My friends Sarah at Secret Art Expedition and Darren at The Arty Plantsman have started a Film Friday challenge. I’m joining today with the first movie that came to mind. You’ve Got Mail was my favorite movie from middle school probably through college. I can still sing along to the soundtrack and and recite most of the lines.
It’s a sweet rom-com with good actors and showcases New York City across three seasons. The movie really is an ode to the city. I’ve never really spent much time in New York City but I still have this romanticized notion of it from YGM. It’s a lovely movie overall, but the real reason I loved it is because wanted to be Kathleen Kelley (Meg Ryan) when I grew up. I wanted to own a little bookstore and work with quirky colleagues, wear a wardrobe straight out of J.Crew, live in a cute little townhouse apartment in the Upper West Side… maybe marry a millionaire with a boat?
You’ve Got Mail also introduced me to other things I also ended up loving: Pride and Prejudice (which was my favorite book for many years), the Shoe books by Noel Streatfeild, and Joni Mitchell.
I remember at the time Barnes and Noble was the big bookstore chain that was gobbling up local bookstores. The bookstore in my town where I’d go every Saturday went out of business after a B&N opened. Who knew that twenty years later it’d be the big, bad B&N being squeezed by online retail *cough Amazon*?
There are so many memorable lines from the movie. Below are just a few random ones from off the top of my head.
You’ve Got Mail was recently added to the Netflix catalog so I rewatched it for the first time in years. It was just as lovely as I remembered, and there was the added nostalgia for simpler times of dial-up Internet and no cell phones.
Have you seen You’ve Got Mail? If so, do you have any favorite scenes? Or I’d love to know some of your favorite movies from your formative years, let me know in the comments!
A wonderful sheep 
So happy you’re joining us!! π And it’s not just supposed to be in April but for however long we can stand it. π (Since I’m a film geek this might go on forever! π)
Loved YGM but haven’t watched in years – here’s hoping they’ll bring it on tv again soon. π Also loved Meg’s character – who wouldn’t want to own a little bookstore? I always wanted to. π The only problem would be that I wouldn’t want to sell any of the books! π Thanks for bringing this wonderful movie back to my mind! And I love that you illustrated some of your favourite lines and scenes!!! β€
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Oh ok got it! I will also amend my post. And I’m glad you also liked YGM. It’s just a nice, feel good movie and I think it inspired me in the way Indiana inspired you! β€ Haha I love how you feel about books. I actually wanted to own a bookstore when I was young (before I saw YGM) because I thought the job meant I could sit around and read books all day. π
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Wouldn’t that be a perfect job?! πβ€
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One of my favorites was the Ghost World and the Breakfast Club. I donβt know why, the lead character Enid didnβt have much in common with me, but somehow I saw my (wandering) self in her. Oh, and I canβt miss Love Letter and Hanna and Alice by Iwai Shuwunji. =)
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I never saw Ghost World, but I’d like to! I’m curious about Enid now! And Love Letter! I think you introduced me to that film and I rewatched it several times back when I had it on DVD π Visiting Hokkaido is definitely on my bucket list π
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I have not seen this since I saw it on TV years ago. I remember enjoying it so must watch it again!
Thank you so much for joining in and bringing your fab illustrations too! Like Sarah says- there is no time limit on this. My own list would take me just under a year at one per week!
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Thanks for hosting this fun challenge, Darren! I’ve already started thinking about my post for this week, and it’s got the creative juices flowing. See you Friday, and stay safe and well til then! π
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Thank you and you stay safe and well too!π
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I LOVE YOUR DRAWINGS AND HANDWRITING – YES, I’M USING ALL CAPS BECAUSE I’M SHOUTING AT YOU. THEY ARE SO FRICKIN CUTE.
ENDS.
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HAHAHAIHEARYOURSHOUTING ANDYOU’VEGOTME EXCITEDTOO! I’MSHOUTINGREALLYFAST RIGHTBACKATYOU! YAYYYYYY :DDDDDDD HAVEAGOODDAYLANIANDBEWELL!!! <33333
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HHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAA
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My gosh, I was just thinking about this movie the other day. Yes, I really enjoyed it too. The scene that comes to mind is the little boy spelling F-O-X over and over, and Tom Hanks getting nervous. Haha! π
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Ahaha that’s a great one! You remind me of the scene right after that one as Tom Hanks hurriedly leaves the store and closes the door on his balloon: “Good thing it wasn’t the fish”) Hehe π
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I have to confess, I’ve never seen this. I couldn’t figure out why until I checked the release date and realised I had a baby at the beginning of that year and only managed to watch two movies the whole year (both on video, so I saw them lots of times).
I love your drawings, and review so I will go in search of it.
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Aha! Yes being a new mom would certainly restrict theater going! π I feel it’s also one of those movies that is also an ode to a place (New York City). And watching it back now it’s fun to remember the days of dial up. π
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After reading this post I desperately wanted to see this movie, and I just did! My favorite scene is when Joe opens up his heart to Kathleen before revealing his identity – the almost last scene starting with βsometimes I wonder ~.β I found it so romantic I had to watch the scene several times!
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Aww I didn’t know you hadn’t seen YGM before. I’m glad you liked it. (μ¬μ€ μ°λ¦¬κ° μ’μν μ λ°μ μλ μνμ§) The whole movie is full of great scenes, including that one. The whole dialogue is replaying in my mind now. I remember Joe asking Kathleen to forgive him for the little thing of putting her out of business. “Oh how I wish you would.” β‘
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