State’s Classic Film series selection highlights Crystal, Ryan rom-com
A classic romantic comedy will be shown on the big screen at the State Theatre Center for the Arts in Uniontown just in time for Valentine’s Day.
The Rob Reiner classic “When Harry Met Sally…” will be the February selection for The State Theatre Center for Art’s Classic Film Series showing at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Feb. 9.
Reiner, also known for his work on benchmark films like “Stand by Me,” “A Few Good Men” and “The Princess Bride,” directed the film not long after his own divorce. His perspective paired with a script by Nora Ephron (“You’ve Got Mail” and “Sleepless in Seattle”), created a rom-com that set a standard for future genre films.
The story starts with Harry (Billy Crystal, “Forget Paris” and “City Slickers”) and Sally (Meg Ryan, “You’ve Got Mail” and “City of Angels”) as friends and recent college graduates. A shared, friendly car ride raises questions about relationships, while both share differing opinions. A declaration of attraction, however, leaves them parting on bad terms.
It isn’t until five years later that another encounter has audiences learning about how their personal lives have progressed. It’s another five years, though, until they pick up their conversations about relationships. When New Year’s Eve finally rolls around, audiences follow Harry and Sally through the next chapter of their friendship and eventual relationship.
The film’s supporting cast also adds to the success of the film with the likes of the late, great Carrie Fisher (“Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope” and “Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back”) as Marie Fisher, Bruno Kirby (“Good Morning, Vietnam” and “Sleepers”) as Jess Fisher, Steven Ford (“Starship Troopers” and “Armageddon”) as Joe, Lisa Jane Persky (“The Great Santini” and “The Cotton Club”) as Alice and Michelle Nicastro (“The Swan Princess” and “It’s Garry Shandling’s Show”) as Amanda Reese.
Though going on 30 years old, “When Harry Met Sally…” holds a steady 89 percent fresh rating from critics and audiences from the media review website, RottenTomatoes.com, while members of the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) have given it 7.6 out of 10 stars.
In the summer of 1989 after the film’s release, Dave Kehr wrote for the Chicago Tribune that “When Harry Met Sally…” is a nod to Woody Allen.
“If Woody Allen isn’t going to make Woody Allen movies anymore, somebody has to do it, and it might as well be Rob Reiner,” Kehr wrote.
“The picture works well enough, though as some cost in dramatic conviction and depth of feeling,” he continued.
Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for seniors, students or children. The film is rated R.
“When Harry Met Sally…” is part of the classic film series that is supported by the Herald-Standard Be Local program and sponsored by 84 Lumber, Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and Spa and the Hardy and Magerko families, along with the State Theatre.
Coming soon
The 2017-18 Classic Film Series will also include: “North by Northwest” (March 9, 2018), “The Alamo” (April 13, 2018) and “The Goonies” (May 18, 2018).