You Know How This Will End, and It’s Lovely
When Harry Met Sally. Columbia Pictures (1989).
By R.J.F.
Is it wrong to love a predictable ending? Not if it takes place in the classic rom-com When Harry Met Sally.
When Harry Met Sally is on countless lists of the best rom-coms to ever grace the silver screen. I agree, it’s a superb romantic comedy, and by now it could be considered a classic rom-com. The film was released in July of 1989, which is kind of surprising because rom-coms are usually released during the fall and winter months of Cuffing Season. The movie was a hit in theaters, and its popularity still reigns supreme amongst rom-com enthusiasts, yours truly included.
Billy Crystal, as Harry, seemed like an odd choice in a male, romantic lead. One wouldn’t necessarily consider him a heartthrob; the late 80s had leading males that were more pretty boy types, as opposed to Crystal’s funny guy. But, Crystal holds his own as an unlikely romantic interest. Considering the role of Harry, who is slightly pessimistic after his divorce, witty on the verge of snarky, reluctant to admit to his feelings, and at times a straight up curmudgeon, Crystal was a perfect fit. His performance as Harry is charming, endearing, and cute; short kings for the win on this one. The other hunky dudes of that era wouldn’t have been able to pull off the role with their chiseled jawlines and perfectly quaffed hair because Harry just wasn’t that guy.
At the time, Meg Ryan, who played Sally, was just on the cusp of being one of America’s sweethearts with many rom-com roles in her future. Sally’s more optimistic and openhearted personality is an excellent contrast to Harry, and Ryan’s portrayal of Sally, a character that is neurotic, uptight, a type A, and also blind to her feelings for Harry, was a suitable fit. If I try to imagine another actress from that time doing the infamous deli scene (you know the one), I can’t picture anyone else. Her run as Sally established her viability as the love interest at the box office.
Almost every classic rom-com has that happy ending everyone wants where the two protagonists end up together. Of course, it took some time and awkward situations to get there, but when Harry professes his love to Sally on New Year’s Eve, I can’t help but swoon every time. As Sally tells Harry that she hates him because of how much he hurt her, but eventually gives into him after the emotional speech he gives, I usually sigh and feel satisfied. I’m a sucker for a romantic speech, even if what Harry did to Sally after they slept together for the first time was a dick move.
Just as Harry does at the end of the movie by listing the things he loves about Sally, here is a list of things that I love about When Harry Met Sally:
I love that it takes place over many years; it took time for Harry and Sally to fall in love.
I love that Harry and Sally were friends first, then lovers.
I love that the setting is in New York City.
I love that Harry and Sally are complete opposites.
I love that Rob Reiner, the director, found real-life couples to tell the stories of their romances in interview style scenes.
And…
6. I love that Harry and Sally end up together in a predictable ending.
When Harry Met Sally is more than boy meets girl, and they fall in love at first sight. It’s a journey for the characters to get there, it’s a slow burn, it’s two friends that were not made for each other, yet somehow they become the right one. The transformation from bickering their way through their first encounters, and slowly building a deeper connection as the film progresses is touching. I know it’s sappy, and probably unrealistic, but isn’t that the point of rom-coms?
