There was so much hype about this that I didn't watch it because I was afraid I wouldn't like it and be disappointed. I finally watched it. The comedy is smart and the dialogue is brilliant. I loved it.
The dialogue in this film is so high end. Plus the main characters are both likable that at one point you are rooting for them to get together even though you kinda know that they will. It's intelligent, funny and the characters ring true dispite the fact that I agree with Rodger that a woman would never do that fake orgasms thing in real life but if you haven't seen it you should. You will better understand how good an actor Billy Crystal really is.
I think calling it an "Annie Hall clone" is bizarre. Best I can tell, Annie Hall is about two neurotic people falling in love until his hyper criticism and her inability to assert herself lead them to an inevitable doom and no lessons learned. It's a tragedy. To me, WHMS is a character study on the maturing of two people from closed off to learning how to be genuine friends, and the earning of a strong and empathetic relationship.
The filter of the movie is what makes it an Annie Hall clone, specifically the way they both fetishize New York in the late 70’s and 80’s and focus on non-traditional romantic leads
I enjoyed Annie Hall, But When Harry Met Sally is my favorite romantic comedy. I've also thought that Billy Crystal is like Woody Allen with a good editor. While Allen can of course be very funny, he has a tendency to blather on endlessly, dancing around a comedic point, so that the pay off is diffuse and watered down by the time he gets to it. Crystal can sum up a comedic subject more succinctly, and then finish it off with a killer punch line. That approach is, for me, a lot more effective.
When Harry met Sally goes from a road movie, to a NYC rom com, to just a grinding halt on New Year's Eve. Efron aside, feels like a prequel to You've Got Mail.
This film is so much like watching a movie version of Seinfeld to me. The fact that Reiner was the head producer at Castle Rock seems to complete that comparison for me even further. LD was heavily influenced by Woody Allen, so that comparison also makes sense. I would go further and call Forget Paris its spiritual successor. You could almost show the two movies back to back and call it a perfect duo 👍
I agree with Ebert that the Meg Ryan "climax" scene, while funny, totally took me out of the immersion of the movie. Few women would do such a thing, but most certainly not the uptight, self-conscious character Meg Ryan is playing.
What is strange is to criticize When Harry met Sally for the lack of realism of the orgasm scene. And to say that Annie Hall is a much more realistic film while the characters in the film regularly break the 4th wall...
I think it's funny about what scene they fixate on. Also, nowadays there really is very little way to escape bedroom stuff with all the surveillance going on IE phones etc. So in a way, I don't know if that scene stands up to time or is timeless.
Annie hall may be a superior film artistically but I find WHMS one of the most enjoyable of its type that I’ve seen. I agree with Roger on one issue though, I wish that scene had been cut...
This is a very good film but it's an homage to "Annie Hall," not a ripoff, although I can understand it being called such. "Annie Hall" is a masterpiece, this is a cute, entertaining film.
All of Rob Reiner's films from that era are mostly just good entertainment rather than great movies (some being cute as well like this and the Princess Bride)..
i love the film, it is absolutely my favorite romantic comedy of all time. that said ive always felt like the one person on Earth that didnt like the infamous fake orgasm scene. i never thought it was funny and actually always found it sort of cringey, and i actually agree with Roger here i wont say no women would do that but i think most women wouldnt do that and Sally's character sure as hell wouldnt do that. also i have NEVER been able to get into Woody Allen films, his films have been so praised as such classics for so long. but basically i have never been able to suspend my belief watching any of his films, its because he stars in them all i will never be able to buy that guy as this dude that dates all these young atrractive women that he does in his films. Woody Allen dating them yes because he is rich and famous and renowned "before the scandals of course", but his characters that arent rich famous Woody Allen, no i dont believe it. also i always thought it was sort of cringe too, because most of his films are just his character chasing around women. i mean isnt there more to deep art than some trolley guy trying to get laid. all these high brow critic types loved him and he just kept making basically sex films over and over. dating women that should have been well out of his league.
I totally agree. Annie Hall was so specific to a particular demographic - urban, liberal, progressive. Many do not rebate to Woody Allen films. Not true with When Harry Met Sally.
I disagree. Woody is a particular taste and WHMS is more mainstream in its appeal in that there were more broad topics posed that most everyone could relate to about modern relationships, and not as much intellectual pontificating as Woody's films about topics many cannot relate to like growing up in 1950s Brooklyn as an awkward yet inquisitive Jewish kid, just as an example. Because of these differences, I think its not 100% comparable.
Notice Gene trying to stop Roger when he's describing the scene. I guess they couldn't say the word "orgasm" on network TV back then. And I think the show used to air in the mid-afternoon so that's also probably why.
