Runaway Bride (1999)

A reporter is assigned to write a story about a woman who has left a string of fiances at the altar.

Director:

Garry Marshall

Writers:

Josann McGibbon, Sara Parriott

Stars:

Julia Roberts, Richard Gere, Joan Cusack

6 wins & 9 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Julia Roberts	...	Maggie Carpenter
Richard Gere	...	Ike Graham
Joan Cusack	...	Peggy Flemming
Hector Elizondo	...	Fisher
Rita Wilson	...	Ellie Graham
Paul Dooley	...	Walter Carpenter
Christopher Meloni	...	Coach Bob Kelly
Donal Logue	...	Priest Brian Norris
Reg Rogers	...	George 'Bug Guy' Swilling
Yul Vazquez	...	Dead Head Gill Chavez
Jane Morris	...	Mrs. Pressman
Lisa Roberts Gillan	...	Elaine from Manhattan
Kathleen Marshall	...	Cousin Cindy
Jean Schertler	...	Grandma
Tom Hines	...	Cory Flemming

Storyline

Ike Graham has his own by-lined column in USA Today, which he usually uses as a forum to rail against the opposite sex. For his latest column which he writes at the last minute as usual, he, based on some information from a stranger in a bar about a woman he knows of back home, includes the story of still single Hale, Maryland residing Maggie Carpenter, who is known as the "Runaway Bride" since she has been engaged multiple times, but always leaves her betrothed standing at the altar. Because an incensed Maggie complains to the newspaper for factual inaccuracies in her story, Ike is fired, but he realizes that the story still has some life in it and thus decides to go to Hale to do further investigation. He finds that Maggie is again engaged, now for the fourth time, this time to high school football coach and adventurist Bob Kelly, who is confident enough in himself to know he will be different than the previous three grooms. When Maggie finds out that her arch enemy Ike is in town, ...

---

Plot Keywords:

bar | bride | maryland | columnist | coach | 

---

Taglines:

Catch her if you can.

---

Genres:

Comedy | Romance

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for language and some suggestive dialogue

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 July 1999 (USA)

Also Known As:

Noiva em Fuga

Filming Locations:

Baltimore, Maryland, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$70,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£1,649,984 (UK) (8 October 1999)

Gross:

$152,149,590 (USA) (7 January 2000)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures, Touchstone Pictures, Interscope Communications

Technical Specs

Runtime:

116 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Garry Marshall used twins and triples as extras in numerous scenes after noticing the high number of twins in such a small town.

---

Goofs

During one of Maggie's wedding videos that Ike is watching, we see Maggie running away from the altar with the ring bearer (a young boy) being dragged behind her by holding onto the train of her wedding gown. The video he watches has points of view that would suggest at times the bride is holding the video camera and pointing at the boy being dragged, and it shows another point of view as if the little boy is holding the video camera and videotaping the bride running out of the church.

---

Quotes

[Ike and Maggie have just kissed]
Coach Bob Kelly: [to Maggie] If you were imagining me, you did great.
[turns to Ike]
Coach Bob Kelly: What the hell were YOU doing?
Ike Graham: I'm sorry, Bob. She kissed me back.
Maggie Carpenter: I kissed him back.
Coach Bob Kelly: Yeah, I caught that. Want to tell me how long this has been going on?
Maggie Carpenter: About a minute...?
Ike Graham: A little longer for me.
Maggie Carpenter: [smiles] Really?
[...]

---

Crazy Credits

After all of the credits have run, Richard Gere and Julia Roberts are seen throwing snowballs.

---

Connections

References Ink (1996)

---

Soundtracks

"Pa Colombia (Sample)"
by C. Curet Alonso
Performed by Willie Colón
Courtesy of Fania Records

User Reviews

Two words - completely misguided

"Runaway Bride" is one of those films that probably looked good on paper - bankable stars like Julia Roberts and Richard Gere trying to rework their "Pretty Woman" magic in a similar plot - but is so horribly mishandled it became painful to watch.

I rented it because my wife wanted to see it, and besides it was only an extra $1.00 with another 5-day rental at the local video store. How bad could it be for a dollar?

Let's put it this way - paying $1.00 to see this film was a rip-off. I shut off the movie after 30 minutes. My wife, who likes romantic comedies, stopped watching after an hour. The only reason I think she lasted that long was she was on allergy medication and lacked the strength to push the "Stop" button. The last movie I can recall her refusing to finish was "10 Violent Women" (we were in B-Movie/MST3K mode when we rented that one). As you have already determined, lumping "10 Violent Women" and "Runaway Bride" together is a huge red flag for the discriminating moviegoer.

First of all, Richard Gere's character is at best confused, but he is also conniving and mean. He's piggish yet suave - a great combination for a modern romance, I guess. He writes for USA Today, but is surprised when he's fired for not checking the 'facts' of his story. He tries to vindicate himself by getting the real story on Julia Robert's character, but he annoyingly turns up everywhere prying into every last detail of her life - and even though he just skewered her in a nationwide newspaper, everyone including Julia's fiance accepts and loves him. He's not a journalist - he's a stalker.

Julia Roberts is her usual cutesy self. At best, she gets by on charm, and if that's all you require I guess you'll like this film.

Most scenes are predictable and/or require the use of Roger Ebert's infamous "idiot plot." For example - in the first scene in the beauty shop, where I shut off the videotape. I won't give it away for those who want to see this film, but just watch and think about it for one second - would a big-city reporter fall for the towel gag? Why on earth would we buy this as a plot twist?

I found it impossible to identify with or care about any of the characters. Since both main characters and the plot are thin and uninteresting, the smaller aspects of the film might as well be problematic too. Some scenes and dialog, especially those of the minor characters like Julia's family and the ladies at the salon, would be better left on the cutting room floor. Most of the actors either seem uneasy with their dialog or are sleepwalking through stereotypical roles. The first 30 minutes seemed like a continuous product placement ad for USA Today and Z28's. The soundtrack songs are unimaginative - "Maneater" for crying out loud? I felt like I was watching a UPN sitcom instead of a movie.

I wish I could find something positive about this film, but it is only a transparent attempt to sequel "Pretty Woman" and make a bundle. My advice is short: don't see this film. Save yourself the time and money, even if it's only a dollar.

My Rating: 1 out of a possible 10