Everyone enjoys a good rom-com and with the plethora of different variations of this genre now being developed by individuals, we would have to thank the contributions of actress Meg Ryan and actor Billy Crystal for their iconic 1989 rom-com film When Harry Met Sally… If there’s one title among the rest that needs to be crowned the best romance/comedy, then this film will win unanimously.
But by far, the most praise that this film receives is for the iconic conclusion that it ends with, which is still hailed as the best in cinema history in regards to a rom-com. But this wasn’t the original plan that the director and co-writer Rob Reiner had in mind, in fact, it was a tragic tale that he would’ve brought to life if he hadn’t met his now-wife back in during the days of shooting the film.
Meg Ryan’s Iconic Rom-Com Film May Have Had A Tragic End If Director Rob Reiner Hadn’t Met His Wife
The modern landscape of the rom-com genre of projects in the major motion pictures and silver screen department is flourishing with more creators trying to bring their own twist to the genre. But to give credit where credit is due, the popularization of this category would’ve lacked if it hadn’t been for Meg Ryan‘s When Harry Met Sally…
Widely regarded as one of the best romance/comedy films to date, it lives up to this title where everyone who hasn’t watched it does so and sings its praises. It also has probably the most iconic ending scene of any rom-com in history, a feat that could’ve easily been lost if the filmmaker and the film’s co-writer Rob Reiner hadn’t met his now-wife while shooting the film.
In a past interview with CNN’s Chris Wallace (via The Hollywood Reporter), the director recalled that he hadn’t felt what finding, or re-finding love was like, but when he met his wife Michele Singer Reiner, he knew he had to change the ending, which would’ve shown Harry and Sally going their own separate ways with grief in their hearts in the end. He said:
“It was going to be the two of them seeing each other after years, talking and then walking away from each other, I had been married for 10 years. I’d been single for 10 years, and I couldn’t figure out how I was ever going to be with anybody, and that gave birth to When Harry Met Sally… I met my wife Michele, who I’ve been married to now 35 years. I met her while we were making the film, and I changed the ending.”
Thus, just like the story that he developed, he too was able to find someone special at the end of the film.
What Was When Harry Met Sally… About?
Despite the general perception of romance/comedy films just being something to kick back and relax while watching, When Harry Met Sally… was a film that had the audience at the edge of their seats to know whether the couple will get along at the end or not.
The film tells the tale of two individuals named Harry Burns and Sally Albright, who while sharing a car ride after graduation to New York argue about whether men and women can have a serious platonic relationship with no strings attached. After ten years, both of them will be put to the test on this topic as fate brings them closer to each other.
When Harry Met Sally…, streaming on Tubi.
