MovieChat Forums > When Harry Met Sally... (1989) Discussion > Casting

Casting

posted 8 years ago by JaneThree
2 replies | jump to latest

IMO the movie is perfectly cast except for Harley Kozak as Helen. She's only in one scene but is such a wet blanket I can't see what would attach Harry to her. Even Steven Ford, who played Joe in that one scene, had qualities where you could see why Sally couldn't get over him. He had a sense of humor, was good-looking in a star quarterback way, and a lawyer. He was sort of the ideal of what girls wanted then, even if it was more about all the boxes he checked off instead of him. But Helen? Bad hair, bad clothes, bad personality. Even in two lines we could see that. I've liked Harley Kozak in other movies of the time, but this was off.

[–] duckofprey (1557) 7 years ago

I could easily see Albert Brooks in the Harry role.

I think both the Harry and Sally roles are so well written and designed that you could have made the film using any one of up to 10 or more actors or actresses and the end film would have had the same overall success. Each with a different dynamic but nonetheless great.

[–] sfeudy20 (37) 5 years ago

Interesting..I just happened to see this part and would like to offer my take: I think your comment might be more about the script and character of Helen, rather than HJK portrayal. It's safe to assume Helen is aware that her decision to divorce Harry has since left him hurt and depressed. So, it stands to reason she would approach an unexpected encounter with her ex-husband in a more cautious and solemn manner. We are not seeing the likable side of her, nor would it be necessary to the plot.