Runaway Bride (1999) Review

Maggie Carpenter has been engaged to marry a few times but never actually made it to the “I do” moment. So report Ike Graham writes a story on her in the national paper, but without actually collecting any facts. This leads him to the small town to find out the truth . . .

This is the second film outing for Julia Roberts and Richard Gere after the success of Pretty Woman. This shows that they still have a fantastic chemistry and possibly an even better story in this one. It has some very cute and lovely moments which is exactly what you want in a romantic comedy. Not forgetting it’s funny moments as well, I have lost count how many times I have seen this film. I have it on DVD yet still found myself picking to watch it on Netflix UK last night.

Maggie just cannot really explain why exactly she ends up not marrying the man she is engaged too, especially considering she actually changes her mind as she is walking down the aisle. Each of these failed attempts had been caught on camera so we can also get to see what happened as Ike is putting together his article on Maggie. She agrees to do it as they are going to put a positive spin on her fourth attempt will actually be successful.

This is a romantic comedy so we know that the ending is going to be obvious but it has some very nice moments along the way. You are rooting for them both and really get behind Maggie and Ike, even if they don’t actually end up together in the best of ways. An incredible little speech is used first by Ike and then by Maggie later on and it is probably one of the more truthful things you will hear in a romantic comedy. Mentioning tough times makes it sound more real, which is one of the reasons I really like that moment and this film.

It probably is one of those films where you have to like Roberts and Gere, but it is still in my opinion one of the better romantic comedies that you will still find. Julia Roberts really was on a role in the 90s with her rom coms and you can’t really go wrong with any of them. I may just be a little biased considering she is one of my favourite actresses but this does have plenty of charm in it. As long as you don’t expect too much from it but that should be a rule for all romantic comedies in all honesty.

Joan Cusack offers good support as the best friend and gives some funny moment as well. If you haven’t seen this one you never know you might just like it more than Pretty Woman. I think parts of it are much better in all honesty and just shows that even if you aren’t actually looking for love it might just find you. I like moments like that in films where you can just tell by the look that they have fallen for each other. If you are lucky in life you will experience that look, fortunately I think I have already. But what happens if that look is with the wrong person? That certainly happens in this film and leads to a punch!

If you want to see Roberts and Gere at rom-com’s best then get round to watching this (if you haven’t already seen it).