Never got the fuss about ‘When Harry Met Sally’

[Monetm]

Just reading a review of Meg Ryan’s new romcom which compares it to When Harry Met Sally as if the latter was some kind of holy grail of filmmaking. AIBU to remember it as a pretty white bread and basic film that has some decent performances and doesn’t actively insult your intelligence, but really isn’t anything special? The speech Billy Crystal gives her at the end about how he loves the little crease in her forehead, or whatever it is, I honestly find really cheesy and cringe. I don’t particularly think they have chemistry. I liked Meg Ryan better in ‘In the Cut’. I would think less of anyone who told me they loved WHMS.

AIBU?

I love it too. Just that cosy wholesome vibe. Watched You’ve got mail for the first time in years and enjoyed it too, the music, the way New York is filmed, like those screwball comedies of the 40s.

I'm in the liking it camp too. Agree re the smart witty script. But the main thing for me is underneath the fluff it's actually really well-observed about relationships.

"Right now everyone's happy, everyone's in love. But put your names in your books now, because one day you'll do 10 rounds over this coffee table. This stupid, Roy Rogers garage sale wagon wheel coffee table."

Love that scene! Agree it’s very well observed. I can remember having a bit of an epiphany at the ‘he said he didn’t want to get married..but he just didn’t want to get married to me’ 💔

I'm the same OP, never gotten it and also found the orgasm scene cringey. But then I detest Love Actually, so possibly I have a weird film taste compared to most people!

YABVU

My favourite film probably ever

Personally I love it. One of my favourites. I think because it’s such a good comedy. I love the smart one liners and I quote it endlessly.

Was coming on to post that quote.

It's just sharper than a lot of romcoms with a tighter script and perfectly cast.

I love Nora Ephron and I'm ok with you thinking less of me.

I don't know why you'd compare WHMS with In the Cut. Surely a better comparison would be between films in the same genre?

Nope, I love it.

The main characters, supporting cast, character development, brilliant script. even the aesthetic just do it for me.

It makes me sad that we’re passed the Golden Age of the RomCom- You’ve Got Mail, Sleepless In Seattle, Clueless- they just don’t make them like that anymore, everything is a bit bland.

Those people are saying it’s the best romcom, not that it’s a brilliant film!

But yes, it probably is the best romcom, though the competition is fairly minimal. It’s witty, there are some good performances (agree about Bruno Kirby and Carrie Fisher), likeable set-pieces (the charades, the ‘Surrey With A Fringe On Top’ scene), both lead characters are fairly ordinary (Harry is a gloomy perv who never shuts up, Sally is uptight and prissy). It’s the dialogue, really, though.

I thought it zinged along and Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal are amazing actors in themselves.

But IMO they had zero romantic chemistry, which left a big hole. After the final scene I remember thinking well that was nice, but that there was no way in real life those two would have sparks in the bedroom.

I think it was a bit different at the time compared to films before it

Aw, I love it. And no one's even mentioned the music yet!

When did you last watch it, OP?

A woman meets OP at a cocktail party.

”Hello, my name’s Julie. I have just found a cure for cancer and halted global warming. Ask me anything! My favourite film, you say? Oh, has to be When Harry Met Sally. Wait, where are you going? Come back!”

I like it. The Holiday is a shocker!
Also, The Family Stone. It’s shite.

To the romcom fans on the thread, please can I heartily recommend Rye Lane to you all? It couldn’t be more different to WHMS but it is the best romcom I’ve seen in years. I loved it.

I didn't like it

😆

its full of great lines

‘Nah, you pretty much want to nail 'em too’

😆😆😆

agree OP it’s meh.

It is one of the best written comedies of the last 60 years. Every line is fantastic. That scene where harry is at a game telling his friend how his wife left him, whilst also continuing to participate in a Mexican wave, is brilliant. “Mr Zero knew your wife was getting a divorce before you did?” “Mr Zero knew”.
Ditto the scene in a cafe where she tells him she has had great sex with a guy called Sheldon - the whole thing is fantastically written, down to the discussion about the days of the week underpants.
And that brilliant girls lunch where Carrie Fisher says Meg Ryan is ready to date again so brings her file cards of single men out of her handbag. Then says she mustn’t delay because there is a guy out there who is meant for her, and “if you don’t get him first, somebody else will, and you’ll have to spend the rest of your life knowing that somebody else is married to YOUR husband” 🤣🤣🤣

its fantastic

I love When Harry Met Sally - I might watch it tomorrow now you’ve reminded me, so thanks for that. I don’t care if you think less of me!

I love Carrie Fisher in it. I particularly like the part where she sends flowers to herself at the office with the message, “Please say yes, love Jonathan” on them.

And Sally’s days of the week underpants - “they don’t make Sunday…because of God.”

I also love it when Carrie says placatingly to Bruno (in the context of hating the wagon wheel coffee table) “Everyone thinks they have great taste and a good sense of humour but they can’t possibly ALL have great taste and a good sense of humour”

I liked it, but then, I like a lot of romcoms.

If you're not a fan of the romcom genre, I can see why it might not be for you. But if you do like romcoms in general, it would be interesting to know which ones you think are good.

Were you joking when you said that you'd think less of anyone who said they liked it? I'm hoping that you're not really that shallow!!

I've never seen it. Too young when it was new, and then the famous deli scene (which you couldn't escape seeing in some form) was off-putting (imo), but maybe it's time to try it, the next time I'm in the mood for a romcom.