What a horrible and stupid review. These guys were terrible reviewers and for some reason we all look to them as authorities for so long. Siskel can't shut up about Annie Hall. Why must this movie be compared to another. It the movie good or isn't it? Meathead himself, Rob Riner was making a tribute to the Woody Allen films set in New York. He wasn't trying to remake Annie Hall or replace it. Then Ebert disses on one of the funniest scenes because a real woman would never do that. First of all, I don't think that's true, there are many vulgar women who eat at Katz's deli...Second, who says that's a rule of movie making? Just two self important guys who got rich off of adoring fan boys of the 80`s.
That's not what he was saying. His complaint was that the "demonstration" in the restaurant was out of character, that it's not believable that a woman (particularly the Sally character) would do that, therefore betraying the supposed realism of the film.
There was so much hype about this that I didn't watch it because I was afraid I wouldn't like it and be disappointed. I finally watched it. The comedy is smart and the dialogue is brilliant. I loved it.
This is one of my all time favourite movies
and it’s now considered a classic of the genre. ebert did nail it when he said that it was very entertaining.
The dialogue in this film is so high end. Plus the main characters are both likable that at one point you are rooting for them to get together even though you kinda know that they will. It's intelligent, funny and the characters ring true dispite the fact that I agree with Rodger that a woman would never do that fake orgasms thing in real life but if you haven't seen it you should. You will better understand how good an actor Billy Crystal really is.
this is a classic and i knew it when i went to see back in the cinema in 1989.
Sally: "I'm gunna be 40 !"
Harry: "When ?"
Sally: "Someday !"
I never get tired of that exchange.
that one always puts me in tears of laughter. and it was even more funny when i wasnt 48 :/
Yes. And then, "in eight years" - he's been involved in her life, knows her age.
Yeah.. Someday SOON. It goes bye fast. 🤤
I think calling it an "Annie Hall clone" is bizarre. Best I can tell, Annie Hall is about two neurotic people falling in love until his hyper criticism and her inability to assert herself lead them to an inevitable doom and no lessons learned. It's a tragedy. To me, WHMS is a character study on the maturing of two people from closed off to learning how to be genuine friends, and the earning of a strong and empathetic relationship.
The filter of the movie is what makes it an Annie Hall clone, specifically the way they both fetishize New York in the late 70’s and 80’s and focus on non-traditional romantic leads
I also wouldn't compare it specifically to Annie Hall but I can't deny there is something Woody Allen-esque about the movie
Reiner was on a roll back then--Stand By Me, The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally, Misery and then A Few Good Men
Don't forget This Is Spinal Tap
Reiner can make movies. No doubt. However, he will always be a meathead.
Also "The Sure Thing"
And it all went downhill with North right after.
And then after A Few Good Men made North. He got back on track with The American President though.
I do agree with Ebert that the fake orgasm scene is funny but totally out of character for Meg Ryan's character to do.
Rob Reiner has even talked about how reluctant Meg Ryan was to perform the scene--and she is a professional actress! Gene is totally right about that.
@@lizzy-wx4rx Meg was the one to actually suggest the scene. True.
Just watched it for the first time
Really enjoyed it
Second all the praise for the dialogue
I enjoyed Annie Hall, But When Harry Met Sally is my favorite romantic comedy.
I've also thought that Billy Crystal is like Woody Allen with a good editor. While Allen can of course be very funny, he has a tendency to blather on endlessly, dancing around a comedic point, so that the pay off is diffuse and watered down by the time he gets to it. Crystal can sum up a comedic subject more succinctly, and then finish it off with a killer punch line. That approach is, for me, a lot more effective.
When Harry met Sally goes from a road movie, to a NYC rom com, to just a grinding halt on New Year's Eve. Efron aside, feels like a prequel to You've Got Mail.
Boy this didn't age well... The movie greatness outlived both of 'em!
And don't forget the friends, Carrie Fisher & Bruno Kirby. 'You made a woman meow?'
The top in both: Romantic Comedy & NY fall movies ❤️
Great review
I've seen this movie too many times to count.
This film is so much like watching a movie version of Seinfeld to me. The fact that Reiner was the head producer at Castle Rock seems to complete that comparison for me even further. LD was heavily influenced by Woody Allen, so that comparison also makes sense. I would go further and call Forget Paris its spiritual successor. You could almost show the two movies back to back and call it a perfect duo 👍
Team Ebert on this one
I agree with Ebert that the Meg Ryan "climax" scene, while funny, totally took me out of the immersion of the movie. Few women would do such a thing, but most certainly not the uptight, self-conscious character Meg Ryan is playing.
exactly my thoughts on it. uptight sort of goody wholesome Sally would not have done that.
Carrie Fisher's character would more likely have done that.
What is strange is to criticize When Harry met Sally for the lack of realism of the orgasm scene. And to say that Annie Hall is a much more realistic film while the characters in the film regularly break the 4th wall...
