Film Review: When Harry Met Sally

Starring: Billy Crystal, Meg Ryan, Carrie Fisher

Director: Rob Reiner

Released: 1989

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Box Office: $92 Million

When Harry met Sally follows the story of shockingly when Harry met Sally. The film takes us through the journey that is the development of the friendship of Harry Burns an opinionated, rambling know it all and Sally Albright an incredibly organised, slightly snobby, control freak from their first meeting when they travel from Chicago to New York having just graduated college. We instantly are shown the differences in their personalities which sets the tone for the rest of the film. 

This is a romantic comedy classic that I love to pop on when I want an easy watch. I immediately fell in love with the storyline as well as the characters, I think they were written so well and bounce off of each other really well. 

I love the concept of the story as we see their interactions through the years and how they go from strangers, to acquaintances, to friends and eventually lovers. As well as getting to see how the world around them as well as their lives evolve as well. I like we get to see Harry go through his relationships and how he deals with his divorce (eventually with Sallys help). As well as getting to see how Sally navigates her life and relationships. 

I think having real couples tell their love stories throughout was a good choice by Reiner, as it tugs at the audiences heart strings and makes us root more for the couple as we want another love story. 

I think my favourite scene would have to be cliche ‘big declaration of love’ scene. In which our title characters are not on speaking terms, Sally is at a New Years Eve party and Harry races to the party to declare his feelings for her. Sally doesn’t believe him and thinks he’s just saying it because he is lonely, but when he goes into detail on why he loves her and utters the famous line “when you realise you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.”

I think the way they portrayed this scene was perfect. You have Harry rambling as he often does but this time is rambling about Sally and all the quirky and albeit sometimes annoying things she does which again make the audience root for them. I also like that they have this all going on during the countdown and the its not until Auld Lang Syne comes on that they share a kiss. Then Harry goes on to ramble about not understanding the meaning of the song and I feel like its just  the perfect ending. 

I would highly recommend this film, its available on Netflix so if you have some time this weekend, pop it on!