When Harry Met Sally... (1989)

Quartile rating: 7.5/10 · 1 rating

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?

The Quartile Take

When Harry Met Sally... is a beloved romantic comedy elevated primarily by the chemistry and performances of Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan — Ryan's famous deli scene alone earns a 4 for acting. The script by Nora Ephron is witty and sharp, and the film handles the friendship-to-romance arc with genuine warmth and intelligence. However, the plot follows a fairly conventional will-they-won't-they structure, and while it executes the rom-com form with considerable skill, it doesn't radically reinvent it. Cinematography is competent and pleasantly captures autumnal New York but isn't visually distinctive. The ending, while satisfying and emotionally earned, lands exactly where audiences expect it to.

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