Top 5 Love Moments in Nora Ephron Movies
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By Shawnee Mead
As the creator of a podcast dedicated to the works of Nora Ephron, I’m very familiar with her movies and how love shows up in them. For this list, I steered away from the more obvious choices to focus on some more underrated moments that explore love in all its forms.
5. This Is My Life
At its core Nora Ephron’s directorial debut This Is My Life is about the love between mothers and daughters and between sisters. Early on in the film, Dottie, Erica, and Opal act out an imaginary talk show on the couch, which is clearly a favorite game for the trio. It’s such a fun and sweet moment, and perfectly illustrates their bond as a family.
4. You’ve Got Mail
Kathleen decides to close The Shop Around the Corner and shares her uncertainty about her future with Birdie. In true friend fashion, Birdie’s response is equal parts supportive and brutally honest: “You are daring to imagine that you could have a different life. Oh, I know it doesn't feel like that. You feel like a big fat failure now. But you’re not. You are marching into the unknown armed with… Nothing.”
3. Sleepless in Seattle
Nora was always a pro at writing female friendships, and Annie and Becky watching An Affair to Remember is a perfect example of this. The moment they start crying while reciting their favorite lines along with Deborah Kerr and Cary Grant is reminiscent of all great childhood sleepovers, and is a truly perfect best friend moment.
2. Sleepless in Seattle
After being (lovingly) ambushed by Jonah into being on Dr. Fieldstone’s radio show, Sam describes everything he loved about his late wife Maggie. This moment is equal parts romantic and heartbreaking, and gives you real insight into Sam’s character. “It was like coming home...only to no home I’d ever known… I was just taking her hand to help her out of a car and I knew. It was like...magic.”
1. When Harry Met Sally
After a phone call with Sally and Harry about their friends-to-lovers drama, Marie turns to Jess and says “Tell me I’ll never have to be out there again.” To which Jess replies: “You’ll never have to be out there again”. It may not be a big love confession or a grand gesture, but it’s equally as romantic as it’s about two people who are already in love reaffirming their commitment to each other.
Shawnee Mead is the creator and host of The Podcast Around the Corner: The Nora Ephron Podcast.