When Harry Met Sally [1989]

On the DVD: There's an excellent 33-minute documentary made in 2000 which interviews all the key players talking candidly not so much about how the film was made but why, and revealing just how much of it is actually based upon director Rob Reiner and star Billy Crystal's own experiences and personalities (the story about Reiner acting out the fake orgasm scene for Meg Ryan is priceless). There are seven short deleted scenes (easy to see why they didn't make the final cut) and a commentary track by Reiner, which contains a lot of space and does little more than repeat the information in the documentary. The anamorphically enhanced 1.77: 1 picture though a touch grainy in dark scenes is generally rich and detailed with excellent colour. Audio is stereo, and only blossoms when there is a song on the soundtrack. There are 14 subtitle options including English for Hard of Hearing.--Gary S Dalkin

Too much is made of the scene in the cafe with Meg Ryan screaming her head off. Watching the characters develop from college, through the years where their personalities are changed by their life experiences is one of the joys of this movie. Billy Crystal's performance in his decline into a neurotic hypochondriac is excellent, as is Meg Ryan’s portrayal of a high-maintenance-woman.

If you're after a drama with excellent writing, humour and romance, then this is the movie for you.


The mother of all romantic comedies, but not a chick flick   July 17, 2005
Mickey (United Kingdom)
11 out of 12 found this review helpful

Difficult as it may be to write a review for such a classic, I will do my best. By all means get this DVD, even if you are not a romantic comedies' fan (and just for the record, neither am I). Though some of it may seem cheesy and repetitive do bear in mind that this was among the first films in the genre and the source of many later film plots.

In my opinion this film is a masterpiece, for reasons that would exceed the amount of space at my disposal. Marvellous acting, original characters, plot that spans more than a decade and portrays how the characters change as they mature and come to terms with life and love, just to name a few. If you are among the very few people who still have not seen it do get the DVD, and if you have seen it than you know what I am talking about.

Additional features are not exquisite but still enable you to get a glimpse of this world that I had shelved. Though it is easy to see why the deleted scenes had been removed in the first place, they still give you additional insight into the world of Harry and Sally.

To sum up, good value for your hard earned pay, excellent film for when you are feeling blue. What are you waiting for?


As sweet as pecan pie   June 7, 2002
Jus (London, UK)
9 out of 12 found this review helpful

It's very difficult not to love this film. Finding space between 'cheesy American chick-flick' and 'tepid romance' the movie is wonderfully heart-warming, punctuated with some great scenes (Meg Ryan's 'climax' being the most famous of all).

The film not only develops the characters and their growing affection for one another but also the defining characteristics of men and women which, when done well, can be magical. The two leads play off each other very well and Meg Ryan is quite irresistible as a good-natured, but slightly eccentric New Yorker.

Might make you see a friend of the opposite sex (or otherwise) in a new light....


No girlie night in would be complete without this film   October 11, 2003
7 out of 9 found this review helpful

This film, for me, started the whole "rom.com." era of films. An odd pairing, Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal, you might think at first.......but it really does work! Ryan, as always, plays her part with no real difficulty but its Crystal who you really warm to. His ease with comedy is well known, but romantic leads? I love to watch the look on his face just after he and Ryan have made love for the first time......its absolutely priceless! When choosing a film for a night in with the girls, this has to be at the top of anyone's list.


Nora Ephron's script is superbly worked by Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan   September 1, 2007
Brian Levine
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

This film has not one weak moment: the script is flawless, the acting mesmeric and funny, the comedy apparent without having to strain.

Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan first meet when he has to drive her across country and they're both at college. There's a spark, but no flame, and they keep meeting every five years as their lives and careers progress. Will they kindle that flame?

It's a romcom, so we know the answer to that in the first frame, but it still makes for wonderful, real viewing.