I picked a movie that's only 15 years old but one that I look at differently now that I'm a writer. You've Got Mail starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan is a romantic comedy about a big box bookstore that looks a lot like Barnes and Noble and how it puts a small independent bookstore out of business. Tom Hanks is the CEO of Fox Books and Meg Ryan owns and runs the cute little Shop Around the Corner Bookstore that she inherited from her mother.
The first time I saw it, I appreciated it as a very cute romance story with two excellent actors. But as I've rewatched it (many times) other things touch me. The battle between the independent booksellers and Fox books, a battle the small store can't win. The true love of books demonstrated so perfectly by Meg Ryan's character. Tom Hanks' dysfunctional family and his search for true love. The references to classics like Jane Austen and The Godfather. And the colorful secondary characters especially Jean Stapleton as Birdy. The development of a friendship leading to the romance. Most of all, the growth of both main characters. Joe Fox faces the reality of what his business model does to others and learns to apologize. Kathleen Kelly suffers failure and the loss of her beloved store but discovers she is a writer. She also learns to forgive Joe Fox. So many of those elements are the perfect ingredients for a great romance story. The outdated technology always feels nostalgic to me rather than annoying or distracting.
Did you ever see this movie? What did you like or not like about it? Is there a movie you loved as your younger self that you still enjoy or one that appealed years ago but no longer does?
25 comments:
I enjoyed this one too, it's hard for an movie not to eventually get outdated with technology, so no need to dwell on that.
It was a cute romantic comedy. Today, Fox would learn the power of eBooks and Amazon!
Yes! I really like this movie and it's been probably a good 8 years since I've seen it (I blame my DVR as I hardly ever scan through what's on cable on the weekends). I also view this a little differently now that our indie bookstores really are being swallowed up by the giants. Funny that the giant in this movie would most likely be swallowed up by Amazon.
I adore this movie. It's one of those that I love to watch on rainy days or when I just want to watch something cozy.
Sure I remember this movie... Fantastic writing! And Meg and Tom are fantastic!
Good choice, Susan....
It's been a while since I've seen it, but I think I'd like to see it again from a writer's POV...
Have a great weekend!
The technology stuff doesn't bother me either. I get a chuckle when I watch an old X-Files and I see Scully using her big ass cordless land line. Good stuff.
PS: What kind of muffins?
This movie was a joy to watch since it had implications on what was happening in the real world with books. I love bookstores, libraries and the neat way the main characters communicated what they might not have said face to face. I never thought of a computer as being a contributor to a romance before that.
I liked this movie, and both the actors, too.
Yeah, I love that movie. I never saw it when it first came out, but I watched it about a year ago for the first time. Nora Ephron told good stories. :)
I always remember this one and smile. Two of my favorite actors were in it!
I always liked those two together. The bookstore battle stood out for me the first time I watched, maybe because her bookstore had been run by her mother. And the movie has a good point that the universe forces you to do what you're meant to.
This was such a nice post.
You've Got Mail is kind of part of a trilogy for me, personally. There was Sleepless in Seattle, Joe V. the Volcano and this one--all pairing up Hanks with Ryan. By the time Ryan made this film, and this is totally, totally personal here, I felt like directors were leveraging the sweetheart qualities which had been so genuine in, say, When Harry Met Sally, that they were beginning to come off a touch affected. I think this is why she later made movies that played hard against type. It was her effort to escape that phenomenon, I think.
As, of the Hanks and Ryan triumvirate, I favor the quirky, unself-conscious, critical and box-office bomb, Joe V. the Volcano, You've Got Mail left some things to be desired for me.
I love, however, reading how well it worked for you. There is a line in that film that, to this day, I still play around with. Whenever I go up to the till and get ready to pay, if I happen to have a single dollar bill only in my wallet, I always say, 'I only have a dollar,' and lift it between two fingers as evidence. I get different responses from cashiers. Always fun to see how they handle it.
Also, one of my sisters (who adores YGM) and I text, every single year, 'Happy Thanksgiving.' 'Happy Thanksgiving. Back.'
I enjoyed your post, Susan. :)
The battle between the book superstore (Amazon) and the indie bookstores seems quite relevant in today's world.
I just quoted this movie the other day--I love when Meg Ryan emails about finally saying the perfect, cutting comment when insulted, but not feeling resulting elation but instead remorse. How perfect that Tom Hanks knows she regrets saying something cruel.
I also enjoyed this movie. It was interesting were the couple got to know each other and through that began to understand themselves.
Cute romance.
cheers, parsnip
I saw this movie when it first came out on video and didn't really care for it because it wasn't as good as Sleepless In Seattle. Your post intrigues me. I want to watch Mail again. I'll probably see it differently now.
Love,
Janie
It's been many years but I have seen this film as well as the older version. I always like movies with Hanks and I adore Meg Ryan. I need to see this one again.
Lee
Tossing It Out
i did enjoy this movie and it is one of the kind i have watched again--which there are not many i can say that about---oh yes there are quite a few old movies i will get my daughter to watch with me and as we are watching i find myself saying something like "well it was much funnier or scarier back then"
This was a good movie, but so many of these two actors' flicks were good,eh?
The thing I liked most about this one was the way you saw both sides of the story - the role of the Tom Hanks character and the Meg Ryan character were different and yet connected. Compromises had to be made, and characters had to grow!
I still appreciate that in a movie.
Great job!
Cherdo
www.cherdoontheflipside.com
Ha, I did see this movie at the time and I hadn't recalled the book store plot line... that's something that would stand out to me now though.
I have NEVER seen this movie. I kind of can't beleive that. Your review of it here is actually more appealing to me than the trailers were, so maybe I'll finally give it a go.
I've never seen it either, but as a rabid fan of small, independent bookstores, I'll have to find time for it! :-)
Ooh, great choice! I love this movie, I pull out our VHS copy pretty regularly to rewatch. I remember reading once that this movie is just a commercial for AOL and Starbucks, and the product-placement for these two is fairly glaring in the film... makes it very 90's. But it's a sweet, romantic little story. It came out the year my husband and I started dating and 'Dream' by the Cranberries from the movie is a favorite of ours.
I think my favorite scene is when Joe and Kathleen are pondering the possible meaning of 152 in the NY152 aol address, and the way he gags on his food when Kathleen says, "152 insights into my SOUL!" :)
Nancy at Hungry Enough To Eat Six
I've never seen this movie, but I'm glad you're able to still enjoy it after all this time!
I remember liking the movie (although I think I thought Hanks' character was a jerk) but it's been ages since I've seen it. I'll have to rewatch it one day!
I also feel a little nostalgic about aol and the outdated technology (Not that I want it BACK!) It just reminds me of when I first got married and had my first computer. This is a cute movie, but my favorite Meg Ryan films are French Kiss and When Harry Met Sally.
If you love this movie, you must watch "The Shop Around the Corner," the 1940 film upon which it is based.
Thanks for joining our hop, Susan!
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