Rhiannon Hendricks
The 1989 American romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally... is a beloved classic starring Billy Crystal, Meg Ryan, Carrie Fisher, and Bruno Kirby. The film follows the title characters, Harry and Sally, over twelve years of chance encounters in New York, exploring whether men and women can ever truly be just friends. In the film, Marie, played by the late Carrie Fisher, is Sally's best friend and a fan favourite. Marie's wedding dress, designed by costume designer Gloria Gresham, is a memorable part of the film, with some describing it as '80s-tragic'.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wedding Dress in Movie | Carrie Fisher's character Marie's wedding dress |
| Costume Designer | Gloria Gresham |
| Year | 1989 |
| Description | Full-on '80s tragic |
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What You'll Learn
Marie's wedding dress designer, Gloria Gresham
Marie's wedding dress in the 1989 romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally... was designed by Gloria Gresham. Gresham was also responsible for the film's costumes, including Marie's (played by Carrie Fisher) other outfits, as well as those of Sally Albright (Meg Ryan) and Harry Burns (Billy Crystal).
Gresham's costume design for Marie's wedding dress has been described as "80s-tragic" by GQ, who also suggested that viewers "Google Carrie Fisher's wedding dress in this movie if you want to cringe."
The film, directed by Rob Reiner and written by Nora Ephron, follows the title characters from their first meeting in Chicago through twelve years of chance encounters in New York. It explores the question of whether men and women can ever be just friends.
Marie eventually marries Harry's best friend, Jess, after a series of less-than-great choices in her love life. Her wedding to Jess is the setting for a heated argument between Harry and Sally, which leads to them declaring their love for each other and marrying three months later.
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Marie's love life and marriage to Jess
Marie, played by Carrie Fisher in the 1989 romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally..., is known for her role as Sally's best friend. Marie's love life is depicted as a series of less-than-great choices. She carries a literal Rolodex of men in her handbag, determined to set herself and her friends up with as many men as it takes to find the right one. Despite her efforts, Marie never seems to find lasting love. We never meet her cheating, lying, dining-table-buying boyfriend, but we do witness her instant connection with Jess, Harry's best friend, at a staged setup with Sally to avoid her own sexual tension with Harry.
Marie and Jess's relationship begins at their wedding, a full-on '80s-tragic affair, where Harry and Sally have a heated argument that cools their friendship. The audience is left to assume that Marie and Jess's marriage is short-lived, as they do not appear together at the 1988 New Year's Eve party, where Sally and Harry eventually declare their love for each other.
Marie's character breaks the mold of the typical best friend in a romantic comedy, as she is portrayed as a whole person with a lived-in friendship with Sally that feels real and authentic. Her story arc, though secondary to the main couple, is memorable and impactful, solidifying her place as the real star of the movie.
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Harry and Sally's relationship timeline
1977
Harry Burns and Sally Albright graduate from the University of Chicago.
1977-1982
Harry and Sally meet and share a drive to New York City. They discuss their differing ideas about relationships, with Harry asserting that men and women cannot be friends due to sexual attraction, which Sally disagrees with. During a stop at a diner, Harry tells Sally she is attractive, and she accuses him of making a pass. They part ways in New York, not intending to stay in touch.
1982
Five years after their first meeting, Harry and Sally serendipitously meet again at an airport and end up on the same flight. Sally is dating Harry's neighbour, Joe, and Harry is engaged to Helen. They decide to try being friends, despite their conflicting views on male-female friendships.
1982-1987
Harry and Sally maintain their friendship over the next five years, sharing the intimate details of their lives.
1987
Sally tearfully calls Harry, revealing that her ex-boyfriend, Joe, is getting married. Harry goes to comfort her, and they end up having sex.
1987-1988
After their sexual encounter, Harry and Sally's friendship cools down. They have a heated argument at the wedding reception of their mutual friends, Jess and Marie. Harry tries to repair their relationship, but Sally is hesitant.
1988
At a New Year's Eve party with Jess and Marie, Sally misses Harry's company. Just before midnight, Harry shows up and confesses his love for Sally. She initially resists, thinking he is lonely, but he convinces her by listing his reasons for loving her.
1988
Three months after Harry's declaration of love, Harry and Sally get married, exactly 12 years and three months after they first met.
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The film's costume design
The costume designer for When Harry Met Sally... was Gloria Gresham. Gresham dressed Meg Ryan's Sally Albright in a tweed coat and brown outfit, as well as a diner outfit.
The film is a romantic comedy, and the costumes reflect the light-hearted and often comedic tone. For example, Harry's (Billy Crystal) love for light-wash jeans is a recurring theme, with one review noting that they are the "third protagonist" of the film.
Harry's outfits have been ranked for their "'horny-making superpowers", with one of his sports coats and denim shirt combinations being described as "sexy post-divorce with this depressed French literature professor look".
Carrie Fisher's character, Marie, is also known for her fashion choices. Marie's wedding dress has been described as "80s-tragic". Marie is known for her determination to find love, carrying a literal Rolodex of men in her handbag.
The film's costumes have also been analysed for what they reveal about the characters. One review notes that Harry's light-wash jeans reflect his "schlubby" personality, and that he is a "divorced dad".
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The film's production and inspiration
The 1989 American romantic comedy "When Harry Met Sally..." was directed by Rob Reiner and written by Nora Ephron. Reiner and Ephron met in 1984 over lunch at the Russian Tea Room in New York City to develop the film. Reiner and Ephron based the characters of Harry and Sally on Reiner and Ephron themselves, respectively, as well as some of Ephron's friends. Reiner and Ephron's real-life friendship also served as inspiration for much of the dialogue. The film's premise was inspired by Reiner's divorce from comedian/filmmaker Penny Marshall, and Billy Crystal's experience of Reiner's return to single life. Crystal also contributed to the screenplay.
The film stars Billy Crystal, Meg Ryan, Carrie Fisher, and Bruno Kirby. Tom Hanks, Richard Dreyfuss, Michael Keaton, and Albert Brooks were all offered the role of Harry Burns but turned it down. The soundtrack consists of standards from Harry Connick Jr., with a big band and orchestra arranged by Marc Shaiman.
The film follows the title characters from the time they meet in Chicago and share a drive to New York City, through twelve years of chance encounters in New York, and addresses the question, "Can men and women ever just be friends?". The film grossed $92.8 million in North America and received critical acclaim. Ephron received a British Academy Film Award, an Oscar nomination, and a Writers Guild of America Award nomination for her screenplay. The film has also appeared on numerous lists of the top comedy and romantic films in American cinema. In 2004, the film was adapted for the stage in a Theatre Royal Haymarket production. In 2022, the film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".
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Frequently asked questions
The name of the film is When Harry Met Sally.
The wedding dress was designed by costume designer Gloria Gresham.
Carrie Fisher played the character Marie, the best friend of Sally (Meg Ryan).
Marie marries Harry's best friend, Jess (Bruno Kirby).
When Harry Met Sally is a romantic comedy that follows the title characters from the time they meet in Chicago and share a drive to New York City through twelve years of chance encounters in New York. It addresses the Q: "Can men and women ever just be friends?"
