When Harry Met Sally Review
What's that?
Reviewing When Harry Met Sally in 2025?
Why would you do that?
I do not know why. But here we are doing exactly that. The film came out in 1989 and my impression was that it was really well received when it came out and has been well liked since. It currently has a 7.7 imdb score so that adds up. I'd never seen it before and I'm currently going though a phase in my life where I have an insatiable appetite for what I have come to call 'gentle 90s films' and hoped this would fulfil on that. I maybe need to nail down in a longer piece what exactly is a 'gentle 90s film' though maybe its descriptive enough to not warrant it.
In short, yes the film does fulfil its potential as a 'gentle 90s film' despite coming out in 1989.. Its pretty slow.. no car chases.. time passes.. emotions.. no real violence.. food is eaten.. seasons change.. character get older.. baseball is practiced.. its quite nostalgia educing now, though I think it was trying that at the time, with its Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong, 'this is classic New York City baby' soundtrack. One thing I really enjoyed was the clothes, particular one outfit warn by Billy Crystals character
Looking online it turns I'm not alone in appreciating this very relaxing look. Sometimes you've just got to acknowledge an insanely good outfit when you see one. As seen above its good for squatting, but can also be paired with some gray joggers and socks to relax with a book... Just noticed the pepto bismol on his side table, nice.
Product Placement
Speaking of potential product placement. The film seems, to my eyes at least, to be almost brand and product free.. Theres cars but there old cars, they eat out but not at big chains etc. However I noticed at least 3 times when a big bottle of Evian water was placed front and centre or gulped down a for a few uncomfortable seconds. Read somewhere that this was done for free on the proviso that Evian supplied water for the entire crew whilst filming. Find this hard to believe for many reasons, though guess its possible. Also recall reading how there was no market for bottled water (you could get it for free from your tap haha) and they had to create it with massive branding efforts.. find it hard to believe they'd get something like this for free..
The Actual Film (with slight spoilers)
Anyway back to the film - it was okay, pleasant, relaxing at times. The story revolved around 2 people, who keep bumping into each other over a few years and eventually become friends. Despite him saying men can never be 'just friends' with girls as they always would alway prefer it to become a physical relationship. You can guess that they are going to eventually get together and they do.. I kind of think it would have been better if they didn't. Read a few reviews after writing this and seems people were blown mostly into the chemistry between the 2 main characters. I kind of get it when they are friends.. not sure I see it as lovers.
SCORE OUT OF 1000
600 Harrys Outfit.
75 Sallys Outfits.
100 Harry and Sallys friends being very enjoyable throughout. In fact the few times I laughed was at these two.
75 Being a 'gentle 90s film'
- 100 Harry being proven 'seemingly' correct that boys and girls can not be friends.
- 50 Not really being that into either of the main characters...
- 150 Getting close to zero backstory on either character other than past relationships. In a way this is impressive.
500 out of 1000 -
Felt like it was almost something good... tho maybe I'm putting too much hope into the power of one good sweater.
Its currently available to watch for free on bbc iplayer
