When Harry Met Sally Almost Had La La Land's Heartbreaking Finale
Director Rob Reiner nearly gave his beloved romantic comedy a devastating conclusion that would have left audiences crushed, until real love changed everything during production.
Director Rob Reiner came dangerously close to breaking millions of hearts with his original vision for "When Harry Met Sally." The filmmaker initially planned to end his romantic masterpiece on a devastating note that would have mirrored the melancholy conclusion audiences experienced in "La La Land" nearly three decades later. Instead of the heartwarming reunion fans cherish today, Reiner's first draft called for Harry and Sally to part ways forever after a chance encounter years later.
The director's personal struggles with romance following his own difficult dating experiences heavily influenced this darker approach. As he explained to CNN, "It was going to be the two of them seeing each other after years, talking and then walking away from each other." This ending would have transformed one of cinema's most beloved feel-good movies into something entirely different.
Real Romance Rewrote Cinema History
Everything changed when Reiner met Michelle Singer on set. Their blossoming relationship completely shifted the director's perspective on love and relationships, ultimately saving the film from its originally planned tragic conclusion. The couple's connection was so profound that it convinced Reiner to abandon his cynical ending in favor of something more hopeful.
Reiner's transformation from skeptic to believer happened in real time during production. After a decade of marriage followed by ten years of single life, he had lost faith in lasting partnerships. "I had been married for 10 years. I'd been single for 10 years, and I couldn't figure out how I was ever going to be with anybody, and that gave birth to When Harry Met Sally. I met my wife Michele, who I've been married to now 35 years. I met her while we were making the film, and I changed the ending," he revealed.
Why the Happy Ending Was Essential
While "La La Land's" bittersweet finale worked perfectly for its themes of ambition and sacrifice, a similar approach would have completely undermined "When Harry Met Sally's" core message. The story fundamentally explores how genuine connection and mutual compromise form the foundation of lasting relationships. A separation would have contradicted everything the characters learned throughout their journey.
The decision to keep Harry and Sally together gave audiences one of cinema's most authentic declarations of love. Harry's final speech feels genuine and grounded rather than overly dramatic, likely influenced by Reiner's own newfound happiness with Singer. This personal touch elevated the material beyond typical romantic comedy territory into something that resonates decades later.
The film's enduring popularity proves Reiner made the right choice. "When Harry Met Sally" established the template for countless romantic comedies that followed, and its optimistic conclusion remains a source of comfort for viewers worldwide. A heartbreaking ending would have stripped away the movie's essential warmth and hope, leaving audiences with something far less memorable and meaningful.