It's brilliant because the scene makes a statement that really hits home for both sexes. Is Harry right? Can men and women never be friends because the sex part will get in the way? The audience wants to stick around until the end to find out. It's something we can all relate to. Also, the fact that Harry made this statement exposes a character flaw. He will need to change his way of thinking in order to become a better person and ultimately get what he really wants - Sally. I love this movie. Does anyone not love this movie?

Tom, agreed. And the great thing is that implicit in Harry's contention is a tension the story will have running through it the entire way. Will they, won't they? Plus it puts the central theme of the movie right out there. It really is a pretty amazing movie because it's so simple, almost entirely dialogue, and what happens is very tiny comparatively speaking to big action movies and what-not. And yet it's a totally compelling and satisfying film. Of course, it's helpful if the primary writer on the script was Nora Ephron.