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...
Set against the backdrop of late 20th-century New York, "When Harry Met Sally..." explores the complexities of male-female friendship and whether sex inevitably alters such a bond. The film traces the relationship between Harry Burns and Sally Albright over more than a decade, beginning with their argumentative post-college road trip and continuing through various encounters in New York City. Their evolving dynamic, marked by wit and disagreement, forms the core of the narrative.
Dramedy elements intertwine with the romantic comedy structure. The story is punctuated by vignettes of older couples recounting their own relationship histories, offering a broader perspective on love and lasting partnerships. The film uses these interstitials to comment on the various stages and challenges of long-term commitment. Its progression from initial dislike to an eventual, complicated romance uses an extended timeline to illustrate the gradual development of their connection.
The film's humor often comes from its sharp, dialogue-driven exchanges and the situations arising from Harry and Sally's differing views on relationships and intimacy. These conversations, sometimes awkward, sometimes profound, delve into themes of emotional vulnerability and the search for compatibility. The narrative structure, spanning several years, avoids a simplistic, immediate resolution, instead depicting a more realistic, drawn-out process of two individuals finding their way to each other.
Why you might be searching for When Harry Met Sally...
People search for "When Harry Met Sally..." due to its memorable scenes, such as the famous diner moment, and its exploration of friendship and romance. Queries also relate to the film's New York City setting, its holiday themes, and its dialogue about male-female relationships.
What reviewers are saying
A viewer noted the film lived up to its reputation, enjoying its use of time jumps and praising Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan's performances, along with strong support from Carrie Fisher and Bruno Kirby.
Read the full reviewAnother review stated that without its iconic diner scene, the film might be a standard romantic comedy, finding it heavy on dialogue and too predictable despite witty moments and chemistry between the leads.
Read the full reviewOne viewer found the film's premise and execution tedious, describing it as a "nonsensical film" that failed to be humorous and did not make them care about the characters' journey to happiness.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about finding and identifying movies
You can stream "When Harry Met Sally..." on Max. It is also available to rent or buy on platforms like Amazon, Apple TV, Google Play, and YouTube source.
"When Harry Met Sally..." is not based on a single true story, but writer Nora Ephron drew heavily from real-life conversations and experiences of director Rob Reiner and herself, as well as Ephron's friend and co-producer Andy Scheinman, while developing the script source. Reiner himself had recently divorced and spent months interviewing members of his crew to gather perspectives on relationships, which influenced the characters' dialogue.
At the end of "When Harry Met Sally...", Harry realizes he loves Sally and rushes to tell her at a New Year's Eve party. He delivers a speech about all the things he loves about her, and despite Sally's initial skepticism and anger, they kiss. The film concludes with them, now married, recounting their journey to the officiant, emphasizing their 12 years of friendship before finally getting together source.
"When Harry Met Sally..." is widely considered a classic romantic comedy and is often praised for its witty dialogue, realistic portrayal of relationships, and strong performances from Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan source. It holds a 91% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes with critics calling it a "tender, funny, and timeless romantic comedy" source.