When Harry Met Sally...
1989 · Directed by Rob Reiner
Original language: English
- comedy
- romance
- drama
The story
Sex always gets in the way of friendships between men and women. At least, that's what Harry Burns believes. So when Harry meets Sally Albright and a deep friendship blossoms between them, Harry's determined not to let his attraction to Sally destroy it. But when a night of weakness ends in a morning of panic, can the pair avoid succumbing to Harry's fears by remaining friends and admitting they just might be the perfect match for each other?
What it’s like
Warm, autumnal New York light: golden-hour streets, brownstone stoops, bright diner booths and cosy apartments lit by lamps, with a palette of tans, camel coats and deep reds that feels like a crisp season. Rob Reiner keeps the camera largely steady and unshowy, letting long two-shots of people talking across tables carry the scenes, with the city glimpsed through windows and on wintry sidewalks. Marc Shaiman's piano-and-strings score, plus a parade of standards from the era, gives the film a wistful, old-fashioned hum. The vibe is lighthearted and reminiscent, with a sweet, low-key melancholy under the banter, and it suits a rainy Sunday, a holiday evening or a comfort rewatch with a cup of something hot. Pacing is conversational and unhurried, built on sharp, witty dialogue and quiet interludes, and the emotional arc follows two friends slowly learning to see each other differently over several years. Intensity is mild: some sexual content and frank talk about sex, including one comic scene that is played for laughs, but no violence, gore or real danger. It suits viewers who want romance that is funny, grown-up and gentle, and friendship-as-love stories told with warmth.
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