Spoilerless recommendations: When Harry Met Sally
My all time favourites with no spoilers at all
To my English speaking readers: since my native language is Spanish, I apologise in advanced for any mistakes that you can find in the English version of this post. Thanks for your support! 😊
Welcome to “spoilerless recommendations”. Now and then, I’ll recommend you a movie that I find essential to watch, but giving you as little information as I can, so I don’t spoil it for you, which means you’ll have to trust my judgement (which, as everyone else’s, sometimes is a good one and sometimes is not).
There are films that could be used as the lead that every other film of that genre should follow. When Harry Met Sally is exactly that for romantic comedies.
What?
Sally Albright and Harry Burns meet randomly, right after finishing college, and go across the country together in her car. Along the trip, they realise they have absolutely nothing in common. However, their paths cross again and again over the years, as they build up a relationship that makes them question if a man and a woman can really be friends.
Who?
Rob Reiner directs the superb script written by Nora Ephron (probably the best romantic comedy ever written), which was released in 1989.
Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal portray Sally Albright and Harry Burns, displaying a wonderful chemistry while carrying the weight of the film. Carrie Fisher and Bruno Kirby complete the cast as the leading couple’s best friends.
Why?
I genuinely can’t see why not. Because Nora Ephron is one of the best writers and script writers in the last decades of the XXth century and this one might be her finest work (it got her an Oscar nomination). Because it is the perfect example of how romantic comedies should be. Because of the rhythm in the script. Because the cast give a fantastic performance. Because it can’t get more autumnal than Harry and Sally walking through Central Park surrounded by yellow and orange trees. Because the costume design is truly iconic. Because of that final monologue by Billy Crystal at the New Year’s Eve party at the end of the film.