Nora Ephron's Sister Delia Reflects on Making 'You've Got Mail' Together: 'That Movie Is Very Meaningful to Me' (Exclusive)
The sisters co-wrote the now classic 1998 romantic comedy together
The sisters co-wrote the now classic 1998 romantic comedy together Kristina Bumphrey/Variety via Getty Delia Ephron in 2024:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Delia-Ephron-opening-night-of-Left-on-Tenth-112224-c04771481a054040a342224d62f9b841.jpg "Delia Ephron at the Broadway opening night of")
Nora Ephron's sister, Delia Ephron, is reflecting on the "very meaningful" movie You've Got Mail.
Speaking with PEOPLE exclusively at the opening night of her new Broadway show Left on Tenth at the James Earl Jones Theater on Oct. 23 in New York City, the writer opened up about how much the classic rom-com — which she co-wrote with her sister — means to her.
The now classic holiday film follows a family-owned children's bookstore owner (Meg Ryan) and a corporate bookstore mogul (Tom Hanks) who fall in love anonymously online without knowing they are real-life rivals.
"The love for that movie is very meaningful to me because Nora and I love books," Ephron said of their decision to set much of the movie in a quaint bookshop. "And when we made that movie we had to figure out what business they were in, and we always tried to find something we cared the most about," she explained.
"And we love children's books so much, so she — that character — is a children's bookstore owner and that's what that movie is for me." Richrd Corkery/NY Daily News via Getty Delia Ephron and Nora Ephron in 2009
When asked how she feels about the movie inspiring the popular "Meg Ryan Fall" trend on social media — in which people use Meg Ryan's You've Got Mail aesthetic for fall wardrobe inspiration, including sweaters, oversized blazers, baggy pants, loafers — the playwright admitted she had "absolutely no idea" what to make of it.
She did note, however, that her sister — who died in 2012 at the age of 71 — was deeply involved in creating the film's iconic look.
"[Nora] just loved dressing," Ephron. "I mean, she loved the design of the movie, and that movie reflects New York, and Meg and Tom both reflect New York and the Upper West Side, which is where we were both living then."
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. John Lamparski/Getty Julianna Margulies, Delia Ephron, Daryl Roth, Susan Stroman and Peter Gallagher in 2024
Related: Meg Ryan, 62, Channels Her '90s Self in Effortlessly Cool Outfit: See Her Look!
For her part, Ryan, 63, revealed she thinks the viral trend is "the cutest thing ever" while speaking to PEOPLE in October 2023. "I saw pictures of girls trying on hats. I don't know why it has anything remotely to do with me, but it is so sweet. It kills me," she said.
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As for the secret to pulling off the look?
“There are certain types of blazers that I like," Ryan revealed. "There's certain flat shoes, basically orthopedic-looking shoes, and baggy pants."
Left on Tenth — which is based on Ephron's bestselling memoir of the same name — stars Julianna Margulies and Peter Gallagher. It is currently playing at the James Earl Jones Theater in New York City.
