Autumn at the Movies

Your favourite fall films

A few weeks ago, I asked both you and my Instagram followers for your favourite fall films. In case you are looking for something to watch, I thought I would share the compiled list with you here. Several of these I don’t think of as autumn films, which likely means that I need to rewatch them, though I think “autumn” often is as much about a mood as it is a visual recording of the season.

By far, the movie mentioned most often was When Harry Met Sally, which is truly a classic New York autumn film—it goes through every season over a decade, but there is just something about Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal in their tweed and chunky sweaters amongst the golden, fallen leaves that is incredibly evocative and sartorially inspiring. I recently rewatched Ryan’s triumvirate of iconic romantic comedies (When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle, and You’ve Got Mail) and it is the only one that I personally feel is any good (though her hair in Sleepless in Seattle is perfect)—I just can’t get behind the love story in You’ve Got Mail, though the Upper West Side does sparkle in it. I know others adore it and it was mentioned several times, so it is included below.

Interestingly, 1998 seems to have been a banner year for autumnal films with four movies making the list. Dustin Hoffman is the most featured star with three films.

Another seasonal film I love that no one mentioned is The Ice Storm; I have previously written about its production design.