When Harry Met Sally (1989)
The beginning of a beautiful friendship
Starring: Billy Crystal, Meg Ryan, Carrie Fisher, Bruno Kirby, Steven Ford, Harley Jane Kozak, Kevin Rooney, Michelle Nicastro
Director: Rob Reiner
Running Time: 96 minutes
US MPAA rating: N/AUK BBFC rating: 15
Comedy, Romance
On DVD One of the best things about "When Harry Met Sally" is that when Harry DOES actually meet Sally for the first time, there's not the slightest hint of any lazy love-at-first-sight shenanigans unfolding. In fact, the pair of them practically hate each other, thus saving us from an hour and a half of gushing sentimentality and all-out lovey-doveyness.
Instead, this much-adored (and perhaps a tad over-rated) Rob Reiner rom-com spans the 11 year period it takes professional shmuck Billy Crystal's Harry to realise his true feelings for Meg Ryan as waiter's nightmare Sally. Their journey is littered with near-Seinfeldian humour and there's a quirky yet realistic feel to the characters which gives them an instant likeability.
The pair float in and out of each other's lives, eventually becoming close friends before the inevitable happens - that's right, Sally brutally murders Harry in cold blood with a giant chainsaw. Actually, that last part isn't true - just my little joke. But it's not too difficult to work out where all the strolls through the park and late night phone calls are leading.
"When Harry Met Sally" has gained near-legendary status for its' light-hearted look at friendship and luuurrrve, and features Crystal at his peak and Ryan at her least irritating. Director Reiner was working on the back of the success of "The Princess Bride" (which also featured Crystal), and you can see many of the same comedy techniques coming into play, if in a slightly more nicey-nicey fashion. A nice touch is provided in the form of "talking head"-style interviews with various loved-up wrinklies, shown between the movie's several leaps forward in time.
DVD Extras: Original trailer, "How Harry Met Sally" documentary, a less-than-exciting audio commentary with Rob Reiner, "It Had To Be You" music video and deleted scenes.
It's Got: Meg Ryan getting over-excited in a restaurant.
It Needs: To have included in the movie the deleted scene where Crystal shoves grapes in his mouth and pretends to be Marlon Brando. Well, we've all done it at one point or another.
Alternatives: Sleepless In Seattle, You've Got Mail, The Princess Bride
Summary: A nice, easy-going and sporadically chucklesome rom-com that thankfully isn't quite as gushy as Meg Ryan's more recent efforts with Tom Hanks.
Review by Gary Panton
Review Date: 20th June 2003
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External Links
When Harry Met Sally at the IMDB
