When a film has great dialogue and the actors to add credibility to the script they are given, then I would say 8 times out of ten I will take that film over big budgeted special effects laden films that are high on the latest CGI technology and short on entertainment. Of course some of the most entertaining films are one that can combine the two(Armageddon, Deep Impact, Star Wars, Raiders of the Lost Ark.) But when you put a film like American Pie or this one up against films like The Haunting and Wild Wild West, I'll take American Pie and Runaway Bride any day of the week and twice on Sundays. This is just a fun film and it is one that entertains right to the very end.
This is not a retread of Pretty Woman and the two leads do not reprise their roles from the aforementioned film. It is directed by Marshall and it has some of the same supporting cast, but that does not make it a replica. Hector Elizondo is a wonderful actor and he adds panache to any film that he takes on. So it is smart to use some of the same formula that made a film such a success. Gere has done some of my favourite performances in film, some of them being Dennis Peck from Internal Affairs and also his character from Primal Fear. You can add Ike to that resume. Here, at first he is someone that you are not so fond of. He seems to have slimy intentions. As all reporters, he seems to be looking for a story and damn who he hurts in the process. But then we get to meet him for real. When he interacts with small town folks, he has a side to him that is humourous, warm, caring, empathetic and charming. And in a way he is almost like Maggie. Because at first when we meet her, there really isn't much to like about her. She is exactly what everyone says she is. She commits to a marriage and then at the most inopportune time, she ditches her fiancee and runs off. That is not someone that I would choose to call a friend. But as the film moves forward, we see some of what it is that has her hesitant about marriage and then we get to see similar traits that Ike has. And we learn to like her. I also liked the fact that the screen play was intelligent enough not to make us hate some of the guys that she was going to marry, especially the fourth one. He seemed like a decent guy that was just a little too into his sports, and she wasn't. But that is no reason to hate a guy, it just means that he isn't quite what she was looking for. And in films, when the screenplay calls for the woman to start disliking the man, it makes the man do things that are just plain ridiculous so that we can start to hate him and the new couple can now get together with the audiences approval. But we don't get that here. The fourth guy never really does anything to be an ass, and he even shows support to the two would be lovers at the end. That was refreshing. I also wanted to mention grandma and Joan Cusack. Grandma had many of the funny lines in the film and she was a joy to watch. And as usual, Cusack steals every second of screen time she has with anyone. It's not just that her part is written homourously, it's that she carries it so well. I love watching Joan Cusack on screen and this is a perfect role for her.
Garry Marshall is great for this kind of film and he doesn't miss a thing in here. He and his wonderful cast do an excellent job of keeping us entertained and humoured for 2 hours and I am glad I saw this film.
Runaway Bride is sweet, romantic and it will make you want to hug your partner after the movie. And if you aren't dating or married, it will make you want to fall in love. It is a great film and I highly recommend it.
