When Harry Met Sally... Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		5.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

When Harry Met Sally... Blu-ray Movie Review

Considering the mediocre quality of work he issues today (including “Shock and Awe,” “And So It Goes,” and “LBJ”), it’s amazing to reflect on the career run director Rob Reiner enjoyed during the 1980s and the very early 1990s. He was on fire, creating classics with alarming regularity, including “This Is Spinal Tap,” “Princess Bride,” and “Stand by Me.” And then there was 1989’s “When Harry Met Sally...,” a modest romantic comedy released during an event movie-heavy summer season that managed to become the sleeper hit of the year, also bringing Reiner’s helming powers to a new level, teaming up with screenwriter Nora Ephron to deliver an examination of gender relationships as they’re complicated by emotional ties and physical attraction. “When Harry Met Sally...” is hilarious, one the finest funny films of the decade, but Reiner manages to craft something silly and sincere, paying close attention to the wilds of human behavior and discomfort while tending to superb mischief, primarily engineered by co-star Billy Crystal. It’s a gem, and one made from the heart, giving Reiner one last gasp of perfection before his filmography gradually headed toward the wall.

When Harry Met Sally... Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Originally released on Blu-ray back in 2011, "When Harry Met Sally..." returns to physical media courtesy of Shout Factory, boasting a "4K scan of the original camera negative." The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation offers fresh life for the movie, which delivers vivid colors throughout, taking advantage of the cinematography's interest in autumnal and urban hues, while primary colors on clothing handles with care, creating deep reds and blues. Seasonal lighting also boosts visual appeal. Skintones are natural throughout. Detail is exceptional, presenting touchable textures on costuming, with the passage of time reflected in style, and New York City distances and decoration are sharp, permitting access to all corners of the frame. Facial surfaces are equally appealing, capturing wrinkles and fine hairs. Delineation is strong, never losing information. Grain is fine and filmic. Source is in top shape, without damage.

When Harry Met Sally... Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA sound mix isn't one to work very hard to create the ideal mood for "When Harry Met Sally...," leading with a frontal push of dialogue exchanges, which are offered here without distortion, maintaining the original comedic rhythms of the performances, keeping up with changes in tone, playfulness, and whispered longing. Scoring selections are precise, finding instrumentation clear and clean, capturing distinct piano playing, while broader soundtrack cuts support with definition and depth. Surrounds aren't very active, leaving the effort with a more direct, intimate listening event. Low-end is rarely challenged.

When Harry Met Sally... Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• "Scenes from a Friendship" (44:34, HD) sits down with Billy Crystal and Rob Reiner to discuss their longstanding friendship, which almost complicated casting for "When Harry Met Sally...," fearing their real-life connection wouldn't translate to the screen due to the professional setting. Talk of the rehearsal period is shared, refining the screenplay with Nora Ephron, who brought a valuable female perspective to the production. Creative impulses are highlighted, including the creation of the orgasm scene, building the cast and working with improvisation, and collecting tales of love from the couples on the couch. Select scene breakthroughs are celebrated, along with highlights from Carrie Fisher and Bruno Kirby. Crystal and Reiner also reflect on the popularity of the feature and the emotional authenticity of the movie, pointing out all kinds of character details. They close with choice anecdotes about the first test screening of "When Harry Met Sally" and its royal premiere in London.

• Commentary #1 features director Rob Reiner, screenwriter Nora Ephron, and actor Billy Crystal.

• Commentary #2 features Reiner.

• "How Harry Met Sally" (33:21, SD) is a 2000 featurette that explores the creation of "When Harry Met Sally...," featuring interviews with Reiner, Crystal, Ephron, Fisher, composer Marc Shaiman, hairstylist Barbara Lorenz, costume designer Gloria Gresham, Kirby (from 1988), and Meg Ryan (also from 1988). Personal touches are examined, tech achievements are celebrated, behaviors and casting are highlighted, and specific scenes are dissected, including the magic of shooting in New York City. Stories are amusing and informative, and additional perspective is provided by customers at Katz's Delicatessen, who share their love for the film.

• "It All Started Like This" (19:48, SD) is a 2008 meeting between Ephron and Reiner, who recount the early shaping of the script, which started life as an idea from Reiner. The pair shares an easy back and forth, recalling creative struggles and breakthroughs, personal quirks that made it into the script, and the creation of the orgasm scene.

• "What Harry Meeting Sally Meant" (12:29, SD) tries to crack the code on why "When Harry Met Sally..." was such a success with audiences, with Reiner, Fisher, Ephron, and Crystal returning to share their theories, and additional consideration is provided by film critics Richard Roeper and Thelma Adams.

• "I Love New York" (8:29, SD) analyzes just how the city was utilized in "When Harry Met Sally...," sharing the emotional meaning of locations, the style of living spaces, and vibe of being there.

• "So, Can Men and Women Be Friends?" (7:54, SD) dissect the nuances and tensions of relationships, with cast, crew, and college professors sharing their thoughts on the complexity of such intimate connections.

• Deleted Scenes (7:24, SD) offer improvisational time with Harry during his initial college drive with Sally, diner conversation between the pair about sexual history, Sally's cookie-making reflection on Harry, insomnia with Harry, deli conversation between Jess and Harry, couch time with Harry and Sally, and couch time with another married couple.

• "Creating Harry" (5:47, SD) offers cast, crew, and film critics a chance to break down the titular character, with the troubled man identified as something of an alter ego for Reiner.

• "Stories of Love" (5:10, SD) discuss the genesis and execution of the couch tales, with Reiner and Ephron using real stories to create the special moments.

• "When Rob Met Billy" (3:56, SD) is a short recap of Reiner and Crystal's friendship, initially meeting on the set of "All in the Family."

• "It Had To Be You" (2:50, SD) is a music video from Harry Connick, Jr.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:12, SD) is included.

When Harry Met Sally... Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"When Harry Met Sally..." finds everyone involved in the production at the top of their creative powers, with Ephron crafting one of the more magical and observant screenplays of her career, gifting Crystal his most appealing screen appearance, while Meg Ryan has never been better, slipping into her character's skin to execute potentially iffy quirks with complete grace. There's ace cinematography by Barry Sonnenfeld, fantastic soundtrack selections from Harry Connick, Jr. (back when he was the big new thing in retro music), charming supporting turns from the late Carrie Fisher and Bruno Kirby, and a gorgeous use of New York City locations, employing seasonal changes to set an ideal mood of movement for the picture. "When Harry Met Sally..." is a very special film, and one that's deftly balances warmth and worry, approaching the mysteries of love with amusing curiosity and, ultimately, belief in the power of movie magic.