 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Runaway Bride
- Review Date: May 19, 2003
- PG
- Genre: Comedy
- 1999
Common Sense Media says
Cute romantic comedy OK for most older kids.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that the comedy Runaway Bride is fairy-tale light and will appeal to tweens and teens, as well as adults who like their romance on the fantasy side rather than dealing with real, flawed people and thorny situations. Even the trickiest problems are easily resolved, and, of course, everyone lives happily ever after. One punch is thrown; a character is an alcoholic (without the usual drama associated with that addiction); and there are a few off-color terms sprinkled throughout (such as "schmuck," "asshole," "pain in the ass"). There's little on-camera sexuality except for some romantic kissing and the implication that the characters are, and have been, sexually active. A few skimpy costumes are worn at a Hawaiian luau, and one T-shirt clearly reads: "Mountaineers do it against the wall." Lots of clear product placement.
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?
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.
What families can talk 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?
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AGE
Super Movie!
This was a great movie. A must see! Julia was wonderful and Richard was supurb as usual!
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Kid, 12 years old
July 22, 2010
AGE
Such a good movie! Sad that the woman always runs away though.
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AGE
REALLY FUNNY
some iffy jokes but nothing you havent heard
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AGE
God for any one 9+ who likes a part romance and all comandy
I really liked thus movie it's a cute flick. The only conserns might be kissing and the alchole but it has a good message and the acting is really great!!! :) I deffenetly recomend seeing it as it a movie toy shouldn't miss!!!!!
The storey line s that there's this girl who would always go to vet married and she wold end up leaving the guy at the church.
In the end youncind out how this one guy who's name I can't remember at the mo wohs her.
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| Studio: | Paramount Pictures |
| Director: | Garry Marshall |
| Cast: | Joan Cusack, Julia Roberts, Richard Gere |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 116 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | July 30, 1999 |
| DVD release date: | January 25, 2000 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
| MPAA explanation: | language and some suggestive dialogue |
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