152 (Or Just 7) Insights into My Soul

“What is it with men and The Godfather?” A good question, but an even better one is what is our obsession with You’ve Got Mail?

Or building on top of that, what makes us come back over and over to a story, whatever form it takes? How does anything build a dedicated audience?

I’ve written about this idea and Frozen before: What was it about that movie that made it an absolute success rocket? One of my points was that the stories of love, both sibling and romantic, offered a much deeper, accessible connection for audiences of any age, compared to, say, a story like Sleeping Beauty.

Of course, I connected my points to writing: “We can churn out content all we want, but how thoughtful are we toward our audience? How helpful are we trying to be? Relating to other people is what we should strive for, both professionally and personally, because without a human connection of any kind, what’s the point?”

So, here we are in the Upper West Side thinking about what has brought us back here over and over again. Thank yer, ladies and gentlemen. And now, let’s dissect the appeal.

1. The character of Kathleen Kelly is relatable.

   She does things like sit at a coffee shop or go grocery shopping or see a movie. She goes out to dinner. She runs her little store. She has a small circle of friends.
   
   And we do those things too. And maybe we’ve wondered at some point or another exactly what she expresses to Frank in the beginning: “Sometimes I wonder about my life. I lead a small life – well, valuable, but small – and sometimes I wonder, do I do it because I like it, or because I haven’t been brave?”
   
   Also, there is an appreciated lack of plastic (shall we say) in this movie—she’s not heavily made up, her looks aren’t unattainable, her clothes are endearing and stylish, and her decorum, with her innocuous sense of humor, exudes a level of self-respect and magnanimity.

2. The character of Kathleen Kelly is romantic.

   Let’s be honest—if we could completely relate to a character, why would we bother watching a movie?
   
   But the qualities/life situation of Kathleen Kelly that I can’t relate to—her geographic location, her occupation, her apartment, Joe Fox, etc.—I can at least admire and in some cases wish about myself.
   
   While watching the movie recently, my sister said to me, “I could see you owning a bookstore like that.” A comment I will treasure always.

3. Starbucks.

   Starbucks is an equalizer, a leveler of playing fields so to speak. (Not just Starbucks but coffee shops in general. I think Dunkin’s America Runs on Dunkin’ campaign is so brilliant. You really do see all types of people from all different backgrounds—an anthropology lesson at the drive-thru window).
   
   I don’t own an enchanting children’s bookstore or have that adorable haircut. BUT I do have a myriad Starbucks within a five-mile radius of my apartment.
   
   So I can go there, and just as Joe Fox says, “for only $2.95 (although, like, way more now), get not just a cup of coffee but an absolutely defining sense of self: Tall. Decaf. Cappuccino.”

4. The style.

   I can’t tell you how many times I’ve wanted to drive myself to a local salon, plunk money on the counter and say, “Give me the haircut of Meg Ryan in You’ve Got Mail.”
   
   And her wardrobe. Even 20ish years after the movie came out, her outfits are still relevant, and I still want every single one. If I had to pick just one though, I’d choose the oufit she’s wearing when you see her at Starbucks and then she, George and Christina are standing in the street watching the Fox Books construction. I want that sweater!

5. The locale.

   Of course! Everyone loves NYC. But this movie presents to us a delightful microcosm of an already magnificent locale.
   
   The stage is the lovely Upper West Side, and the scene changes take us from one lovely spot to the next, leaving audiences even more entranced with one of the greatest cities on earth.

6. The specifics.

   This movie is teeming with specifics—a quality of good writing that emits genuineness.
   
   The Upper West Side, Starbucks, Carmel Macchiatos, The Shoe Books, Zabars, Joni Mitchell, The Godfather, Café Lalo, typewriters, Riverside Park, Dinosaur pop-up book, Scotch tape, daisies, Pride and Prejudice, Brinkley, mangoes, Generalissimo Franco.
   
   I could go on really, but you get the idea.

7. The appeal of Tom Hanks.

   The point being, connect everything to Tom Hanks. Kidding, kidding. I’m actually trying to say look beyond the the surface value. Dig deeper beyond the obvious.
   
   Superficially speaking, Tom Hanks is not hunky or model material, but man alive is he a dream in this movie. The saddest scene (to me) takes place in Café Lalo—she hurts his feelings, demonstrating that even the rich Joe Fox is vulnerable.
   
   And the cherry on top is his email response (as NY152) to Shopgirl about not showing up for their meeting—he assures her that her remarks were deserved, throwing himself under the bus (even unbeknownst to her).
   
   On the flip side, one of my favorite scenes is when he visits the ill Kathleen Kelly, bringing her daisies. To me, this simple but touching gesture speaks volumes about him. (OK, really, he had me at the beginning with the line about bouquets of sharpened pencils.)

In conclusion:

Joe Fox: Don’t cry, Shopgirl. Don’t cry.

Kathleen Kelly: I wanted it to be you. I wanted it to be you so badly.