Today’s quick review: Runaway Bride. Desperate to make his deadline, Ike Graham (Richard Gere) pens an unflattering column about Maggie Carpenter (Julia Roberts), a woman who left three grooms at the altar and is now engaged to a fourth. But when Ike’s sloppy reporting costs him his job, he travels to rural Maryland to write about Maggie’s latest wedding, only to find that she’s a much different person than he thought.
Runaway Bride is a romantic comedy starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere. A cynical New York journalist learns to see eye-to-eye with a vivacious country girl with a checkered marital history. Runaway Bride features an original premise, a deliberately constructed romance, and a fun small-town setting. But while it gets most of the formula right, not everyone will appreciate its choice of leads or its breezy take on marriage.
Runaway Bride has a few main points in its favor. The fictional town of Hale, Maryland is almost a character in its own right, a picturesque place full of lively locals. The jokes are light and funny without feeling too forced. The romance is a little peculiar, unfolding gradually as Ike gets to know the real Maggie, but there are some subtle points to their relationship that make it work.
The catch is that Runaway Bride has something of an uphill battle. Roberts and Gere perform well individually, and their sparring over Gere’s article is fun to watch. But as far as romance goes, they are missing the easy chemistry seen in other romantic comedies. Runaway Bride gets their relationship to where it needs to be, but it has to work to do so, instead of letting them fall effortlessly in love.
Runaway Bride is a decent choice for fans of romantic comedy. It does not shake up the formula in any major way, but its unique premise, solid execution, and attention to detail make it satisfying for those who enjoy the conventions of the genre. Steer clear if you are not interested in Gere, Roberts, or small-town charm.
For another romantic comedy starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere, check out Pretty Woman. For another romantic comedy about a cynical journalist and a woman with a zest for weddings, try 27 Dresses. For romantic complications in a rural town, try Sweet Home Alabama.
[5.6 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0163187/). I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for an enjoyable story with a few nice touches.