You've Got Mail

by Carey Bunker | More from this Blogger

12 Jan 2007 12:38 PM

Joe Fox (Tom Hanks) is the son of the owner of one of the largest book chains in the United States, Fox Books. His company is opening their newest location in New York City, which just happens to be right around the corner from the "Shop Around the Corner" a beautiful one-of-a-kind children's bookstore owned by Kathleen Kelley (Meg Ryan). Kathleen is utterly distraught (though she keeps a brave face) that she might lose her store, which her mother had opened and operated until her death. When they finally meet in person, they immediately can't stand each other.

Joe is in a relationship with a slightly jaded children's book editor (Parker Posey), and Kathleen's boyfriend (Greg Kinnear) is a writer. While both are settled in their relationships, neither seems particularly happy. But Joe and Kathleen both enjoy an online relationship, each e-mailing a friend that they met in a chat room. Each agrees to eventually meet, feeling that maybe this other person could be their soul mate. Kathleen arrives first and patiently waits. Joe, arriving second, realizes that Kathleen is his online friend. He doesn't tell her, knowing that she won't have anything to do with him if she finds out the truth. So now, he must salvage his online relationship because he stood her up, and in "real life" he goes on a mission to help Kathleen and starts becoming her friend. He hopes that eventually she'll forgive him and that he can tell her the truth about his identity.

Eventually Kathleen sees that losing her store was not the end of the world and that perhaps life holds something else new and exciting for her, and that Joe is not the monster she made him out to be (she took it all personally, while to him it was just business). While Joe realizes that sometimes business is not just business and his personality begins to soften. Each leaves their significant others amicably and sets out on the new paths destiny has in store for them. The ending is cute and will satisfy the worst "chick-flick" craving.

"You've Got Mail" is a standard romantic comedy that does well because of the chemistry of its two leads. There is minimal language and while the movie would be fine for most ages, it's a movie Mom will probably enjoy the most. It is rated PG for some language. "You've Got Mail" is a re-make of the Judy Garland movie "In the Good Old Summertime" which, in turn, was a remake of "Shop Around the Corner" which starred Jimmy Stewart and Maureen O'Hara. "You've Got Mail" pays several homages to the two films.

Stars: Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan, Parker Posey, Greg Kinnear

Related Blogs: Joe Versus the Volcano Sleepless in Seattle

Learn more about Carey Bunker

My name is Carey and I've been a WAHM (work-at-home mom) for a little over 2 years. I have two boys, ages 5 1/2 and 2 1/2 and two recent "fur baby" adoptees from our local humane society.

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