I never thought I was going to be one of those people who say “Back in my day, things were different.” However, watching movies that are considered “old” (despite not being so old), makes me realize that times have indeed changed.

In 1998, I have the vivid memory of watching You’ve Got Mail in theaters and loving the idea of ??the main couple communicating by email. Likewise, I did not think bookstores were closing and I never imagined that I would live in New York, the city where the film takes place.

Twenty years have passed and the technology shown in the film can be laughable to someone younger and, unfortunately, bookstores are closing more and more. New York has also changed over 20 years, most notably with the 2001 attacks, but the fascination it causes in people remains the same.

It is not an exaggeration when I say that my image of New York began to form after watching this movie. How can you not love New York in the fall, as one of the characters asks?

Just a quick recap of the story: Kathleen Kelly (Meg Ryan) owns a small bookstore in the Upper West Side neighborhood that she inherited from her mother. Her business is going well until a mega bookstore begins to be built not far from there. Joe Fox (Tom Hanks) owns Fox Books and comes from a wealthy family. The two, therefore, become competitors.

At the same time, however, they communicate through e-mail after meeting each other online. They do not know the identity of the other, since they use the codenames “Shopgirl” and “NY152”.

Written and directed by Nora Ephron, You’ve Got Mail is based on the movie The Shop Around the Corner from 1940 which is based on a Hungarian play.

What, then, are the best things in the movie?

1 – Pride and Prejudice

Kathleen Kelly mentions that her favorite book is Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, which makes Joe read it as well. He criticizes the book, but the interesting thing is that their story is extremely similar to that of Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy.

Since I love the book too, it is impossible not to notice the parallels: he comes from an economic position superior to hers and is extremely proud. She, on the other hand, is prejudicial towards him and only after spending more time with Joe does she find out that he is not that bad.

2 – The Godfather

When Kathleen asks Joe for advice on how to solve a problem at work, his immediate response is “go to the mattresses”. As Kathleen does not understand the reference, he explains that it is part of the film The Godfather, claiming that the movie contains the solution to all of life’s problems.

Kathleen’s reaction is exactly mine to this day: why do men like this film so much? It is indeed a classic, but I’ve always found people’s obsession with it a bit exaggerated. Maybe that’s why I like this part of the movie so much.

3 – Starbucks: 6 choices to place one order

People who have trouble making choices, however small, probably do not like places like Starbucks, where you have to choose half a dozen options to buy a single drink. Of course, after going a few times, either you learn the options and it takes less time to choose, or memorizes your choice and always asks the same thing.

4 – Kathleen’s apartment

I have always loved her apartment, which looks very charming and cozy. Also, the apartment area is great. But after moving to New York, I realized that it is practically impossible to pay rent for place like that, especially if your business is on the verge of bankruptcy, as is the case in the movie. So either the apartment was already her family’s, or she is lucky and her apartment has a rent controlled apartment, as it happens in some (rare) places through the city.

Apparently, I’m not the only person who likes this apartment, since there are articles dedicated only to analyzing it.

5 – The Cast

Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks are great in the movie and the chemistry between the two is undeniable. The scene in which Kathleen is waiting for the mysterious NY152 in a cafe when Joe appears is one of the best in the film and demonstrates well the interaction of the two.

We cannot forget, however, the rest of the cast! Greg Kinnear plays Kathleen’s boyfriend and is one of those grumpy people who complains about the evolution of technology, capitalism in general and has strong political opinions (at a time when it was not so common to position oneself politically).

Dave Chappelle has a small but funny role as Joe’s friend.

6 – New York

Every season in the city is portrayed in the most romantic way possible. The Upper West Side is outstanding, as basically the whole story unfolds there, and it’s hard not to be enchanted by the city’s sights.

The reality, of course, is a bit different. But still, it is possible to walk around New York and visit the parks and streets that appear in the movie and feel as if you are in it!

Use the 20th anniversary of the movie as an excuse to watch it again! Or, if you have not seen it yet, that’s a good opportunity!