Cozy Cinema: “You’ve Got Mail” Still Delivers

Open Your Heart

The 1998 Nora Ephron film is the epitome of cozy cinema. There’s the magic of Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, whose characters are involved in an online romance amid an offline rivalry.

Warner Bros.

There’s also scene-stealing Parker “I’m having my eyes lasered” Posey, the sunny romantic-comedy genre, witty script, and a crisp New York in the Fall. Although it could be seen as somewhat dated, for one of its supporting characters is AOL’s “You’ve Got Mail” announcement, the film still holds true today, as contemporary social-media outlets can also serve as an option for (love) connection, yet now more Wi-Fi than dial-up. Timeless themes of opposites attract, internal beauty as crucial component, and a faith (and fate) in love (“the dream of someone else”) make this film a feel-good essential.

Joe (Tom Hanks) has an epiphany he’s stuck in more places than just an elevator: