Day 87: Why we (still) care that Harry met Sally.

Harry: Wouldn't you rather be with Humphrey Bogart than the other guy?

Sally: I don't want to spend the rest of my life in Casablanca married to a man who runs a bar. That probably sounds very snobbish to you...

Harry: You'd rather be in a passionless marriage...

Sally: ...and the first lady of Czechoslovakia.

Harry: ...than live with a man you've just had the greatest sex of your life with just because he owns a bar and that is all he does?

Sally: Yes. And so would any woman in her right mind. Women are very practical--even Ingrid Bergman which is why she gets on the plane at the end of the movie.

When Harry Met Sally.  Still one of my all time favorite movies. I make it a point to try to watch it before New Year’s Eve, and partially blame it for getting so teary eyed at midnight when the ball drops and Auld Lang Syne plays.  But what is it that has me (and millions of other women) still thinking about Harry and Sally? And still opting to watch it again and again all these years later? Here, once more, to discuss and guest blog is my buddy sideproject.

Discussion: When Harry Met Sally

sideproject: WHMS set a standard for me. That standard was to always be able to have a good conversation with whoever I was dating.

365 attempts: And did you?

sideproject: This is fiction right?

365 attempts: Sure.

sideproject: The chemistry that exists between these two characters is one that has its foundation in being able to talk about anything and being able to go anywhere to do it. It’s the stripping of all superficiality to the bare bones of what makes a strong relationship- being able to talk.

365 attempts: Yeah. The saying what you mean. The saying what crosses your mind. The exposing of your annoying habits. The being yourself. That’s golden. The other thing I love about these two. They laugh together.

sideproject: More importantly he makes her laugh, and we all know that not only can laughter heal all wounds; laughter can also make a man more attractive than he actually might be. Case and point: Harry. Harry is no looker. Harry is a regular dude, made spectacular by his ability to make a good joke, and a sarcastic comment.

365 attempts: I had myself a Harry once. A friend I could have any type of conversation with. One who made me laugh. Who got me. One who I realized I loved a little too late. Thanks to WHMS I decided to tell him I loved him on Christmas Eve (years ago) in my car (because he had just met a great girl he was going to get serious with and suddenly the thought of losing my potential life mate was too much to bear). Let's just say, my "movie moment" didn't go as it does in the movies. I think he just chalked me up to being selfish and crazy. In retrospect, he was probably right. And now the friendship is over.

sideproject: Not everyone's WHMS plays out as it should. That is why we keep returning to these characters year after year. They get it done perfectly in just under two hours, and for some people it takes a lifetime. I love the line in the movie when Harry says to Sally: I've been doing a lot of thinking, and the thing is, I love you. Best line in cinematic history. It's like he just realized it or something.

365 attempts: Yeah. It's a really awesome, natural and honest evolution from friend to something more with the person who takes you exactly as you are. Annoying traits too. (Mind you, it took him 12 years...). Because they are all part of a package that makes it unique and real. Great film. Great dialogue. And great characters.

The Start:


The End (and the beginning):



When Harry Met Sally- Directed by Rob Reiner 1989