When Harry Met Sally...
When Harry Met Sally... is a 1989 American romantic comedy film directed by Rob Reiner and written by Nora Ephron, starring Billy Crystal as Harry Burns and Meg Ryan as Sally Albright.[1][2] The film explores the evolving relationship between the two protagonists over twelve years, beginning with a contentious car ride after college graduation in 1977, as they debate the possibility of platonic friendships between men and women before eventually falling in love.[1][2] The narrative structure intersperses Harry and Sally's encounters—marked by initial clashes, later friendships with their respective best friends Jess (Bruno Kirby) and Marie (Carrie Fisher), and romantic developments—with interviews from elderly New York couples recounting how they met.[1][2] Produced by Castle Rock Entertainment on a budget of $14–16 million, principal photography began on August 29, 1988, and took place primarily in New York City locations such as Katz's Delicatessen and Central Park.[2] The film premiered in New York on July 12, 1989, and expanded to Los Angeles on July 14, ultimately grossing $93.1 million domestically and approximately $93.3 million worldwide.[3][2] Critically acclaimed for its witty dialogue and realistic portrayal of relationships, When Harry Met Sally... holds an 88% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 129 reviews, with praise for elevating the romantic comedy genre through the leads' sharp chemistry.[1] It received significant recognition, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay for Ephron, five Golden Globe nominations (for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Actor for Crystal, and Best Actress for Ryan), and a BAFTA Award win for Best Original Screenplay.[4][5][2] The film's cultural legacy endures, having been selected for preservation in the National Film Registry in 2022 for its historical and aesthetic significance, and influencing subsequent romantic comedies with its blend of humor, insight into human connections, and iconic scenes like the Katz's Deli orgasm sequence; in 2025, stars Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan reunited for a Hellmann's Super Bowl commercial recreating the Katz's scene and presented the Best Picture award at the Academy Awards.[6][7][8][9][10]Synopsis and Characters
Plot
In 1977, recent University of Chicago graduates Harry Burns and Sally Albright share an 18-hour car ride from Chicago to New York City, where they debate the possibility of platonic friendships between men and women. Harry argues that sexual attraction inevitably complicates such relationships, while the more optimistic Sally insists otherwise; their differing views lead to tension, and they part ways acrimoniously upon arrival in New York.[11][12] Five years later, in 1982, Harry and Sally encounter each other again at an airport while en route to New York. Harry is now engaged to Helen, and Sally is dating Joe, prompting them to revisit their old debate on gender dynamics in friendship, though both dismiss the idea of pursuing one with each other and separate once more. Meanwhile, the film intersperses brief interviews with elderly couples recounting how they met, providing a contrapuntal reflection on lasting relationships.[11][12][1] By 1987, both Harry and Sally are single following breakups—Harry's fiancée Helen has left him for another man, and Sally has ended her long-term relationship with Joe over his reluctance to commit. They run into each other at a New York bookstore and, after initial awkwardness, decide to become friends, bonding over shared activities like museum visits, late-night phone calls about current events, and double dates with their respective best friends, Jess (Harry's) and Marie (Sally's). Jess and Marie, set up on a blind date by Harry and Sally, quickly develop their own romance and become engaged, mirroring the evolving dynamics among the group. During one outing at Katz's Delicatessen, Sally demonstrates her ability to fake an orgasm to counter Harry's skepticism about women's experiences in bed, marking a turning point in their comfort level with intimacy.[11][12][1] The friendship deepens, but complications arise when Sally learns that Joe is engaged to another woman; distraught, she turns to Harry for comfort, and they sleep together for the first time. The encounter leads to awkwardness and withdrawal from Harry, straining their bond and causing Sally to question the viability of their relationship. At Jess and Marie's wedding later that year, the tension culminates in a heated argument, after which they cease communication.[11][12] On New Year's Eve 1988, with Sally attending a party thrown by Marie and Jess, Harry experiences a sudden realization of his love for her. He rushes to the party and delivers a heartfelt declaration, listing all the quirky aspects of Sally that he adores, leading to their reconciliation and a passionate kiss as the new year begins. The film concludes with an epilogue showing Harry and Sally married, participating in the same style of couple interviews seen throughout, underscoring the resolution of their decade-long journey.[11][12][1]Cast
The principal cast of When Harry Met Sally... centers on Billy Crystal as Harry Burns, a cynical and witty divorcé whose pessimistic outlook on male-female friendships drives much of the film's central conflict, and Meg Ryan as Sally Albright, an optimistic, high-maintenance career woman pursuing journalism while adhering to structured habits in her personal life.[1][13][14] Complementing the leads are Carrie Fisher as Marie, Sally's pragmatic and levelheaded best friend who offers blunt advice on romance, and Bruno Kirby as Jess, Harry's supportive and easygoing best friend who facilitates key social connections.[15][16] Key supporting roles flesh out the protagonists' pasts and social circles, including Steven Ford as Joe, Sally's reliable long-term ex-boyfriend who represents stability in her romantic history; Harley Jane Kozak as Helen, Harry's sophisticated ex-wife whose departure underscores his emotional guardedness; Michelle Nicastro as Amanda Reese, Harry's college girlfriend and the mutual acquaintance who first brings Harry and Sally together; and Lisa Jane Persky as Alice, a married friend of Sally who provides humorous relational insights during group interactions.[17][18] The ensemble extends to minor characters such as the elderly couples interviewed throughout the film, portrayed by actors including Estelle Reiner, Frances Chaney, and Milt Oberman, who share authentic-seeming anecdotes of enduring love to frame the younger characters' evolving dynamics.[15][19]| Actor | Character | Role Description |
|---|---|---|
| Billy Crystal | Harry Burns | Cynical, witty divorcé skeptical of platonic opposite-sex friendships.[1][20] |
| Meg Ryan | Sally Albright | Optimistic, high-maintenance career woman challenging traditional romantic norms.[14][13] |
| Carrie Fisher | Marie | Pragmatic best friend to Sally, dispensing straightforward advice on relationships.[16][13] |
| Bruno Kirby | Jess | Supportive best friend to Harry, facilitating social and romantic opportunities.[15][21] |
| Steven Ford | Joe | Dependable long-term ex-boyfriend to Sally, embodying the stability she once sought.[17] |
| Harley Jane Kozak | Helen | Elegant ex-wife to Harry, whose influence lingers in his post-divorce worldview.[17] |
| Michelle Nicastro | Amanda Reese | Harry's college girlfriend and mutual friend connecting him to Sally initially.[17] |
| Lisa Jane Persky | Alice | Married friend of Sally offering counsel and humor in group settings.[18] |