Review of When Harry Met Sally... (1989) by Rainer K — 16 Apr 2012

When it comes to love stories I'm always a bit skeptical - if you do them right and use some original approach you can make such masterpieces as Before Sunset or (500) Days of Summer - mostly these films aim at frustrated housewives and teen girls so they're dumb and generic.

When Harry Met Sally is kind of a middle thing. It lures you into thinking it's original and the dialogue and characters are way better than usual but the structure is the same. They first hate each other and later fall in love. It's one of two ways all love stories go (The other is, they first love each other - than hate each other - and than love each other again. But that's just for the record).

You could also describe it as Rob Reiner goes Woody Allen - a more slapstick version of the love and life problems of well-off white 30-somethings only without the sharp sarcastic wit and philosophical depth. And cheesy after all.

Billy Crystal's Harry is an interesting guy though - he's the one part I enjoyed the most about the film. Starting from the first scene when Crystal actually looks young (incredible achievement) up to the point when he changes his fairly extreme views and becomes a likable romantic lead.

First rate watch-it-with-your-girlfriend material but nothing too special.