When Harry Met Sally

When Harry meet Sally is a classic movie from 1989. It is a story about friendship, dating rules and a fear of intimacy. Everyone who saw the movie remembers the scene in the crowded cafe where Sally effectively fakes an orgasm, just to prove a point to Harry. It draws everyone in and then comes the iconic comedy line from the older lady—”I’ll have what she is having.”

I hadn’t realised how long it was since I had seen the movie until  my adult children on hearing the scene they came from upstairs to see what was going on—they couldn’t believe their ears. But what other themes does this movie about relationships address:

  • Bachelorhood
  • Coping with breakups
  • Dating scene
  • Grief and loss
  • Casual sex
  • Apologies
  • Anger management
  • Girlfriends
  • Fear of Intimacy
  • Fear of commitment
  • Guilt over relationships
  • New Years Eve traditions
  • Developing relationships
  • Commitment
  • Realising she/he is the one
  • Faking orgasms
  • Romance
  • The rules of dating
  • 80’s fashion
  • First Impressions
  • Embarrassment
  • Wanting Children
  •  Supportive Friends
  • Communication
  • Male Chauvinism
  • Male Bonding
  • Knowing it all behaviour

And for those who have never seen it or want to relive the experience—


The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel-Themes

Do you have movies that hold meaning for you from the first time you see them? What are the themes or life lessons of theses movie? Why do you enjoy it so much? One of these movies for me is the The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.

The first time I saw this movie was at the cinemas when it was first released. I had free movie tickets I needed to use before their expiry and I thought it looked like it would be fun. To me however, it turned out to be much more and I wanted to know why.

Recently, it was on television so I planned my night around it to ensure I didn’t miss seeing it again. This time, whilst still enjoying it, I was able to pick out the themes and life lessons it addressed, which helped me to understand my connection. Which ones do you connect with or did you get something else from the movie?

1. Finding your individual way in a world that is changing around you.

2. Growing older.

3. Cultural diversity.

4. Knowing when a relationship is past its expiry date.

5. Finding lost love.

6. Loneliness.

7. Listening and responding to others.

8. Treating people with respect and dignity.

9. Sexual Identity.

10. Team Work.

11. Non-compromising Standards.

12. Caste system.

13. Living your dream.

14. Discrimination.

15. Trying to hold things together.

16. Acceptance and understanding.

17. Fatalism.

18. Breaking down barriers.

19. Honesty.

20. Independence.

21. Generation Gap.

22. Having a double set of rules.

23. Set in your ways.

24. Like father, like son.

25. Putting things right.

26. Controlling mother.

27.  Letting go of the past.

28. Moving on.

The main quote used throughout the movie develops more power as the movie progresses. It is  a good code to life by, don’t stop—keep going until you get to the gold at the end of your rainbow.

“Everything will be alright in the end, so if it is not yet alright, it is not yet the end.”