Of all the '90s romantic comedies out there, The Godfather, which motivates and inspires Joe throughout his life.
While some parts are definitely dated, from the dial-up Internet to the fashion, You've Got Mail is considered a beloved classic and there are many ways that it feels totally relevant and relatable to today's audiences.
The Promise And Hope Of The Fall Season
Those who adore fall must love to love You've Got Mail, especially when Joe says, "Don't you love New York in the fall? It makes me wanna buy school supplies."
Now that the season of Autumn has become super popular in recent years, it's no wonder that this movie feels even more fun to watch over and over again. Both Joe and Kathleen appreciate the fresh start that September, October, and November give them, and while they don't realize that they're working against each other at first, they each have an optimistic worldview at the start of the story. The love that this movie has for fall is just one reason why it's a fan favorite Nora Ephron movie.
Threats To The Physical Bookstore
It's safe to say that You've Got Mail predicted just how much the landscape of bookstores would change in the coming years. When Joe's chain bookstore spells total doom for Kathleen's adorable children's bookshop, the movie is making a statement about the changing culture and how technology never stays the same.
Today, websites like Amazon are a big threat to smaller, indie-run businesses, and many can relate to Kathleen's desire to keep her store running, as a neighborhood bookstore feels like a treasure that must be ed.
Joe And Kathleen's Obstacle-Ridden Relationship
Joe and Kathleen don't meet a party, naturally begin dating, and fall deeply in love. The fact that the business rivals don't know that they're talking to each other online is funny, and Joe's stiff, corporate personality and Kathleen's charm don't seem like they can mix at first. While the pair has a romantic comedy meet cute since they first talk in a chat room, they have to suffer a lot before they can be happy.
No matter how many years have ed the movie was first in theaters, Joe and Kathleen's problems feel as fresh as ever. They have different values and morals, and this is something that they have to overcome if they're going to be together for real.
Kathleen Spending A Lot Of Time On Her Computer
Although Kathleen is a lover of books and her life's dream is to run her mom's children's bookstore, she does log some serious hours chatting with Joe on her laptop. The movie opens with that familiar and nostalgic AOL dial-up sound and audiences learn that Kathleen has been enjoying messaging back and forth with a mysterious person.
While laptops might be a bit more high-tech now and Internet is definitely faster, this element of the '90s movie rings true today. It's easy to imagine that if this movie took place today, Kathleen would be just as obsessed with her iPhone as everyone else.
Unique Family Situations
You've Got Mail shows that the typical, traditional family unit isn't the only way that people can care about each other. Joe has a half-brother who is four years old and an aunt who is 11 thanks to his dad's marriage, which makes for a unique and complicated family tree. Kathleen also considers her employees to be her family and it's sweet watching them celebrate Christmas together as it's clear that they're a big part of each other's lives.
It's great that this movie reflects the different family units that people are a part of, and it's also a sweet and heartwarming reminder that good pals can be just as important and meaningful as relatives.
Staying In A Relationship Too Long
This beloved movie also looks at what happens when two different couples stay together for much longer than they should. When examining the personality types of You've Got Mail characters, Kathleen's partner Frank stands out for being a conceited writer who loves the sound of his own voice (or the look of his own written words). Joe also dates Patricia and realizes that they don't have much in common.
Even though this movie was released in 1998 and many years have ed, movie fans can still relate to this aspect of it as it can be a struggle to know when to let go of a long-term relationship that is going fairly well but just isn't as magical as it could be.
The Portrayal Of Online Dating
When Kathleen hopes to meet Joe for the first time, he doesn't show up at the restaurant, and she's left confused and concerned, feeling terribly that he stood her up. She put so many hopes and dreams into this meeting and it seems like it's all gone. This is a very familiar and awkward scene for anyone who has tried dating via apps or websites, as it's impossible to know if a total stranger will actually show up.
If the movie was released today, Kathleen and Joe would likely meet on a dating app, as it's amazing to think that the pair is essentially online dating even though it wouldn't be popular and mainstream for many more years.
The Importance Of Online Privacy
When Joe and Kathleen first begin talking, they agree to not share their names, jobs, or any information that could identify them.
While they don't talk about online privacy or the dangers of giving personal information to a total stranger, this is still a relevant subject that people talk about today. Even though Kathleen feels a strong connection with Joe, she has no idea who he is and she's careful not to share too much until they agree to meet in person.
The Popularity Of Starbucks
One of Joe's most relatable and funny You've Got Mail quotes is when he talks about people who can't make decisions asking for complicated drinks at Starbucks. While the coffee chain is now a staple in most cities, back in the '90s it was the height of humor to talk about what a "tall" meant and why people wanted such a wild-sounding combination of flavors.
Now that Starbucks is not only everywhere but loving coffee has definitely become even more popular in recent years, this aspect of You've Got Mail feels even more relevant.
Frank's Journalism Career
Kathleen's partner Frank is a funny reporter who is a bit full of himself and he writes about his left-wing political views for a New York City newspaper. He takes his job super seriously and he often meets people who are impressed with his work, especially Joe's partner Patricia.
Frank's journalism career definitely holds up today as the written word still holds a lot of power, especially when someone is writing about political opinion. If the movie was made now, Frank's character wouldn't have to change at all.
