I'll Have What She's Having (When Harry Met Sally (DVD))

Member Name: Great_reviewer07

Product:	When Harry Met Sally (DVD)
Date:	01/11/09 (83 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Very funny, endearing, relatable, fantastic script

Disadvantages: None

When Harry (Billy Crystal) met Sally (Meg Ryan) in his early 20s the pair didn't immediately hit it off, they drove from Chicago to New York together and on the way they discussed the fundamental differences between men and women. Sally has a very old fashioned view to love and relationships, opting to believe that men and women can be good friends without sex getting in the way however Harry has a more realistic approach and knows that even if a guy doesn't admit it, if he finds a female attractive he's going to want to sleep with her; friend or not. The two reach New York after their hours of disagreeing and Sally drops Harry off thinking it's the last time she'll ever see him again.

Unfortunately for Sally she bumps into the ever so arrogant Harry 5 years later whilst with her boyfriend. Harry is engaged and happier than ever however he's still a realist at heart. The pair chat whilst on a plane and once again go their separate ways only to meet another 5 years later. This time they are both single and living in the same area, they talk and get on like a house on fire. There's a huge chemistry between them but as they are both recently out of relationships they just decide to be friends. Little do they know that they are about to test the burning question of can men and women ever JUST be friends?

When asked what your favourite romantic comedy of all time is it's very likely that out of 10 answers, When Harry Met Sally is likely to crop up at least a couple of times and there's a very good reason for that. When Harry Met Sally is probably the definitive romantic comedy, it has a bit of everything that makes a good romantic comedy whilst still managing to remain original with it's concept and narrative. Forget romantic comedies like Pretty Woman or Love Actually that try to push the boundaries of originality with their distinctive stories. What is similar with all three rom-coms is that they manage to be relatable to audiences and what's more relatable than the story in When Harry Met Sally?

Whatever your views about relationships they'll be something that will undoubtedly strike a cord with you, whether you're a sceptic like Harry or a believer like Sally this film shows that you don't have to always have the same views to connect with someone and I'm sure this film gave a lot of confused and lovesick people some much needed hope!

What I love about this film is that you have two strong lead characters in Harry and Sally, neither one of them are ever willing to give into their ideas concerning love to each other and it shows people that you don't have to change who you are for your partner. By having two headstrong leads it gives the film a little bit of unpredictability, the two people are so fundamentally different it would be impossible to believe that they could ever work as anything more than occasional acquaintances.

The film tries to keep you constantly guessing as to when or if the pair are ever going to admit their feelings for each other and there are numerous times when you think that this might happen, only to be taken in another completely different direction. The story is never formulaic and even though you know what will happen at the end the film always keeps you on your toes and you never know when, what or how something will happen.

The acting is superb, this is the film that launched Meg Ryan's career into overdrive as the newly crowned queen of romantic comedies. I still believe that her performance as Sally is her best to date though. I like how the character of Sally believes in love and relationships yet doesn't portray herself as desperate like some female characters in romantic comedies. Infact it's Harry that shows more of a softer side throughout the film until a scene where Sally's façade finally cracks. Sally embodies every woman, she's just a regular woman gradually maturing and looking for the right man and that's what makes her so relatable. She's just average, she's no Angelina Jolie and it gives hope to women everywhere that infact personality does count.

Billy Crystal makes an excellent turn around from his 21 year old self in the beginning of the movie where he's arrogant and thinks he's Gods gift to women to becoming humble thanks to his friendship to Sally. If there's one downside to his character I'd say that his personality is maybe a bit too big at times and his views tend to overshadow Sally's, leaving her in the background and Harry at the forefront.

The film doesn't just revolve around the two title characters, it includes Harry and Sally's friends in the form of Marie (Carrie Fisher) and Jess (Bruno Kirby), unlike some films these characters actually have personalities and aren't just confidants for the main characters to turn to. Marie is Sally's best friend and is in a relationship with a married man and Jess is just as chauvinistic as Harry but quickly shows his soft side when he meets Marie.

The story runs along at a quick pace meaning you're never bored, although not along happens, the script is so sharp that it will keep you enthralled for the entire 96 minutes of the running time. The film is separated with segments of old married couples talking about how they met, this may seem irrelevant to the story at first but by the end it will all neatly fall into place.

If you're only going to watch this film for one reason watch it for the famous deli scene where Sally tries to prove a point to Harry that men are oblivious as to when a woman is faking it. She proves her point in the most exuberant of fashions and the scene has gone down (pardon the pun) as one of the most recognisable scenes of all time.

Highly recommended.

The DVD is currently available from play.com for £4.99.

The special features include:
Original Theatrical Trailer
'The Making Of' - How Harry Met Sally
Audio commentary by Director Rob Reiner
Harry Connick Music Video - 'It Had To Be You'
7 Deleted Scenes

Summary: Is this the best romantic comedy of all time?