesting, then I had to be homeless.”
While in one of the facilities, Nick met Matt Elisofon and they began discussing their lives and started writing a script for a 30-minute TV series about their experiences. At Rob’s suggestion, they turned that script into an hour-long program, and then decided to write a screenplay to turn it into a movie.
To promote the movie, Rob and Nick took part in an interview with Build, where their father-son relationship was put on full display. Looking back now, the interview is quite eerie.
Rob admitted that he trusted all the people who worked at the facilities, who told his and his wife that Nick was a liar and was trying to manipulate them. He said he chose to listen to them, instead of listen to his son.
This feeling was written into the end of Being Charlie, with Charlie’s dad, played by The Princess Bride’s Cary Elwes, telling his son, “Charlie, I know you’re angry at me and probably don’t want to hear this right now but I do love you. I’m sorry. Every expert with a desk and a diploma told me I had to be tough at you but every time we sent you away to another one of those programs I saw you slipping away from us. And all I could tell myself is that I’d rather have you alive and hating me than dead on the streets. So what do you want me to do? Tell me what to do.”
Rob And Michele Were Killed On Sunday, December 14
On Sunday, December 14, news broke that famed director and actor Rob Reiner and his beloved wife Michele were found dead in their Los Angeles home. As more information became known, it was revealed that they had apparent stab wounds.
Nick was arrested hours later and charged with two counts of first-degree murder. He has been held without bail. Although he did not appear in court on Tuesday (Dec. 16) due to not being “medically cleared” for transport, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman revealed Nick also “faces a special allegation” for multiple murders with a dangerous and deadly weapon.
He noted that the charges carry a “maximum sentence of life in prison without possibility of parole or the death penalty.”
Nick will be due in court to issue a plea of guilty or not guilty, though we are not sure when.
Nick Robinson Reacts To Rob’s Death
Being Charlie starred Nick Robinson, who was around 18 years old when he filmed the movie. Robinson was still pretty new to the entertainment business when he booked the titular role. He had been a main cast member on the ABC Family sitcom Melissa & Joey for four years, and starred in the movie Kings of Summer in 2013, so his career was still pretty fresh.
Taking to his Instagram Stories on Monday (Dec. 14), ENews reports that Robinson paid tribute to Rob Reiner.
“RIP Rob Reiner,” Robinson wrote. “He showed me so much kindness and grace as a young actor. An incredible artist with such a capacity for empathy and warmth.”
He did not make a statement about Nick Reiner’s involvement in his father’s death.
Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the entire Reiner family.