Meg Ryan - You've Got Fan Mail

by Kelly Ann Beaton

I admit it. I love chick flicks. And as a fan of romantic comedies, I am a huge fan of Meg Ryan. Meg Ryan and chick flicks are a perfect pairing. Like strawberries and ice cream. Unfortunately, sometimes too much of a good thing can make you sick.

So I must confess that when Ms. Ryan decided to take a break from the romantic comedy genre, I respected her decision. She said that she needed to stretch herself as an actress and didn’t want to be type cast. I agreed. I wanted her to try new things too. I mean how many times could she work with Tom Hanks! With the unfair and albeit poor reviews of In the Cut (2003) and Against the Ropes (2004), it was time to take a break. I knew that I would not be seeing her for a while, but I never thought it would be this long.

During her sojourn, romantic comedies were not the same. The three Jennifers – Aniston, Garner and Lopez - could not fill her shoes. So I had to take to renting her classic films – When Harry Met Sally (1989), Joe Versus the Volcano (1990), Sleepless in Seattle(1993), French Kiss (1995) and You've Got Mail (1998), whenever I needed to be reminded of what is a great comedic actress.


So, I was thrilled to learn that Meg is back. She is starring in a re-make of George Cukor's 1939 classic The Women, which is scheduled to be released this September. I am doubly excited as it is also one of my favourite plays. Written by Clare Booth Luce. The Women tells the story of a group of gossipy, high-society women who spend their days at the beauty salon and haunting fashion shows. The sweet, happily-wedded Mary Haines (played by Ryan) finds her marriage in trouble when shop girl Crystal Allen gets her hooks into Mary's man. This all female cast also stars some of my favourite actresses Anette Bening, Candice Bergen, Bette Midler and Debi Mazar.

I hope her return to the comedic genre will not be her last!