The segments of married couples telling the stories of how they met are real stories that director Rob Reiner collected for the film. Then they hired actors to relay the stories.
The Couples' Stories Peppered Throughout The Movie Are Real
Throughout When Harry Met Sally, old married couples tell their how-we-met stories to the camera. These were real stories that Nora Ephron collected from employees of the production company whenever she got writer's block.
Tom Hanks was leading the romantic comedy genre in the 90s with Meg Ryan, but his wife, Rita Wilson, revealed that he actually turned down starring in another classic.
Tom Hanks was originally offered the role of Harry.
And, at least according to IMDB, Albert Brooks, Michael Keaton, Harrison Ford, and Bill Murray were also considered before producers landed on Billy Crystal.
"When Harry Met Sally" was released over 33 years ago on July 21, 1989. Meg Ryan was 27 years old when she played the optimistic romantic lead, Sally Albright. Two of the movie's leads, Carrie Fisher and Bruno Kirby, have passed away.
How old was Harry Connick Jr in When Harry Met Sally?
The jazzman released his first album when he was 10 years old, and broke into the mainstream after recording the soundtrack to “When Harry Met Sally…” at 22. The album hit No. 1 on Billboard's jazz chart, won Connick his first Grammy (for jazz male vocal performance), and was certified double platinum.
In the podcast Table for Two hosted by Bruce Bozzi, Wilson shares that the reason why Hanks did not accept that role is simply that around the time of When Harry Met Sally…, he was going through a divorce with his then-wife, Samantha Lewes.
Hanks' marital status notwithstanding, director Reiner considered a number of actors for the Harry role before settling on Crystal, including Albert Brooks, Richard Dreyfuss, and Michael Keaton, while Molly Ringwald was considered for Sally Albright.
As fate would have it, these two kept running into each other till their hatred turned into reluctant friendship and then love — but neither of them was exactly excited to admit their feelings. However, it was clear that these nemeses had become lovers before they knew it.
They talk about their lives for 18 hours when they first meet, then they don't even see each other again for five years. How heartbreaking is it to know someone so deeply but not feel like you can call them your friend? The happy ending is where the film reminds you that it's a romantic comedy.
Parents need to know that this movie, while set against the background of a strong friendship and filled with great romantic role models, contains many references to sex. Though no sex is actually shown, about a quarter of conversation revolves almost completely around the topic.
Estelle Reiner, who delivered the famous line "I'll have what she's having" after watching Meg Ryan fake an orgasm in the movie When Harry Met Sally, has died. According to The American Film Institute, Mrs. Reiner's famous line is No. 33 on its list of the Top 100 quotations from movies.
Sally was based on Ephron and some of her friends. Crystal came on board and made his own contributions to the screenplay. Ephron supplied the structure of the film with much of the dialogue based on the real-life friendship between Reiner and Crystal.
Reiner and Ephron condense the film down to romance and friendship – nothing else matters in the world of When Harry Met Sally and that's why it is so good. The film isn't preoccupied with external conflicts, thus allowing sex and relationships to be explored in minute and nuanced detail.
Harry Burns : I love that you get cold when it's 71 degrees out. I love that it takes you an hour and a half to order a sandwich. I love that you get a little crinkle above your nose when you're looking at me like I'm nuts. I love that after I spend the day with you, I can still smell your perfume on my clothes.
Did Harry Connick Jr sing in When Harry Met Sally?
The soundtrack for one of the biggest Hollywood successes of the 1980s, When Harry Met Sally... consists of standards performed by singer and pianist Harry Connick, Jr.. with a big band and orchestra arranged by Marc Shaiman.
Who was the actress in Sleepless in Seattle and When Harry Met Sally?
Meg Ryan the Venus of the 90s was probably in every romcom that made a mark back then. SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE, YOU'VE GOT MAIL, CITY OF ANGELS & WHEN MAN LOVES a WOMAN is titles that cannot be forgotten if you are indeed a fan of the genre.
Who was the star of When Harry Met Sally Sleepless in Seattle?
LOS ANGELES, Oct 31 (Reuters) - Meg Ryan, the actor who charmed audiences in "Sleepless in Seattle," "When Harry Met Sally" and "You've Got Mail," is returning to the big screen in a romantic comedy she also wrote, directed and produced.
Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal created romantic-comedy perfection in When Harry Met Sally — and viewers are still falling in love with their performances today.
Many of When Harry Met Sally's most famous scenes were shot on location in Manhattan—and you can actually see them with your own eyes. Read on to learn about all the real-life WHMS filming locations that anyone can visit.
