Meg Ryan: What to Watch

Meg Ryan, whose real name is Margaret Mary Emily Ann Hyra, was always one of my favorite actresses way back to when she played Betsy on As the World Turns in the early 80's. She was so adorable on that soap opera and progressed into one of the more appealing movie actresses of our time.

My favorite movies wherein Meg Ryan had lead roles are as follows:

Innerspace - This is one of those comedies that I can watch over and over again. She stars alongside her boyfriend at the time, as well as in the movie, Dennis Quaid and also starring Martin Short. The premise is that Quaid is to be miniaturized and injected into a rabbit for a military experiment. However, something goes wrong during a plan by the bad guys to steal the chips used for the miniaturization and he becomes injected into Martin Short. Quaid's character can communicate with Short while inside his body, but it takes a while for Short to accept that he is not possessed and that there really is someone inside him. This movie has loads of laughs and Meg is as adorable as ever.

When Harry Met Sally - A classic film she stars in alongside the great Billy Crystal. The chemistry between them is undeniable and to watch their relationship grow over the years from acquaintances to friends to lovers is very endearing. I'm sure you all know about the infamous fake orgasm scene that takes place in a restaurant which gets funnier every time you watch it.

Joe Versus the Volcano - Here is her first of several films where she starred alongside of Tom Hanks. These are two of my favorite actors together for the first time. The movie was not much of a hit, but it certainly was different. Hanks' character thinks he has only so long to live and is approached to sacrifice himself to a volcano so an entire inhabited island is not lost to an eruption. Meg plays several characters in the movie from a pitifully clueless secretary to sisters who are arranging and delivering Hanks to the island. It is worth the rent for a light romantic comedy with the classic Hanks' looks.

When a Man Loves a Woman - Here is a movie in which Meg got to flex more than her comedy muscles. She plays a woman with two children who has a major drinking problem. Her new husband, played by Andy Garcia, is trying to hold things together while she drinks herself into unconsciousness. This is a gritty, heart-wrenching film that shows Meg can handle a serious drama as easily as her comedies.

City of Angels - This is another intense and emotionally draining film where she stars as a heart surgeon questioning her ability to save lives. Nicolas Cage plays an angel who watches over her until one day she can actually see and talk to him and he opens up more than just her heart. It is a touching and emotionally seductive film that will have you choking back the tears in the end.