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Runaway Bride (PG, 1999)

common sense media says

Cute romantic comedy OK for most older kids.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that the PG rating comes from brief sexual references (please, someone, no more grandmothers making lusty comments as a source of humor -- that was tired back on the TV show "Phyllis"). Also, Maggie's father has a severe drinking problem which appears to be solved when she develops the courage to confront him about it.

Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: Brief and mild.
Language: Brief and mild.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Alcoholic character.
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More on Runaway Bride

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about the importance of being a full person yourself before you are capable of making a commitment to anyone else.

What's the story?

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. Graham's in luck -- Maggie is heading to the altar again. Ike befriends the people in Maggie's quaint Maryland home town, and her father (Paul Dooley) obligingly loans Ike the home videos of her three previous wedding attempts. At first, Ike hopes Maggie will bolt from the ceremony again, but as he gets to know Maggie, he begins to hope that she won't go through with it so that he can be fiance number five.

Is it any good?

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 1930's 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, this generation's Eve Arden, 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.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Paramount Pictures
Director: Garry Marshall
Cast: Joan Cusack, Julia Roberts, Richard Gere
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 116 minutes
Theatrical release: July 30, 1999
DVD release: January 25, 2000
MPAA Rating: PG
MPAA explanation: language and some suggestive dialogue
This review was written by Nell Minow
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

lorif
adult
 
Super Movie!
This was a great movie. A must see! Julia was wonderful and Richard was supurb as usual!
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helped me decide (4) | had useful details (6) | read my mind (4)
dancing girl
kid, 12 years old
9
 
Such a good movie! Sad that the woman always runs away though.
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helped me decide (3) | had useful details (4) | read my mind (4)
lollypop12
teen, 14 years old
9
 
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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helped me decide (3) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (3)
movie_Nerd102
adult
 
REALLY FUNNY
some iffy jokes but nothing you havent heard
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helped me decide (3) | had useful details (2) | read my mind (2)

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