A romantic comedy by definition “deals with love in a light, humorous way,” and Nora Ephron’s film, You’ve Got Mail does just that (www.dictionary.com). Rather than explore the dark side of internet chat rooms, Ephron presents a romanticized view of an online relationship by capitalizing on fascination with new technology, the anonymity of the Internet, and the proven chemistry of the movie’s stars, Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. The movie’s take on romance and social media reflects 1998, the year it came out in theaters, and may seem innocent and dated in today’s 24/7 connected world. Nancy Jo Sales states it this way, “you didn’t carry around AOL chat in your pocket or look at it when you were in class. With smart phones and apps, there are no boundaries”
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Even in their bickering, hateful moments towards each other, the spark Hanks and Ryan have on the screen causes audiences to connect with them as a couple more strongly than they feel a dislike or disapproval of their online “cheating”. Ephron always had Hanks and Ryan in mind for the starring roles and commented that, “It’s very hard if you write a comedy to not think about both of them, because they are so good” (“About the Production”). Joe Fox could easily have come off as creepy or a jerk, but by casting Hanks, Ephron used his charmed because “he is so irresistible that he can play the bad guy and you never once believe that he doesn’t truly have a heart” (“About the Production”). By pairing Hanks with Ryan their proven screen chemistry just added to the audience appeal since Ephron declares, “I think Tom and Meg share something, which is that men and women love them in equal amounts” (“About the Production”). In the beginning we see just how much Fox and Kelly are infatuated with each other through their excitement in their back and forth email chats. As they go throughout their day, we see the two characters act happy and giddy around their coworkers and friends who begin to wonder why they are acting this way. Fox and Kelly even repeat some of the things that the other said in their email form that morning. Kelly is talking to one of her coworkers and randomly quotes things that Fox said to her, “Don’t you just love New York in the fall?” or “a bouquet of sharpened pencils” (Ephron). While Fox says to one of his coworkers, “You’re right I hear nothing. Nothing. Not a sound on the city streets. Just the beat of my own heart” (Ephron). This blissful, “online” feeling does not, however, match their bitter
Even in their bickering, hateful moments towards each other, the spark Hanks and Ryan have on the screen causes audiences to connect with them as a couple more strongly than they feel a dislike or disapproval of their online “cheating”. Ephron always had Hanks and Ryan in mind for the starring roles and commented that, “It’s very hard if you write a comedy to not think about both of them, because they are so good” (“About the Production”). Joe Fox could easily have come off as creepy or a jerk, but by casting Hanks, Ephron used his charmed because “he is so irresistible that he can play the bad guy and you never once believe that he doesn’t truly have a heart” (“About the Production”). By pairing Hanks with Ryan their proven screen chemistry just added to the audience appeal since Ephron declares, “I think Tom and Meg share something, which is that men and women love them in equal amounts” (“About the Production”). In the beginning we see just how much Fox and Kelly are infatuated with each other through their excitement in their back and forth email chats. As they go throughout their day, we see the two characters act happy and giddy around their coworkers and friends who begin to wonder why they are acting this way. Fox and Kelly even repeat some of the things that the other said in their email form that morning. Kelly is talking to one of her coworkers and randomly quotes things that Fox said to her, “Don’t you just love New York in the fall?” or “a bouquet of sharpened pencils” (Ephron). While Fox says to one of his coworkers, “You’re right I hear nothing. Nothing. Not a sound on the city streets. Just the beat of my own heart” (Ephron). This blissful, “online” feeling does not, however, match their bitter