When Harry Met Sally...

Essentially concerned with the several meetings and partings of two college graduates over a decade or so, as life and love take their toll, this romantic comedy argues the question of whether men and women can ever have friendship without sex. The teaming of Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal is perfect, while supporting stars Carrie Fisher and Bruno Kirby are outstanding and add a welcome suggestion of edge. With its glitzy New York locations and beguiling soundtrack of popular standards, the movie offers a glamorised excursion into Woody Allen territory, and is a triumph of expert and irresistible escapist entertainment. The fake-orgasm-in-a-deli set piece propelled Ryan into stratospheric stardom, but there are numerous other pleasures to be found in Nora Ephron's Oscar-nominated screenplay and Rob Reiner's astute direction.