Relationships

Emotional, physical, or business relationships.

Movie: When Harry Met Sally

(Castle Rock, Columbia; 1989) color, 96 minutes; R-rating; genre-romantic comedy

Healing Themes:

• Relationships

• Dating

• Life after divorce

• Choosing a life partner

• Friendships

• Loneliness

• Sexual relationships

Director: Rob Reiner

Screenplay: Nora Ephron

Cast: Billy Crystal (Harry); Meg Ryan (Sally); Carrie Fisher (Marie); Bruno Kirby (Jess); Steven Ford (Joe); Lisa Jane Persky (Alice); Michelle Nicastro (Amanda); Kevin Rooney (Ira); Harley Kozak (Helen)

Synopsis: This story follows Harry (Billy Crystal) and Sally (Meg Ryan) from the time they meet just before sharing a cross country drive, through 12 years of chance encounters in New York City. This movie raises the question “Can men and women ever just be friends?”

Viewing Suggestion: As you view this film, think about the concept of two people becoming friends who choose not to have a sexual relationship because they feel it would ruin their friendship. Observe the different perspectives of these couples.

Exercise: Name circumstances where you became good friends with someone with no sex involved. Do you feel that decision saved your friendship? Do you feel that men and women can’t be friends because sex always gets in the way?

Availability: This movie is available for viewing by streaming from your favorite device through Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, etc. You can also buy this movie on sites such as Movies Unlimited.

Trivia: The character of Harry was based on director Rob Reiner’s own divorce and living the single life. Sally’s character was based on writer Nora Ephron and her friends.

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