Review of You've Got Mail (1998) by Jess L — 06 Feb 2013

I love this movie because of Tom Hanks, and it's sweet and has its funny moments throughout. But ultimately it is a run of the mill romantic comedy based on an old story that has been remade throughout film history since 'The Shop around the corner" in 1940 - to my knowledge this was the first embodiment of this lovable story, though I am not 100% sure.

My favourite adaptation of this film is however, the 1949 version entitled 'In the good old summertime' staring Judy Garland and Van Johnson.

Whilst You've got mail begins with a fantastic premise, that has worked time and time again in remakes, it falls short of a classic because it falls into the category of modern romantic comedies that trap themselves in a period of time, rather than remain timeless.

The teaming up of Hanks and Ryan again proves not such a great idea, despite their successful chemistry in Sleepless in Seattle, it falls short in this film, some 5 years later.

Overall enjoyable though painfully formulaic and structured to the 90s romantic comedy genre.