When Harry Met Sally has completed well over three decades, but it continues to be that rare romantic comedy that has withstood the test of time. The tale of two opposites — cynical Harry Burns and happy-go-lucky Sally Albright — and how they find their way to each other is timeless and enjoyed to date by people worldwide.
Often proclaimed the best rom-com of all time, When Harry Met Sally has plenty of elements in it that are timeless, like the chemistry and relationship between the two protagonists, as well as the writing by Nora Ephron. The appeal of this NYC movie is enduring, and it will likely be highly acclaimed thirty more years from now.
The Chemistry Between Billy Crystal And Meg Ryan
The most likable characters of When Harry Met Sally was the leading couple, and that's because Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan played them to perfection. The chemistry between the two was palpable right from their initial scenes in the car as Sally drove him back to New York, and it only became more lovable as the years passed by.
Without the compatibility of the leading pair, the movie would fall flat. Crystal and Ryan performed their respective personalities beautifully, really bringing forth the "opposites attract" formula between the two.
The Interview Style Cut-Ins
The story of Harry and Sally is perfect by itself, but the interviews of the senior married couples added the right amount of warmth and coziness to the movie. Viewers got to hear adorable mini-stories of how these couples met and enjoy their happy endings before the final, grand one.
These cut-ins are also an incredibly well-received type of storytelling, often seen in hit shows like The Office and Modern Family. It adds a new dimension to the narrative and a lot more depth to it.
The Slow Burn
The slow-burn romance had always been in fashion, and it doesn't get slower than the 12 years and 2 months that it took for Harry and Sally to get together. Audiences loved watching them hate each other with a passion, then accepting each other, becoming fast friends, and then simmer with unsaid desire for each other.
Friends-turned-couple movies are countless, but When Harry Met Sally got it right with the distinctive traits that both of them had. They loved each other but weren't afraid to be real with each other, they disagreed but found common ground, and accepted each other as they were.
Sally's Wardrobe
Since When Harry Met Sally was made in 1989, it has had some fantastic fashion in it. The movie was sartorially ahead of its time, with many of Sally's daily wear outfits being androgynous and unisex. Her pantsuits with bowties were especially great and can be worn by anyone.
Even her high-waist jeans and sweatshirt looks stand the test of time, as these are ensembles that people are wearing in 2022. Sally's closet was worth stealing.
It's Realistic About Love
The best element of the movie is that it doesn't make up unrealistic obstacles, like distance or one-half of the couple getting married to someone else, or infidelity. It's incredibly human and realistic because the things stopping Harry and Sally from getting together are the fear of vulnerability, a lack of trust, immaturity, and an ego.
Emotions form the core of relationships, and the reason why the couple are unable to get together sooner is because of all these mundane, everyday feelings, as opposed to manufactured hurdles.
The Comedic Gold
The most memorable parts of the movie are certain scenes and dialogue, because they're comedic gold, from the 80s till today. Think the diner scene where Sally fakes an orgasm with its classic punchline, the four-way call between the lead and their friends, and the East European accents at the Met.
The sense of humor in the movie is ageless, and the snappy dialogue is repeated to date when fans speak of the movie. The movie nailed the comedy into a romantic comedy.
It's Comforting
If there is a movie that people will rewatch for comfort, it is this Nora Ephron masterpiece. Funny and romantic in the right measures, When Harry Met Sally is the comfort food equivalent of cinema, and fans would curl up with this movie at any time.
Full of lighthearted moments, witty banter, breathless romance, and enigmatic leads, it has everything that a viewer wants in a movie on a cold night, or after a beach day.
The Romance Is Timeless
When Harry Met Sally remains timeless because of how relatable the bond between Burns and Albright is. Anyone who has been in a relationship would recognize the emotions that the two felt, whether it was the initial hatred for each other or the later inability to start a relationship out of fear.
This romance will hold up another 30 years from today because it depicts the complexities of human nature, and how sometimes it is people themselves who complicate a simple bond.
Harry And Sally Communicate With Each Other
There is little stock given to just how much the leading pair communicates with each other, but that is one of the defining features of the film. When Sally feels Harry is projecting his emotions on others, she tells him off, or when she feels he's giving himself too much credit for his sexual prowess, she shows him how he could be wrong.
Even when he declares his love for her at the end, she lets him know that his loneliness and grandstand did nothing for her, and he had to tell her in words what made him love her. The couple kept it real with each other, which is a highlight of the movie.
It Was The Blueprint For Future Rom-Coms
If one comes down to the brass tacks When Harry Met Sally forms the backbone of every romantic comedy made since its release.
A girl and boy meeting over several years, the pretty views of New York, the four-way phone call, and the final monologue have been replicated in rom-coms like Always Be My Maybe, Someone Great, Mean Girls, and 10 Things I Hate About You, amongst others. It was a true game-changer for the genre and became a blueprint for future movies.