Common Sense Media Review
Cute romantic comedy OK for most older kids.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
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Runaway Bride
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.
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?
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Movie Details
- In theaters : July 30, 1999
- On DVD or streaming : January 25, 2000
- Cast : Joan Cusack , Julia Roberts , Richard Gere
- Director : Garry Marshall
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Paramount Pictures
- Genre : Comedy
- Run time : 116 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : language and some suggestive dialogue
- Last updated : September 21, 2019
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