It seems fitting to blog about Nora Ephron's film You've Got Mail this week. I never really thought of myself as a Nora Ephron fan, but I guess I am. And this film is an adorable slice of the 1990s. Remember when it was exciting to get email? Before spam?
How can you not love a RomCom about books that refers to Pride and Prejudice in a lovely scene in a coffee shop where the guy has actually read the book (even though he can't stand it)? Ah, yes,and he has a Golden Retriever to boot!
Kathleen Kelly: Confession. I have read Pride and Prejudice two hundred times. I get lost in the language, words like 'Thither, Mischance, Felicity'. I'm always in agony over whether Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy are going to get together. Ah! Read it. I know you'll love it.
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| Meg Ryan as Kathleen Kelly |
Kathleen Kelly: Once I read a story about a butterfly in the subway, and today, I saw one! It got on at 42nd and off at 59th, where, I assume, it was going to Bloomingdales to buy a hat that will turn out to be a mistake, as almost all hats are.
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| Tom Hanks as Joe Fox |
Joe Fox: Don't you love New York in the fall? It makes me wanna buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address. On the other hand, this not knowing has its charms.
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| The Shop Around The Corner |
Kathleen Kelly: When you read a book as a child, it becomes a part of your identity in a way that no other reading in your whole life does.
Joe Fox: I could never be with someone who like Joni Mitchell. "It's clouds illusions I recall/I really don't know clouds at all." What does that mean? Is she a pilot? Is she taking flying lessons? It's probably a metaphor for something, but I don't know what.
Joe Fox: Don't cry, Shopgirl. Don't cry.
Kathleen Kelly: I wanted it to be you. I wanted it to be you so badly.
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Thanks Nora. We're really going to miss you. But we'll always have You've Got Mail!
Thanks for this post! Makes me remember Ephron and this wonderful movie! :)
ReplyDeleteLoved, loved, loved this movie. My husband and kids still love to watch this movie.
ReplyDeleteIt is not possible to express how much I adore this movie. Every time I am under the weather, which is a lot in the winter, I watch it. It may be stressful for the characters, but the movie is comforting to me.
ReplyDeleteThe Nora Ephron commentary for this film is what introduced me to her. She will be missed.
Even my teenage daughter pops up with lines from it. One of our favorites is "Don't you think daisies are the friendliest flower?"
Thank you for something pleasant to think about with my morning coffee, and thank you Nora.
I watch this film every time I get a cold! Don't know why, but no other movie comforts me as well when I'm under the weather. On the other hand, the original 1940 The Shop Around the Corner is my pick-me-up movie when I feel lonely. I adore them both!
ReplyDeleteWhen I heard the news that Nora Ephron had died, I felt like I had lost a friend - she's such a fantastic writer and director, and has left us with some amazing films and quotable lines. I was enchanted when I first saw this film, and immediately wanted to live in New York and run a children's bookstore (well, that particular children's bookstore). I particularly love the line about the reading that you do as a child becoming part of your identity. I think that was in the speech that mentioned "Anne of Green Gables" - any screenwriter who can work in those references, is OK in my book!
ReplyDeleteI'm also glad that someone else mentioned The Shop Around the Corner (with Jimmy Stewart and Margaret O'Sullivan) - a great classic movie that often shows on TCM. Keep an eye out for it, 'cause it's wonderful.
Now I have this film (You've Got Mail) running through my head - will have to watch it again ASAP. (My kids asked, though, what the dialling and beeping sounds were - the sounds of early internet service!)
Thank you, Nora, for everything you gave us while you were here!
I loved this movie and really enjoyed your tribute to it--nicely done.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this movie! I can recite the dialog along with the actors!
ReplyDelete...and Sleepless in Seattle and When Harry Met Sally - real 'make you feel good' movies. i've never paid much attention to screenplay writers, directors and all those wonderfully creative people that make a movie - always been blown over by the actors - big mistake, cause really...is it not them, who help to make the stars sparkle?
ReplyDeletekudos to Nora's talents
a classic movie. i look forward to sharing all my favorites when our daughter gets older.
ReplyDeleteAhh, I love this film!! One of my absolute favorites. I just watched it today in fact, then watched all the extras, then watched it again with Ephron's commentary >.< Did I say I love it?
ReplyDeleteIt's perfect - it's got books, romance, bookSTORES, letters (albeit in electronic form) and it's so much about the written word. I only wish they could've incorporated more books into it. Perfect perfect movie.
Cheers to all the You've Got Mail fans out there. It doesn't seem that long ago that the internet was new. This film is classic Nora Ephron and her love of books shines through.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of watching this when you are ill. Perhaps I'll pick up some daisies the next time I have a cold and snuggle in!!!
I love this movie so so much!
ReplyDeleteThank you for this post!
Silvia