No. 18 - When Harry Met Sally... (1989)

Can men and women be friends or does sex always get in the way?

Rated: R (Restricted) for adult situations and language

Director: Rob Reiner; Screenplay: Nora Ephron

Starring: Billy Crystal, Meg Ryan, Burno Kirby, Carrie Fisher, Steven Ford, Lisa Jane Persky, Michelle Nicastro, Harley Kozak

Movie Introduction: In 1977, college graduates Harry Burns (Crystal) and Sally Albright (Ryan) share a contentious car ride from Chicago to New York, during which they argue about whether men and women can ever truly be strictly platonic friends. Ten years later, by chance, Harry and Sally meet again in a bookstore, and in the company of their respective best friends, Jess (Kirby) and Marie (Fisher). They become plutonic friends without sex becoming an issue between them.

Defining Moment: "I'll have what she's having."

Harry and Sally are having lunch at a small diner. Harry insists that he knows if a woman is faking it or not. Sally replies that he can’t possibly know that, for sure. Harry again disagrees. Sally then proceeds, much to Harry's discomfort, to prove him wrong.

Something subtle you might have missed:  nobody wants to be Harry

When casting Harry, director Reiner wanted Tom Hanks, Richard Dreyfuss, Michael Keaton and Albert Brooks. They all turned the part down.

Memorable Quotes:

"No man can be friends with a woman he finds attractive. He always wants to have sex with her." - Harry Burns

"You made a woman meow?" - Jess

"You see? That is just like you, Harry. You say things like that, and you make it impossible for me to hate you." – Sally Albright

Dad's Review:

The romantic comedy - It’s a staple of movie-going since the days of old. For there is no better place to snuggle up with your significant other than a dark theater. Women love Rom Com’s more than men. That is to say, more than men are willing to admit. I’ve been told that I am “sensitive”, and “in touch with my feminine side”, so that frees me to admit that I do, in fact, enjoy this type of movie.

However, like any film, it has to have a great story, well-developed characters, and be unique in some way. It is no small feat to be completely unique. Seriously, how man original ideas are there?  As I finally view some of the older film classics, and I mean films that I have never seen, invariably I realize that I recognize the plot. This unfairly taints my opinion of the movie, when in some cases, the earlier film introduced that idea, or elements therein, first.  It is the later film, that re-cycled the idea.

This is not the case with When Harry Met Sally. It is refreshingly unique, and as a result, it is rightfully considered a cinema classic.

The brain-trust who pulled this story together was the combined efforts of three people: Nora Ephron who wrote the story; Rob Reiner who directed the film; and Billy Crystal who assisted with the screenplay and stars in the film. This character study is packed with personal experiences from this dynamic trio. Nora wrote Sally based on herself and her friends. Carl enhanced the script after his divorce and a string of disastrous relationships. Much of Nora’s witty dialogue is modeled after witnessing the long-time friendship between Reiner and Crystal. That's right, the witty banter between two men.

This film is more about "relationship" than "romance". Yet that makes is even more romantic. It feels very honest. Our story's couple do not meet and fall instantly in love (as many films would have it). At first she hates him. Then they become friends. Then they have sympathy sex. Then she hates him again.

It's real, funny, painful, but always interesting. If you have been in a long-term relationship of any kind, it will hit home, and make you laugh.

These relationship questions are explored:

• Why are men pigs until they meet the right person?
• Can men and women truly be friends if the man finds the woman attractive?
• How do you know if a woman is faking it?
• Can a man make a woman meow?

Ponder these points and you will learn a lot about men, women and the space between them.

In case you are wondering, the Katz Diner scene’s “finale” was actress Meg Ryan’s idea. The scene's very famous final quote was suggested by Crystal. Portraying the customer who utters it is Carl’s mother, Estelle Reiner. Today, a sign hangs above the very table where the scene was filmed. It reads: “Where Harry Met Sally…Hope You Have What She Had! Enjoy!”.

Onto No. 19...The Spreadsheet