The last truly great romantic comedy to emerge from Hollywood is Rob Reiner's When Harry Met Sally (1989); a cornucopia of 'cute meets' and 'joyous defeats'. If nothing else - who can forget Reiner's mother uttering the immortal line "I'll have what she's having" after winsome Sally Albright (Meg Ryan) fakes a very exuberant orgasm inside a crowded deli.
But the film is so much more than just this one hilarious scene. The cream of the jest is in no small way due to the writing prowess of screenwriter Nora Ephron whose take on single women, sex and men is perennially frank, honest and refreshing. In Sally's compulsiveness and Harry's devil-may-care attitude there is an obvious parallel and very mutual vulnerability. They are soul mates from the beginning, even if neither wants to acknowledge it.
Harry (Billy Crystal) and Sally's 'cute meet' happens on a road trip to New York after college graduation. She finds his “men and women can’t be friends” philosophy sexist. He thinks she is sexually frigid and a real prude. Upon their arrival the two part company, never suspecting they will see each other again. However, after several years, and more than several break ups, the two accidentally reunite on a plane and slowly become friends.
Still, neither seems to think the other would be a compatible mate. Instead they nurse one another through other flawed relationships in their separate lives, all the while becoming closer. Sally decides to fix Harry up with her best friend, Marie (Carrie Fisher) who is involved with a married man. Harry sets up Sally with his best friend, Jess (Bruno Kirby) who is single and frustrated. The four meet at a fashionable restaurant, desperately afraid, yet hoping for love. But the awkward interplay between Sally and Jess and Marie and Harry leads to an unexpected fallout. Marie and Jess hook up instead, eventually marry and move in together.
Sally has a mild breakdown after she learns that her ex is engaged to someone else. In tears she telephones Harry for comfort. Instead, he comes over. The two have sex, but almost immediately Harry comes to regret the moment. Sally comes to his realization late, only after Harry bluntly explains that he slept with her out of pity.
But did he really? In the intervening months leading up to New Year's Eve Sally shuns her one time friend, forcing Harry to come to terms with his own emotions regarding their friendship. What he quickly realizes is that a future without Sally is no future at all.
When Harry Met Sally is a superior romantic comedy. It hits all the high notes seemingly without trying and tackles the more pressing issues of commitment and love with humility and honesty. That it all appears so effortless is deceiving, because every last detail has been masterfully orchestrated by director Reiner, who sells this simple story as high art and comes away with a film that will be long remembered, embraced and cherished.
MGM/Fox Home Video currently hold the rights to When Harry Met Sally (originally a Columbia release – odd) and their Blu-ray offering is impressive. The image exhibits bold, rich and detailed colors with superb detail. Blacks are solid and deep. Whites are pristine. The image is razor sharp without being digitally harsh. Grain looks like grain. This is a reference quality disc of a truly deserving film.
The audio has been remastered in DTS. Despite being dialogue driven, there is very good separation in the sound elements for a very rewarding listening experience. Extras are all imports from MGM's previously issued DVD and include ‘making of’ featurettes, an audio commentary and the original theatrical trailer. Highly recommended!
FILM RATING (out of 5 - 5 being the best)
5+
VIDEO/AUDIO
5
EXTRAS
3
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