Written by: Nora Ephron
Starring: Billy Crystal, Meg Ryan, Carrie Fisher, Bruno Kirby, Steven Ford, Lisa Jane Persky
Rating: [5/5]
Genre films, as a rule, follow similar tropes in the way they tell their stories. Romantic comedies, for example, present two individuals who have a meet-cute, find an attraction, days of happiness followed by a scene that breaks them apart and leads to their eventual conclusion where they end up together. While these stories tend to feel formulaic, the ones that stand out deliver something so impactful and wondrous that makes the journey all the more enjoyable, and When Harry Met Sally… undoubtedly provides that in spades affirming it as the greatest romantic comedy of all time.
After graduating from the University of Chicago, Sally Albright (Meg Ryan) and Harry Burns (Billy Crystal) rideshare their way to New York City where they will begin their adult lives. On the drive, they discuss many topics, including the theory of Harry who believes men and women cannot be friends because of the sexual tension that inevitably will exist between them. While they do not hit it off at first, they somehow continue to run into each other in the city that never sleeps.
One could go down a whole list of what makes When Harry Met Sally… such a perfect film looking at the humor on display, the exceptional writing, and the brilliant actors working at their best. Each of these will get their due but what separates this film amongst others in this genre comes from the beautiful bond these two build with each other. In the opening car ride, they have a lengthy discussion about the impossibility of a man and a woman remaining platonic friends and as much as Harry stands firm on this, the relationship he builds with Sally completely contradicts it. These two build a friendship with each other that warms the heart, which makes the inevitable elements of romance that will brew between them all the more impactful. We do not root for these two individuals simply because the plot dictates it but because they’re genuinely a wonderful pair.
Starting out with them graduating college, this film takes several jumps forward to the different instances in which these two run into each other. At times years pass by between each interaction and with that, we get to see these characters grow on an emotional level. The Harry we see in the opening car ride feels quite different from the man who has since experienced life and has made changes to the way he views things. Harry and Sally move away from their juvenile viewpoints and attitudes and act like two adults who love each other as individuals and not necessarily in a romantic manner. Their friendship shines as they spend nights watching movies together from their separate apartments and help each other through breakups. A particular scene truly takes the cake in displaying what makes their bond so beautiful. In one of their bust-up fights where they argue, Harry says something that truly hurts Sally’s feelings. In a moment where most romantic comedies zig in having a character stand their ground, this film zags in having Harry pause for a moment, apologize, and embrace as a form of reconciliation. Something so small but incredibly powerful in showing how much these two care for each other. It sets the foundation for everything that eventually comes romantically and it’s ever-important.
So much of the credit when looking at the success of this film comes down to the legendary Nora Ephron and the screenplay she put together for this film. Undoubtedly one of my favorites ever for many of the reasons outlined above in establishing the relationship between these two. However, the dialogue she crafts and the humor she embeds into it make for so many hilarious bits of conversation. This ranges not only in the conversations Harry and Sally have together but also in the other important figures in their lives. Ephron mixes the sadness these two characters possess in different moments of their life but still finds a way to find the humor in it, which ultimately allows for such a realistic look at the way things go for everyone. A pitch-perfect screenplay and one that delivers more nuggets of greatness I pick up on with each subsequent rewatch.
As Harry and Sally go through their promenades around the city, their costuming gives this comforting feeling that further endears us to these characters. All of the sweaters and hats and variance of outfits would make anyone fall in love with New York and how it can bring about friendship and romance. Everything Meg Ryan sported as Sally definitely showed her fashion interests and helped define these characters as even more lovable.
With all of the support of the screenplay, direction, and costuming, this film would not work to the degree it does without the wonderful performances of Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan. Crystal has the tall order of portraying a bit of an icy guy. One could not blame anyone for disliking Harry when initially meeting him because he comes off as quite the abrasive figure. Quick-talking and very forward in the way he thinks, the way Crystal manages to maintain this humanity as we acquiesce to his natural charm. Then we have Meg Ryan, who puts in my definitive favorite performance in a romantic comedy. Harboring everything one could want from a lead character, she’s simply divine in this film. From the diner scene where they discuss whether or not women fake orgasms to the moments where she cries her eyes out from breakups, she absolutely eats up her screen time. She serves as the beating heart of the movie and does so much to cement her as such a lovable person. Not without any flaws but fully formed in a manner that continually warms the heart.
The presence of New York, the wonderful supporting performance by Carrie Fisher, and many more aspects continue to support my initial claim of When Harry Met Sally… sitting firmly atop the pantheon of not only romantic comedies but films as a medium. By the time we reach the end and the famous monologue by Harry, we go through this journey of love and friendship with these two characters. We fall in love with what these two mean to each other and the way they build out their love from the genuine platonic to something more conventional. Every viewing of this film further cements my love for it and it remains unmatched for what it manages to achieve.
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