While this movie is not new, it is often  heard described as ”classic” or the quintessential romantic comedy.  I actually hadn’t gotten around to seeing it until today.  People who don’t like romantic comedies describe this to me as “classic” and “great”.  Normally I’m not terribly fond of run of the mill romantic comedies, and there are very few exceptions (most notably being Love Actually and Kissing Jessica Stein).  So naturally I thought that I wouldn’t like this movie.  I guess that’s a bad attitude to have going into a movie, but what can you do? 

So I tried to sit there and give it a fair shot, it follows Harry and Sally at the begining comedicly running into each other over the years.  Each time they ran into each other they were unavailable for some reason, dating other people and such.  Harry is this horrible stereotype of a man, and Sally is a terrible stereotype of a woman.  I rather loathe male/female stereotypes…it’s so cliche and often untrue (or maybe is true and I just don’t like or spend time with most people…either way it lacks creativity). 

Then they finally run into each other when they both just got out of a serious relationship…and they become friends.  I like that I didn’t see it coming.  I expected it to be immediately sappy – they’re finally single and they’re suddenly attached at the hip despite not liking each other previously.  It was kinda sweet, they spent a few years of their life being good, close friends (at this point it’s 10 years since they first met). There is some semblance of character development, as they have become less cliche than they previously were – they even change their views on some things with age. 

Billy Crystal, actually, gives a very good performance in this movie.  Normally I’m not a huge fan of his.  He always strikes me as that actor that could be funny but kinda falls short.  Like he’s trying to be Steve Martin or Bill Murray and failing.  He actually seemed witty and – dare I say – entertaining in this role.  It was geninue…the relationship between his character and Meg Ryan’s was sweet and believable (as we all know, romantic comedies are known for their fantastical circumstances).  It reminded me of the relationship I had with a male friend of mine for a number of years.  Stories quite like that aren’t really told much (difference being after spending the night together my friend disappeared, I got married, and he was jealous and never talked to me again).  I liked that it seemed very real, but also entertaining.

So since the movie is named “When Harry Met Sally”, you expect them to get together at some point. The movie progresses and their friends marry each other, but Harry and Sally never do anything but be good friends.  Through not so supernatural circumstances, they get together and separate ways.  Eventually they get over being mad at each other and get together right at the end. 

It really was sweet, unfantastic, and real.  The story and dialogue are interesting and believable.  All in all it’s an entertaining movie to watch.  I probably wouldn’t call this a classic for any other reason than it’s a romantic comedy that doesn’t suck.  Maybe this is the model that has been abused for years.  Maybe.  Meg Ryan is in it…she apparently stars in all the classics (Sleepless in Seattle and City of Angels anyone?).  Actually I think this movie just left her typecast. 

Ovearall a good watch – not a vomit inducing movie.  So if you ever HAVE to watch a romantic comedy this at least won’t suck.