Meg Ryan Reveals Her Favorite Director: 'You Wouldn't Want It to End'
The beloved romantic comedy star opens up about working with the late Nora Ephron, describing the magical atmosphere the acclaimed writer-director created on movie sets that made everyone wish filming would never stop.
Working with a director who transforms the stressful world of filmmaking into pure creative bliss is rare. Meg Ryan knows this feeling well. The celebrated actress has collaborated with industry giants like Oliver Stone, Tony Scott, Rob Reiner, and Jane Campion throughout her career. But when asked about her favorite director, Ryan points to one name above all others: Nora Ephron.
The Magic Behind the Camera
Ryan's admiration for Ephron runs deep, rooted in their multiple collaborations that helped define romantic comedies in the 1990s. Their partnership began in 1989 with "When Harry Met Sally," where Ephron served as writer and producer while Reiner directed. The film became a cultural phenomenon, asking the timeless question: Can men and women just be friends?
Ephron later stepped behind the camera as director, creating two unforgettable Ryan vehicles: "Sleepless in Seattle" and "You've Got Mail." Both films paired Ryan with Tom Hanks and captured the romantic comedy genre at its absolute peak.
Creating Joy on Set
Speaking with RogerEbert.com, Ryan described what made working with Ephron so special. The director, who passed away in 2012 at age 71, brought an infectious enthusiasm to every project. "She just had such joy in creating them, and she loved being there so much," Ryan explained. "Those days would end, and you wouldn't want the day to end. You wouldn't want the movie to end."
This wasn't just Ryan's experience. The entire cast and crew felt the same magnetic pull. "I'm pretty sure we all felt that way. We didn't want it to be over. So it was about the environment and keeping it like that," she continued.
Protecting the Creative Bubble
Ryan referenced a quote from Hugh Grant that perfectly captured Ephron's approach: "I once heard Hugh Grant say something about rom-coms being a balloon in a world of pins. And it's true, like you don't want it to be a world of pins. You want to keep the balloons floating in that. And Nora was great at that, keeping it pin-free."
This protective atmosphere allowed Ephron's deeply personal yet universally relatable stories to flourish. Her characters were flawed and sometimes frustrating, but audiences always rooted for them. Ephron understood that everyone deserves genuine love, and she translated this belief onto screen through characters on messy quests for romantic fulfillment.
Today, Ryan has moved into directing herself, most recently helming the 2023 romantic comedy "What Happens Next?" alongside David Duchovny. She draws inspiration from the directors who shaped her career, but Ephron's influence remains strongest. The late filmmaker's ability to create joy while crafting intelligent, witty scripts continues to guide Ryan's own creative journey.