Deborah Chan
The wedding reception scene in the 1989 romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally... sees Harry and Sally, who have recently slept together, attend the wedding of their best friends, Jess and Marie. The reception is the setting for a blowout fight between the pair, whose friendship has cooled since they had sex. The scene is one of many in the film that was inspired by the real-life friendship between director Rob Reiner and actor Billy Crystal, who plays Harry. The film's writer, Nora Ephron, also based much of the screenplay on her own experiences.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Setting | Jess and Marie's wedding reception |
| Occasion | Harry and Sally's best friends are getting married |
| Plot | Harry and Sally have a heated argument |
| Reason | Harry and Sally had slept together before the wedding, and their differing expectations caused a fallout |
| Theme | Complicated friendship and romance |
| Tone | Relatable, comedic, and emotional |
| Impact | The scene is memorable and impactful, contributing to the film's overall popularity |
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What You'll Learn
Harry and Sally's fight at the wedding reception
The scene captures the complicated dynamics of their friendship-turned-romance. Harry and Sally's relationship has been a journey, starting as friends and eventually crossing the line into a romantic encounter. However, their post-coital expectations differ, causing a rift in their relationship. The wedding reception becomes the unfortunate setting for their argument, likely influenced by the romantic atmosphere and the contrast between the happy couple and their own complicated situation.
The specific details of their fight are not known, but it can be surmised that their differing expectations and the resulting tension led to an intense exchange of words. The scene is relatable for anyone who has navigated the blurred lines between friendship and romance, and the audience witnesses the raw emotions and complexities that arise when two friends find themselves in such a situation.
Harry and Sally's fight is a turning point in the film, leading them to reevaluate their relationship. Despite the blowout, they eventually reconcile, and the film concludes with them declaring their love for each other and getting married. The wedding reception scene serves as a crucial catalyst, forcing Harry and Sally to confront their true feelings and paving the way for their eventual reunion.
The film "When Harry Met Sally" is renowned for its exploration of the dynamics between men and women, with writer Nora Ephron conducting extensive interviews with director Rob Reiner about his dating experiences. The wedding reception scene encapsulates the complexities of relationships, showcasing the challenges that arise when friends find themselves on different pages regarding their romantic involvement.
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The film's original ending
The original ending of the film "When Harry Met Sally" was quite different from the final cut. In the first draft of the script, Harry and Sally were not supposed to get together. The ending was envisioned as more somber and depressing, reflecting director Rob Reiner's cynical outlook on love at the time. Reiner had been going through a divorce and a 10-year period of being single, which influenced his perspective on the film's conclusion.
In the original ending, Harry and Sally were meant to meet each other years later, have a conversation, and then walk away from each other, their lives continuing on separate paths. This ending was in line with the film's exploration of the question: "Can men and women ever just be friends without sex getting in the way?" The original concept for the film, as conceived by Reiner and Ephron, was to create a story that delved into this question and presented a more pessimistic view of romance.
However, during the production of the film, Reiner met his future wife, photographer Michele Singer. This real-life romance inspired him to change the ending of the film, giving it a more optimistic tone. He fell in love and wanted to reflect that in the story, showing that love is possible even after heartache and years of being single.
As a result, the ending was rewritten to include a romantic finale where Harry and Sally reunite at a New Year's Eve party. Harry delivers an endearing speech, professing his love for Sally, and they ultimately end up together. This ending transformed the film into a feel-good classic, solidifying its place as one of the greatest romantic comedies of all time.
The change in the ending also impacted the overall message of the film. The original ending emphasized the difficulty of finding love and the possibility of remaining just friends. However, the new ending celebrated the idea that love can conquer all, even the challenges posed by time and circumstance.
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The 'Baby Fishmouth' drawing scene
The Baby Fishmouth drawing scene in the classic romantic comedy "When Harry Met Sally" is a memorable and iconic moment in the film. This scene is largely improvised and showcases the brilliant acting skills of Meg Ryan, who plays Sally. It also highlights the unique dynamic between the lead characters and their friends, Jess (Bruno Kirby) and Marie (Carrie Fisher).
