Parents' Guide to

Runaway Bride

By Nell Minow, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

Cute romantic comedy OK for most older kids.

Movie PG 1999 116 minutes
Runaway Bride Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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age 11+

Based on 3 parent reviews

MomTime
MomTime Adult
February 22, 2013
age 11+

Pretty Entertaining, Some sexual dialogue you should know about.

It was enjoyable enough to watch with my sixth grader, but I would have appreciated a "heads up" on the dialogue re: her being afraid of the wedding night and the "one eyed snake". Then she goes on to say she has tamed it already. Otherwise just the curse words already mentioned (a-hole being the worst). Pretty cute, a girl movie mostly.

This title has:

Too much sex
2 people found this helpful.
1654monroe
1654monroe Parent of 10-year-old
April 9, 2021
age 10+
This movie was amazing! It has a great plot and the actors are incredible. It does contain some mature content though, the father of the main character, Maggie Carpenter, has a drinking problem, and there is some cursing. I think that the plot would be a little confusing for younger kids, but older kids will definitely enjoy it!!

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Too much swearing
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
1 person found this helpful.
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

The stars and director of Pretty Woman reunited for this romantic comedy, which gets rolling when cynical USA Today columnist Ike Graham (Richard Gere) writes an irate column about Maggie Carpenter (Julia Roberts), a small-town woman who has left three grooms at the altar. When she writes the paper to point out 15 inaccuracies, he is fired by his editor and former wife (Rita Wilson). So, he goes to investigate Maggie, hoping to write a story about her that will vindicate him and restore his career. He's in luck -- Maggie is heading to the altar again, so he goes to her her quaint Maryland hometown, where the wedding will be, befriending the town folk and Maggies' father (Paul Dooley). At first he hopes she'll bolt again so he'll get a good story. But before long, he's hoping her plans fall through so he can be her next finace.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (3 ):
Kids say (4 ):

When people say, "They don't make movies like that anymore," this is the kind of movie they mean. It is a fine tribute to those classic 1930s screwball romantic comedies. Roberts and Gere create real screen magic together. Gere displays a previously unsuspected light comic talent that is utterly disarming. Roberts just gets better and better; like the character she plays, she is learning to rise above her "excessively flirtatious energy."

The indispensable Joan Cusack plays Maggie's best friend, utterly supportive despite having to live through four different bridesmaid's dresses. And three cheers for adding a small but genuine dose of psychological insight to give a little bit of substance to the story. Both Ike and Maggie have to learn something about themselves before they can move forward together.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the importance of being a mature person yourself before you are capable of making a commitment to anyone else.

  • Hoe does Runaway Bride compare with other Julia Roberts movies you've seen?

  • How does this movie stack up against other romantic comedies?

Movie Details

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