AceShowbiz - Meg Ryan, celebrated as the queen of romantic comedies, recently discussed her films' enduring solace for audiences. At the Tribeca Festival Lisboa, Ryan noted, “A lot of people tell me they watch my movies when they’re sick,” expressing contentment with the comfort her genre provides.

This highlights the enduring impact of her work, including films such as Rob Reiner and Nora Ephron’s When Harry Met Sally, and her work on Sleepless in Seattle. Despite their timeless appeal, Ryan observed, “When we were making those movies, we didn’t think we were in any kind of golden age.”

However, Ryan notes the romantic comedy genre has stood the test of time, captivating new, younger audiences. She cited her own daughter’s appreciation for these films, explaining, “I think she loves the feeling that in that world, everything’s all right, the world’s gonna be okay. People fall in love, so they’re very comforting.” It offers reassurance, especially in troubled times.

Beyond acting, Meg Ryan has embraced directing. In 2023, she directed and starred in her rom-com, What Happens Later, alongside David Duchovny. This followed her 2015 directorial debut, Ithaca. On directing, Ryan stated, “I wish I’d done it earlier. It made me a better actor.” She sees directing as crucial to artistic reinvention.

Evolution defines Ryan’s artistic journey. “Seems like that’s what people do. When you grow and change, grow and change, it’s just not odd at all to me,” she told the Tribeca Festival Lisboa press. Her curiosity is evident in new projects: a design class and recent acting work on Good Sex, an upcoming Netflix rom-com directed by Lena Dunham, also featuring Natalie Portman, Rashida Jones, and Mark Ruffalo.

Driven by curiosity and constant learning, Ryan summarized, “You just keep trying to imagine yourself with a different hat every time. It’s a career for polymaths.” Her insights, shared at the Tribeca Festival Lisboa, highlight an artist dedicated to exploration and adaptability, with the festival concluding November 1.