Why When Harry Met Sally . . . Is the Perfect Romantic Comedy

Updated on July 13, 2014 at 2:00 PM

No movie explores the question of friendships between men and women quite like When Harry Met Sally . . . — the ultimate will-they-or-won't-they romantic comedy. The film turns 25 this month, but more than two decades later, it's recognized as one of the best onscreen love stories of all time. Beyond the fun back-and-forth chemistry between Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan, the movie is also loved for its unforgettable one-liners. From "I'll have what she's having" to "I would be proud to partake of your pecan pie," the film is packed with quotable moments, including those from one of the final, swoon-worthy scenes: "I came here tonight because when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible." To celebrate the film's anniversary, look back on the famous love story to remember why it's such a perfect romantic comedy!

It's Not Love at First Sight

But There's a Lot of Charming Banter From the Get-Go

Harry Says a Lot of Big, Important Things

And They Realize They're Very, Very Different

Bottom Line: They're Just Friends

Later, There's More Witty Banter

And It All Feels Very Love/Hate Between Them

Through It All, Sally's Just . . . "OK"

But She Knows Exactly What She Wants

Like, EXACTLY What She Wants

And She Doesn't Try to Hide It

Harry and Sally Ease Into More of a Friendship

And Their Worlds Blend Together

They Have Sweet Late-Night Chats

And Sally Turns to Harry When She's Sad

She Feels Absolutely Hopeless

And There's a Lot of Ugly Crying

And Then WHOA They Cross the "Just Friends" Line

Spoiler Alert: That Doesn't End Well

But Harry Has an Epiphany and Finds Sally on New Year's Eve

He Says a Lot of Beautiful Things

And Sally Doesn't Even Know How to React

Seriously, He Says So Many Perfect Things It's Almost Unbelievable

Sally Can't Even, Because Ohmygod

But, You Guys, It's Love! It's Real Love!

Twelve years and three months after meeting, they live happily ever after. PERFECTION.