Something has always bothered me about romantic comedies, i.e. you rarely actually get to see the couple fall in love, you know, actually witness the growth of the bond between them. They just fall in love, but you don't really get to be there. Except when you're watching 'When Harry Met Sally'. Rob Riener made a better film from a Nora Ephron script than she ever could. No offence to her, she's just a better writer than she is director. And Meg Ryan is so much better with Billy Crystal than Tom Hanks, although I have nothing but respect for Mr.Hanks. The thing is that its not just a genuinely and consistently funny movie, it's also terribly romantic. It spans about twleve years in the lives of both Harry and Sally, from their first meeting at college. They grow and change, they like and dislike each other, they become romantically involved and then they don't. The whole thing is very engrossing and witty but never seems far fetched or fantastical. I rate this movie as a contender for cinema's best romantic comedy. Enjoy the dialogue, the charm, the music, the drama and melodrama and give praise to Rob Riener and his magnificant team who made a wonderful film. The stars have not reunited since and it is possibly for the best as it would be an extremely difficult task to repeat this kind of quality. Chemistry and genuine emtion are hard to come by in this genre, enjoy it while you can. Its available on video and DVD and is rarely edited for T.V.
A great romantic comedy that can be enjoyed by both men and women is a rare treat. This film is one of those rareties. Director Rob Reiner has us laughing at each other as well as ourselves in this story that lovingly highlights the inner workings of both sexes.
Harry and Sally(Billy Crystal/Meg Ryan) meet for the first time right after college graduation as they spend their first 18 hours together car pooling from Chicago to New York.They instantly fall for each other, BUT... neither one realizes that. Right away we see the difference of how men and women think, and how funny those differences can be. Upon reaching New York they part ways because theoretically "Men and women can't be just friends".
Over the years, they run into each other several times(destiny?),still not understanding the other's ways, but eventually become best friends, even trying to fix each other up, as they see each other through various relationships that didn't work out.Eventually they do begin to understand the other and feel themselves falling, but why ruin a good friendship with love and sex... right? How long will it take for these two to realize..."It Had To Be You"?
Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan have a magnificent on screen chemistry, and they'll have you laughing and rooting for them.
Bruno Kirby and Carrie Fisher are expert at playing the well meaning friends. There are some wonderful scenes of older couples being interviewed that will have you rolling. Rob Reiner does a brillant job of bringing us this everyday world of the gender gap.
You'll also love the soundtrack for this film. Lots of old standards, performed by Frank Sinatra, Duke Ellington and some really marvelous stuff by a very young Harry Connick Jr. Nora Ephron wrote the screenplay and was nominated for an Oscar for her outstanding work.
The DVD is great. It is in widescreen, Dolby stereo surround(2.0),the picture is beautiful with all the wonderful scenes of the changing seasons in New York, and the sound, including the music and the dialouge are pleasing. Some really nice Features are included, I very much enjoyed the "Making OF" Documentary with lots of commentary. You'll also find lots of deleted scenes that are fun to watch, you can have Reiner's commentary during the film, and There's a terrific Harry Connick Jr video. There are trailers, and French and Spanish subtitles.
"Viva La Differance!"......Laurie
Buy When Harry Met Sally... (1989) Now
As a rule I generally do not review films...if only because after attempting this before I find I'm totally inadequate! I know nothing of camera angles, dialogue or for that matter what to even look for in any given movie! I suspect I would have flunked out of Film 101! Obviously music reviews are my "forte" but since this film ranks as one of my absolute favorites than it's worthy of another attempt. Wish me luck!Rob Reiner's "When Harry Met Sally" is for me,after Woody Allen's "Hanna and Her Sisters" and Bogart's "Casablanca" one of the films that I simply need to watch over and over.These three films have, for me,such an absolute "presence" about them that is difficult to explain. As for this film it is simply is the "standard" for which other romantic comedies should be judged! Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal have such real, honest chemistry between them (which is obviously imperative in a film such as this) that when on screen together they literally jump out at you. Plus, the supporting characters, especially Carrie Fisher, playing Sally's best friend,is a joy to watch...but than again, they all are! Including Bruno Kirby,as Harry's best friend. In fact the dialogue between Billy Crystal and Bruno Kirby at the Giant's football game ranks as one of the strongest scene's in the film....if not one of the most honest!
Also, kudo's should go to the cinematography which, showing New York, in all four seasons,especially fall, is visually stunning. An absolutely beautiful film to watch! The dialogue is extremely funny, not too clever(thank-you), and above all,at times, insightful in what it has to say about relationships and how we go about this sometimes horrible ritual called dating.I know of no other movie that can make me laugh so hard at one moment and shake my head with wonder as one of the characters state something so honest,real and emotionally true that I almost cry. I may be overstating my case here but if so, than oh so slightly!
In the end, a film that I care for deeply because I care so much for the characters and one that I never tire of watching. Adding to the mix a wonderful soundtrack by Harry Connick and you have the perfect valentine.One of those few films where everything simply feels right.Ummm....now if only my dates would go so well!
Read Best Reviews of When Harry Met Sally... (1989) Here
This is one of the few movies I can watch over and over and never tire of seeing it. It is so true to life about relaionships betwen men and women. Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan are the perfect actors to play Harry Burns and Sally Albright, the completely opposite and mismatched couple who are actually the perfect match for each other. Billy Crystal's unique humor shines through, and Meg Ryan is the only actress who could play Sally. Bruno Kirby and Carrie Fisher are great as Harry and Sally's best friends. The dialauge between Harry and Sally is wonderfull throughout the fillm. And the diner scene is one of the funniest I've ever seen in a movie. It all but steals the entire picture. This is ,hands-down, a modern romantic comedy classic that everyone should see.Want When Harry Met Sally... (1989) Discount?
This is nothing more than the original release of the DVD of the classic film repackaged to include a compilation of music from the decade in which it was released. The worst thing is that none of the music on the CD has anything to do with the movie itself. I'm not even sure that any of the songs were released around the time that the movie was in theaters. Had it been the actual soundtrack of the film included we might've had something to get mildly excited over. There's also a 'time capsule' booklet with events that happened during the 80's. There are much better ways of learning 80's history than with a 16 page leaflet.Skip this product entirely, and instead try the 'Collector's Edition.' It is far superior with remastered 5.1 audio sound, exceptional audio commentary and a number of featurettes on the making of the film. The only thing better would be to see a remastered version on Blu-Ray (hint, hint Sony!).
0 comments:
Post a Comment