Uploaded the video of gene siskel and roger ebert of the Relic
Its a masterpiece
Funny how they dont like the "Il have what shes having" scene which by itself is a cultural icon now.
Its probably my favorite romantic comedy. It's a sweet loveable film that's impossible not to like. I actually like it a lot more than Annie Hall .
I agree with Siskel. I mostly enjoyed it at the time but it has unrealistic elements also. I think his review is on target.
“Marginal thumbs up”... oof. Siskel was so overly harsh. This is quite possibly the greatest romantic comedy ever.
The Biggest Rip-off of Woody Allen ever. Literally they even shot on some of his exact locations.
20 years ago was Woodstock... so in 2001? O shoot...
Woodstock was in 1969😂
I think it's funny about what scene they fixate on. Also, nowadays there really is very little way to escape bedroom stuff with all the surveillance going on IE phones etc. So in a way, I don't know if that scene stands up to time or is timeless.
Movie should have been titled "When Rob Ripped Off Woody".
Looking back, Siskel was one tough cookie. A marginal thumbs up? Really?
I'll have what she's having
Annie hall may be a superior film artistically but I find WHMS one of the most enjoyable of its type that I’ve seen. I agree with Roger on one issue though, I wish that scene had been cut...
Lovely Bruno and Carrie ❤ “Marginal thumbs up”. - what a doof.
This is a very good film but it's an homage to "Annie Hall," not a ripoff, although I can understand it being called such. "Annie Hall" is a masterpiece, this is a cute, entertaining film.
All of Rob Reiner's films from that era are mostly just good entertainment rather than great movies (some being cute as well like this and the Princess Bride)..
i love the film, it is absolutely my favorite romantic comedy of all time. that said ive always felt like the one person on Earth that didnt like the infamous fake orgasm scene. i never thought it was funny and actually always found it sort of cringey, and i actually agree with Roger here i wont say no women would do that but i think most women wouldnt do that and Sally's character sure as hell wouldnt do that.
also i have NEVER been able to get into Woody Allen films, his films have been so praised as such classics for so long. but basically i have never been able to suspend my belief watching any of his films, its because he stars in them all i will never be able to buy that guy as this dude that dates all these young atrractive women that he does in his films. Woody Allen dating them yes because he is rich and famous and renowned "before the scandals of course", but his characters that arent rich famous Woody Allen, no i dont believe it. also i always thought it was sort of cringe too, because most of his films are just his character chasing around women. i mean isnt there more to deep art than some trolley guy trying to get laid. all these high brow critic types loved him and he just kept making basically sex films over and over. dating women that should have been well out of his league.
when harry met sally was way better than annie hall
I totally agree. Annie Hall was so specific to a particular demographic - urban, liberal, progressive. Many do not rebate to Woody Allen films. Not true with When Harry Met Sally.
I disagree. Woody is a particular taste and WHMS is more mainstream in its appeal in that there were more broad topics posed that most everyone could relate to about modern relationships, and not as much intellectual pontificating as Woody's films about topics many cannot relate to like growing up in 1950s Brooklyn as an awkward yet inquisitive Jewish kid, just as an example. Because of these differences, I think its not 100% comparable.
'Sexual response' and 'climax'? They sound like repressed Catholics.
Notice Gene trying to stop Roger when he's describing the scene. I guess they couldn't say the word "orgasm" on network TV back then. And I think the show used to air in the mid-afternoon so that's also probably why.
I think it is ten times better than Annie Hall. I absolutely can't stand Woody Allen.
“When Harry Met Sally” holds up far better than “Annie Hall”.
Ebert criticizing one of the BEST scenes in movie history
What a horrible and stupid review. These guys were terrible reviewers and for some reason we all look to them as authorities for so long. Siskel can't shut up about Annie Hall. Why must this movie be compared to another. It the movie good or isn't it? Meathead himself, Rob Riner was making a tribute to the Woody Allen films set in New York. He wasn't trying to remake Annie Hall or replace it. Then Ebert disses on one of the funniest scenes because a real woman would never do that. First of all, I don't think that's true, there are many vulgar women who eat at Katz's deli...Second, who says that's a rule of movie making? Just two self important guys who got rich off of adoring fan boys of the 80`s.
Do you always get upset when people have different opinions than you?
Never really cared for Gene I respect him but I find myself disagreeing with most of his takes.
Ahahaha Ebert doesn't believe women can fake it get real
That's not what he was saying. His complaint was that the "demonstration" in the restaurant was out of character, that it's not believable that a woman (particularly the Sally character) would do that, therefore betraying the supposed realism of the film.
I DON'T LIKE BILLY CRYSTAL, I DESPISE REINER.