by Gaynell Parker

Created on: March 19, 2009

There was a time when we could hear the names Meg Ryan teamed with Tom Hanks in a movie and know we had a treat in store. Even just knowing Meg Ryan was in a movie, used to make me want to see it. There was something between her and Tom Hanks, however, that made whatever movie they made together wonderful. You've Got Mail was the last in their collective efforts, though I don't know if it was the best.

The movie starts with two total strangers who have become friends over the internet through a chat room. They don't share anything personal, they don't talk about their real lives, but they chat about every day things and know small clues about each other. They are in a safe relationship in a world that rapidly becomes crazy.

Both are in relationships with other people, and both are seasoned adults who are ready for the real thing read to discover love and permanence: Marriage.

Unfortunately, in real life, they are on opposite sides of the business coin. Tom Hank's character is the owner of a large discount bookstore chain that is rapidly taking over the world as we know it. His father and grandfather are still alive and going strong, equally vested in the family business both of whom cannot have a strong, lasting relationship.

Meg Ryan's character seems more centered, more able to connect, but she's still a naive girl at heart. She owns a delightful small bookshop that caters to the individual, has personal touches and all the employees could talk about any book in the store without having to read the blurb on the inside cover. They have been with the store forever, her accountant since her mother ran the store. She is successful in an average way and happy with her life; to a point.

Tom Hank's is happy with his life also to a point.

Both of them want more out of their relationships, more out of life. He is willing to take their on-line flirtation to the next step meeting in person. She's reluctant.

When his company builds a new store in her neighborhood, threatening her business livelihood, things come to a head for her and she agrees to meet him.

Meanwhile, she has actually met him as he's come into her store with his aunt and his little brother on their spoiling day. She doesn't know who he is, but he knows her; which is where the story plays on. They meet later at a mutual author's home and she discovers that he's actually the owner of the store edging in on her market. The meeting is not a friendly one, and neither leaves with good feelings.

When she agrees to meet

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