Tuesday 28 December 2021

When Harry Met Sally (1989 Rob Reiner)

Written by Nora Ephron, but not including the stories of older couples, who (according to IMDB) Rob Reiner collected and then had actors act.

Was overjoyed to be able to identify Washington Park - New York's suddenly falling into place - and the 'orgasm' scene takes place at Katz's delicatessen in the East Village.

I used to find Billy Crystal annoying, not so here, though I think it's fair to observe that there is very little difference in being really deadpan and just not reacting at all. With Meg Ryan (her first big hit, I guess), Carrie Fisher, Bruno Kirby. Nora Ephron's great screenplay was Oscar nominated (lost to Dead Poets Society) but won the BAFTA. Very enjoyable. Great little touches too. For example, when she walks into the diner and says "I've had lots of good sex" the guy sitting at the table behind her just goggles at her whilst his date is clearly trying to get his attention back on her. And in the montage, we can clearly see the order Meg's given in a Chinese restaurant is both complex and very annoying.




Considering how often we watch You've Got Mail and Sleepless.. I don't quite know why we've ignored this for ten years... Loved the split screen four-way phone conversation.

DP Barry Sonnenfeld, editor Robert Leighton.


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