When Harry Met Sally... (1989)
During their travel from Chicago to New York, Harry and Sally debate whether or not sex ruins a friendship between a man and a woman. Eleven years later, and they're still no closer to finding the answer.
Details
Budget
$16,000,000
Rating
7/10 (4173 votes)
Status
Released
Production Companies
Castle Rock Entertainment, Nelson Entertainment
About When Harry Met Sally...
The 1989 film "When Harry Met Sally..." explores the complexities of male-female friendships, specifically addressing whether sex inevitably complicates such relationships. Over eleven years, Harry (Billy Crystal) and Sally (Meg Ryan) repeatedly cross paths, initially as acquaintances, then as friends, and eventually navigating romantic feelings. The movie uses time jumps to illustrate the evolution of their bond as they experience different relationships and life stages.
Directed by Rob Reiner and written by Nora Ephron, the film is known for its sharp dialogue and memorable scenes. It blends comedy, romance, and drama to portray a realistic yet humorous look at modern relationships. The narrative relies heavily on witty exchanges between the leads, supported by the performances of Carrie Fisher and Bruno Kirby as their best friends. The story unfolds against the backdrop of New York City, which serves as a recurring setting for their encounters.
"When Harry Met Sally..." has earned a place as a notable romantic comedy, receiving positive critical reception with high ratings on Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic. Its influence on the genre is evident, with its exploration of themes like friendship evolving into love, and the often-debated question of whether men and women can truly be just friends. The film's enduring appeal lies in its relatable characters and insightful observations about human connection.
Why you might be searching for When Harry Met Sally...
People often search for "When Harry Met Sally..." because of its iconic diner scene, the memorable dialogue about male-female friendships, and the charming performances by Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan. Its New York City setting and holiday themes, particularly New Year's Eve, also make it a popular search.
What reviewers are saying
One reviewer noted that they had heard a lot about the film over time, particularly the famous Katz's Delicatessen scene, but found the actual plot to be more substantial than expected, appreciating the use of time jumps throughout the story.
Read the full reviewA reviewer suggested that aside from its famous diner scene and the follow-up line, the film might otherwise be a fairly standard romantic comedy with extensive dialogue, focusing on the long-term relationship between Harry and Sally as they grapple with the impact of sex on their friendship.
Read the full reviewOne reviewer found the film to be tedious, describing its exploration of everyday existence as sleep-inducing and its attempts at humor unsuccessful, ultimately feeling uninterested in whether Harry and Sally ended up together.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about finding and identifying movies
You can stream "When Harry Met Sally..." on FuboTV, Paramount+ Premium, Paramount+ Essential, and Paramount+ Amazon Channel. It's also available to buy or rent on Amazon Video, Apple TV, and Fandango At Home, and is currently playing in select theaters like Harkins Theatres justwatch.com.
Yes, "When Harry Met Sally..." is inspired by the real-life friendship between director Rob Reiner and writer Nora Ephron collider.com. Ephron based the characters of Sally on herself and Harry on Reiner, incorporating elements of their friendship and personalities into the film collider.com.
After Harry and Sally have sex, their friendship cools. At a New Year's Eve party, Harry realizes he loves Sally and runs to the party she is attending, declaring his feelings. Sally initially resists, but Harry convinces her by listing the things he loves about her. They marry three months later, 12 years after their first meeting en.wikipedia.org.
"When Harry Met Sally..." is a classic romantic comedy netflix.com. It is widely praised for its humor and exploration of male-female friendships, and was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry en.wikipedia.org.