When it comes to romantic movies, you don’t get much better than Rob Reiner’s classic, When Harry Met Sally. Here is everything Carter Smith thought while watching it again.
Autumn means two things: Gilmore Girls and When Harry Met Sally. They are the quintessential Fall media. I first watched When Harry Met Sally last year, and it has been one of my favourite films ever since. Rob Reiner was an absolute genius at work. It is still so heartbreaking what happened to him, but his movies will love forever. Get your knitted jumper ready and coffee in hand. I hope you enjoy.
1) As much as it was a shame to find out the couples featured throughout the film are not real-life couples, I was glad to find they were at least based on real love stories. The love stories from the crew, no less. Regardless, it’s a great way to start as a reminder that falling in love can be a complete and utter mess. It’s never easy, but that’s what makes it so beautiful.
2) Frank Sinatra’s beautiful jazz track It Had To Be You playing as we are first introduced to Harry and Sally, is perfect. It not only sets us up for a fantastic soundtrack, but also sets the tone for the romantic story about to play out.
3) I know he may not be conventionally attractive, but the way some people try to act like Billy Crystal is some slob is shocking. He is a handsome fella.
4) The first mention of Casablanca, and it has to be said, Harry is right. I, too, would rather be with Humphrey Bogart. Man, I wanna watch Casablanca again.
5) Meg Ryan’s hair in this film is majestic.
6) The chemistry between Crystal and Ryan is unfathomably good. I could listen to these two talk and bicker for hours. Sally talking about her days-of-the-week pants? Hysterical.
7) Can a woman be friends with a man? Harry thinks no; Sally thinks yes. As we are about to discover, Rob Reiner believes it is more nuanced.
8) They do a great job of ageing up Harry and Sally. Harry looks so much younger at the start compared to the end.
9) This film understands life in a way that many films don’t. Even little things, such as Sally not remembering her close friend’s name, who was with Harry at the start of the movie, feel shallow, but that’s just how it is. We’ve all been there.
10) I’m not one for headcanons, but if I were to ever have one, it would be that Harry somehow kept up with what Sally was up to over those years. Maybe not much, but he had a half-decent idea of what she was up to. He was pining for her from early on.
11) Harry’s worldview is fascinating. He is so deeply cynical but emotional. It’s interesting to watch him develop. He could have came off as so obnoxious if not for Billy Crystal being Billy Crystal.
12) Sally’s face when hearing Harry ramble on about why men and women can’t be friends is so funny. Her constant bewilderment at Harry’s audacity is so fun to watch.
13) Ah, Carrie Fisher. You’ve got to love her. May she rest in peace.
14) There are many moments in this film which make me laugh, but Harry standing up to do the Mexican wave while trauma dumping about his divorce to Jess might be the funniest.
15) Nora Ephron’s script may be my favourite ever. What a genius. Each conversation feels so real and is so clever. There’s someone looking at you in personal growth. I mean, come on! That’s a bar.
16) The thing is, Joe, we never do fly off to Rome in a moment’s notice. What a fantastic line. It’s such a perfect encapsulation of how you cling to the idea of what your relationship used to be because you have stagnated.
17) The fits Harry and Sally have on during this film are incredible. Whoever the costume designer for this film was had their rent due.
18) Not only is it incredibly funny, but pairing the houses with the obituary column is actually a fair shout.
19) Our second mention of Casablanca and Harry is right again: Casablanca may be the best ending to a film. Well, it would have been before this film anyway. Still, I love the choice to show how they have grown and how their ideologies of relationships have changed through Ingrid Bergman’s choice.
20) This is hardly something I have only just realised, but this is the Autumn film. Nothing encapsulates fall like this film. However, the film being so aesthetic also gives you false expectations. Walking through Leicester never quite hits the same.
21) I want that white jumper. Scratch that, I need that white jumper. It looks so good.
22) Harry is the full male experience. He can be so crass, but he is so undeniably charming you can’t help but love him. No wonder half of New York has slept with him in this film.
23) You’d think that I would turn my TV down a bit before the moaning scene started. After all, it is one of the most instantly recognisable scenes in film history. I didn’t. Rookie error.
24) Singing Oklahoma! while his ex-wife walks in. It doesn’t get worse than that. I’m not one to shame, but Helen has no taste. Ira is ugly, especially compared to Harry.
25) The sheer embarsement of it makes his crash out completely valid. BUt we’ve all been there. You get angry and kick off and then instantly feel bad about it. I get it. I too express every feeling I have as well.
26) If this film somehow doesn’t work for you, it at least does a great job of showing how infuriating Pictionary is. Come on, Jess, you’ve been told a million times it’s not a monkey. STOP GUESSING MONKEY.
27) The endorphins I experience when they start getting jealous of their other partners. We are nearly here boys and girls.
28) I don’t care who it is; if I had a black knitted jumper as good as the one Harry is wearing, I wouldn’t let anyone blow their nose on it. I’m not bothered if you have found out your ex is getting married; there are some tissues right there. Use them.
29) It finally happens. It took them long enough. Harry’s prophecy is somewhat realised. They have sex. Can women be friends with men without sex getting in the way? The natural answer this film says would be no, you can’t. However, without their friendship they would have never got into bed together, so it’s a bit of a mix. It’s not black and white. One thing is for sure, though: once it happens, you can’t go back.
30) Look, Harry was being a dick at the wedding, but she’s better than me; I would have folded instantly. As he says, though, it is grovelling season. It may seem crazy that he is singing down the phone, but when you’re in love, you do some mental things to try and get them back. I’ve been there. It’s a strange time.
31) Harry will be happy to know that the Knicks finally got their championship. He’d only have to wait 27 more years.
32) I can’t believe this film is nearly over already. I think I could literally watch it again straight away. Should I? No, I shouldn’t. But if someone asked me, I would. It’s that rewatchable.
33) Here we are, back where it all began. I have only just realised now that Harry being back next to the Washington Square Arch where he was dropped off at the start of the film is his final push. It Had To Be You plays again as he reminisces on their blossoming relationship. What are you waiting for? Run, Harry, run. God, this ending is so romantic.
34) I came here tonight because when you realise you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start right away. Ain’t that the truth. If that’s not love, I don’t know what is.
35) The little smirk Harry has when Sally tells him she hates him. Ugh, I love these two. Ending the film with those two sitting on the couch talking about their wedding is the perfect ending. This will not be the last time I watch this film this year.
