Celebrating Rob Reiner: When Harry Met Sally

Celebrating Rob Reiner: Through “When Harry Met Sally”.

Among Reiner’s most beloved films is When Harry Met Sally... (1989), a romantic comedy screenplay by Rob Reiner, Nora Ephron. Starring Billy Crystal, Meg Ryan, Carrie Fisher, and Bruno Kirby, the film follows the title characters from the moment they meet in Chicago and share a drive to New York City, through twelve years of chance encounters, and addresses the timeless question: "Can men and women ever just be friends?"

The story begins in 1977, when fresh-faced graduates Harry Burns and Sally Albright embark on a bickering road trip from Chicago to New York, sparking a spirited debate about platonic friendships between the sexes. A decade later, fate reunites them in a bookstore, where, alongside their witty best friends Jess and Marie, they navigate the tricky waters of friendship, determined to keep romance at bay. The film became a cultural touchstone, featuring the iconic deli scene and Reiner’s signature blend of sharp dialogue, warmth, and relatable characters.