In this scene, Sally, who is distraught after learning that her ex-boyfriend Joe is getting married, invites Harry over to her place. As she welcomes Harry, Sally is a mess of emotions, crying and trying to hold herself together. This moment beautifully captures what director Rob Reiner describes as "comedy-cry," a delicate balance between genuine feelings of hurt and eliciting laughter from the audience.
The scene then shifts to a game where Harry, Jess, and Marie attempt to guess what Sally is drawing. Sally's drawing, meant to depict "baby talk," is intentionally vague and poorly executed, adding to the hilarity of the moment. The scene is best remembered for Kirby's confident shout of "Baby Fishmouth!" in response to Sally's drawing.
The Baby Fishmouth drawing scene not only showcases the comedic talents of the actors but also serves as a pivotal moment in the film's exploration of the complex relationship between Harry and Sally. It captures the raw emotions of a heartbroken Sally and sets the stage for the development of their friendship, which eventually blossoms into romance.
This scene is a testament to the brilliant writing, directing, and acting that came together to create the beloved classic "When Harry Met Sally." It's no wonder that even after 30 years, this film and its iconic scenes continue to be celebrated and cherished by audiences worldwide.
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The 'I'll have what she's having' line
The famous line "I'll have what she's having" from the film "When Harry Met Sally" was not in the original script. The scene in question sees Harry and Sally having lunch at Katz's Delicatessen, a well-known Jewish deli in Manhattan, where they are arguing about a man's ability to recognize when a woman is faking an orgasm. Sally claims that men cannot tell the difference and, to prove her point, she fakes an orgasm (fully clothed) as other diners watch.
The line was suggested by Billy Crystal, who played Harry, after he and Meg Ryan, who played Sally, improvised the entire orgasm scene. The scene was originally supposed to discuss "faking it" without an actual demonstration. It was Ryan's idea for Sally to fake an orgasm, and Crystal suggested that a female customer, played by Reiner's mother, Estelle Reiner, deliver the punchline in response to Sally's orgasm.
The scene has been described as "transcendent" and "transgressive", with Ryan's performance turning the tables on Harry's "hyperverbal macho arrogance". The scene has been credited with changing the way people talk about sex and has been ranked 33rd on the AFI's 100 Years... 100 Movie Quotes list of memorable movie lines.
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The 'Katz's Delicatessen' scene
The Katz's Delicatessen scene is one of the most iconic scenes in the film "When Harry Met Sally". It was filmed at the hundred-plus-year-old Katz Delicatessen on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, a well-known Jewish deli. In the scene, Harry and Sally are arguing about a man's ability to recognize when a woman is faking an orgasm. Sally claims that men cannot tell the difference and, to prove her point, she vividly (while fully clothed) demonstrates how women can fake it as the other diners watch. This scene has been recreated and referenced multiple times, including in an advert for Hellmann's mayonnaise during Super Bowl LIX and in a scene reenactment contest hosted by Katz's Delicatessen in 2019 to celebrate the film's 30th anniversary. The restaurant offered fans the chance to sit at the same table where the scene was filmed and judge who could fake it best. Katz's Delicatessen has become a popular destination for cinephiles due to its appearance in the film, and it continues to celebrate the legacy of "When Harry Met Sally" with special events and promotions.
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Frequently asked questions
At the wedding reception of their best friends, Jess and Marie, Harry and Sally have a blowout fight. This happens after Harry and Sally sleep together for the first time, which leads to a fallout due to their differing expectations.
Harry and Sally's fight at the wedding reception is a result of their complicated relationship. They have differing expectations after sleeping together for the first time.
After the wedding reception, Harry and Sally go their separate ways and meet new romantic partners.
At a New Year's Eve party, Harry declares his love for Sally, and they get married three months later.
